For years, pneumatic actuation dominated the heavy commercial and industrial arenas. Relying on the inefficient process of converting electricity into compressed air and a leak-prone distribution network of piping, these systems could be expensive to install and maintain.
Thanks to innovations in control systems, today’s electric actuation systems remove the inefficiency and cost of pneumatic actuators and allow for a more seamless, automated control system at facilities — ultimately resulting in cost savings for building owners.
For municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities in search of time and cost savings, Hayward Flow Control’s HRS Series electric actuators offer a dependable, customizable solution.
The HRS series actuators are industrial quarter-turn electric actuation products suited for both thermoplastic and metal applications with a torque range of 300 lbf-in. to 177,000 lbf-in. They’re offered from low voltage at 12 vac/vdc to complete three-phase 575v. Within the HRS series, Hayward offers 16 different torque rated units and 9 different frame sizes.
Whereas many electric actuators in the marketplace are sold in more of a bare bones offering, Hayward offers a full-featured actuator as a base model. The units are standard with a NEMA 4x/IP67 enclosure and come with a color-coded and gradient marked raised position indicator that's viewable from 360 degrees. They also fully comply with ISO 5211 standards.
In addition to the base product, Hayward offers more than 147 options to the product, including battery backup fail safe systems, local control operator systems and custom electrical control interface solutions.
“The product is offered everywhere from the base, bread and butter open-closed 90 degree quarter turn, up to a custom configured unit to meet a wide array of application requirements,” says Jeff Jones, Business Development Manager.
The fail-safe battery backup component provides complete operational security and reliability for true loss of power fail-safe protection. When a facility loses power, the battery backup system takes control and will position the actuator to the preselected position of the user’s choice. Upon return of the building’s main power, the backup system will automatically return control of the actuator to the building control system.
“That is extremely important when you deal with chemical storage,” Jones says. “When power goes out, gravity is still there, so you need to be able to isolate and control your process to avoid any potential damage or danger to the operators.”
The epicyclic design of the HRS Series means no clutch is needed to operate the manual override system, eliminating a high-wear and high-failure component that many actuators in the marketplace rely on. This also creates a safe environment for the operator, who can operate the hand wheel at any time without having to engage a clutch.
Product Manager Brian Wheeler says with declutchable units, operators don’t have to remember to put the actuator back in service after an override. In a factory with 300 actuators, that can be quite the task.
“Using a clutchless manual override system such as our HRS Series, you can override the valves and when the power comes back on, they automatically go back online without any interaction,” Wheeler says. “It’s a very simple process.”
When it comes to local control stations, Hayward offers four different styles varying from knob control to push button control to LED or LCD interface screens. All are equipped with illuminated visual indicators of power and alarms.
Designed to provide years of service in the most rugged, harsh industrial environments, Hayward’s actuators are suited for chemical processing, waste and water treatment, power generation, marine, oil and gas and more industries.
As for client feedback on the HRS series, Jones says they hear the actuators are easy to install and wire, they’re durable and they’re highly energy efficient. Ultimately, Jones says Hayward does far more than just provide a high quality electric actuation line. With a vast knowledge of control and automation systems, Hayward works with end users to provide the best solution to meet their needs.
“The actuator is obviously a well-engineered, high-performing industrial grade actuation product — that goes without saying. It's the support service, the application services, the technical knowledge and resources that Hayward brings to the table in conjunction with the hardware.”
