Addressing Motor Overheating in Valve Actuators

Motor heating during operation is common, especially with frequent switching. A slight increase in temperature is typically normal and not a cause for concern. However, if the motor feels significantly hotter than usual and its temperature does not decrease a few minutes after the valve has stopped, this indicates an abnormal condition requiring immediate attention.

Our patented Extreme Speed Actuator provides an optimal solution to this issue. Test results demonstrate that it reduces motor heating by a factor of 22 compared to traditional products, representing a breakthrough in performance and effectively resolving overheating problems.

To diagnose and address motor overheating, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Cause of Overheating

Overheating generally occurs when the motor remains active for extended periods without adequate cooling.
To confirm if the motor is still working, use a pencil or other tester to check for current. If current is present, the motor is actively working and may be the source of the issue.

2. Investigate Why the Motor Doesn’t Stop

Electric valves typically utilize both mechanical and electronic limit stops:

Electronic Limit Stop: Primarily locks the valve’s position.
Mechanical Limit Stop: Acts as a backup or secondary safeguard.

Determine if the issue lies in one of these systems:

Check the pipeline medium for obstructions. If debris like weeds or sticks becomes lodged in the valve plate, it may prevent the valve from fully opening or closing. This can cause the electronic stop to fail, leading the motor to continue running and overheat.

3. Inspect for Mechanical and Electronic Limit Mismatch

If no impurities are present in the medium:

Investigate whether the mechanical and electronic limits are misaligned. When the motor stops due to the electronic limit, there should be a small buffer distance to the mechanical limit.
If the electronic limit malfunctions, the valve may lock against the mechanical limit, causing the motor to overheat.
Open the actuator cover and verify the position of the microswitch responsible for the electronic limit. If it has shifted from its original calibration, adjust it back to the correct position.

4. Consider Torque Mismatch

Another potential cause is insufficient actuator torque:

If the actuator's torque is too low, the motor may overload while attempting to operate, leading to overheating.
In this case, upgrading to a motor with higher torque is necessary to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Our Extreme Speed Actuator eliminates these overheating challenges by drastically reducing motor heat generation. With innovative design and proven performance, it ensures reliable, efficient operation, even in demanding conditions.

Addressing Motor Overheating in Valve Actuators