| Application Compatibility |
Electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electro-hydraulic actuation selected according to valve size, operating frequency, available utilities, and required fail position. |
Confirm that the actuator is suitable for the valve type, including quarter-turn, multi-turn, linear, control, or on/off service. |
Completed technical datasheet, valve compatibility statement, sizing calculation, and installation drawing. |
Incorrect operation, premature wear, or inability to achieve the required shutoff position. |
High |
| Torque and Thrust Sizing |
Rated output must exceed the valve's breakaway, running, seating, and unseating torque or linear thrust requirements. |
Require a documented safety margin based on actual process conditions rather than selecting an actuator only by valve size. |
Torque or thrust curves, sizing worksheet, safety-factor method, and maximum allowable valve stem load. |
Actuator stalling, valve damage, leakage, or failure to close during an emergency. |
High |
| Mounting Interface |
ISO 5211 is commonly used for quarter-turn actuator-to-valve mounting interfaces; multi-turn applications may require a separate stem nut or gearbox arrangement. |
Verify flange dimensions, drive geometry, stem dimensions, and allowable misalignment before purchase. |
Interface drawings, ISO 5211 compliance statement where applicable, dimensional tolerances, and adapter details. |
Field modification, installation delays, or an actuator that cannot be mounted correctly. |
High |
| Duty Cycle |
On/off actuators and modulating actuators have different operating-frequency and duty-cycle requirements. |
Match the actuator to the number of starts, operating time, cycles per hour, and expected annual service. |
Duty classification, cycle-life data, motor thermal rating, and recommended operating limits. |
Overheating, reduced service life, unstable control, or unplanned downtime. |
High |
| Control and Feedback |
Typical options include local controls, open/close commands, 4–20 mA positioning, limit switches, torque switches, and digital communication. |
Ensure signal types and communication protocols are compatible with the plant control system and available power supply. |
Wiring diagrams, I/O list, control logic description, calibration procedure, and communication compatibility documentation. |
Integration failures, incorrect valve feedback, or loss of remote control. |
High |
| Fail-Safe Function |
Pneumatic or hydraulic actuators can commonly be configured with spring-return action; electric systems may require a backup power or emergency shutdown solution. |
Define whether the valve must fail open, fail closed, or remain in place after loss of power, air, or hydraulic pressure. |
Fail-position calculation, spring-range data, emergency operating time, and loss-of-utility test procedure. |
Loss of containment, unsafe process conditions, or failure to meet emergency shutdown requirements. |
High |
| Environmental Protection |
Ingress protection ratings such as IP66 or IP68 may be relevant for outdoor, washdown, or temporary-submersion conditions. The required rating depends on the installation. |
Specify ambient temperature, humidity, water exposure, dust, salt spray, vibration, altitude, and corrosive atmosphere. |
Protection-rating certificate, temperature limits, corrosion-protection specification, enclosure materials, and environmental test records. |
Water ingress, corrosion, insulation failure, or unreliable operation. |
High |
| Hazardous-Area Suitability |
For explosive atmospheres, equipment may require certification under ATEX, IECEx, or applicable national hazardous-area regulations. |
Match the actuator certification to the zone, gas or dust group, temperature class, equipment protection level, and local legal requirements. |
Current certificates, marking details, installation conditions, cable-entry requirements, and certificate scope. |
Regulatory non-compliance, ignition risk, rejected site inspection, or unsafe operation. |
High |
| Temperature Range |
Operating limits vary according to motor insulation, seals, lubricants, electronics, and enclosure design. |
Evaluate minimum and maximum ambient temperatures, process heat transfer, solar exposure, and low-temperature startup conditions. |
Temperature derating curves, lubricant specification, seal material data, heater requirements, and test reports. |
Seized components, brittle seals, electronic faults, or reduced torque output. |
High |
| Materials and Corrosion Resistance |
Common construction choices include coated carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and corrosion-resistant fasteners. |
Select materials according to atmospheric exposure, process chemicals, marine conditions, and cleaning chemicals. |
Material certificates, coating system details, coating thickness, salt-spray results where relevant, and fastener specifications. |
Loss of mechanical integrity, seized fasteners, coating failure, or shortened service life. |
Medium |
| Power Supply and Efficiency |
Electric actuators may be designed for different AC or DC voltages and frequencies; pneumatic systems require adequate pressure, flow, and air quality. |
Confirm voltage, frequency, starting current, available air pressure, air consumption, and utility reliability at the installation site. |
Electrical load data, air-consumption figures, wiring requirements, utility-quality limits, and power-loss behavior. |
Tripping, slow operation, incomplete strokes, or excessive operating costs. |
High |
| Operating Speed |
Opening and closing time depends on actuator output, valve characteristics, load, control settings, and utility conditions. |
Specify required travel time and acceptable acceleration or deceleration to prevent water hammer or process disturbance. |
Speed curves, operating-time tolerances, flow-control settings, and testing records at the specified load. |
Pressure surges, process instability, or failure to meet emergency response time. |
High |
| Standards and Documentation |
Relevant requirements may include ISO 5211, EN 15714 series, IEC electrical standards, and project-specific specifications. |
Use standards that are recognized in the destination country and listed in the project purchase specification. |
Declaration of conformity, product standards list, inspection and test plan, manuals, drawings, and certificates. |
Approval delays, customs or site issues, and difficulty obtaining operating permits. |
High |
| Quality Management |
A documented quality system supports traceability, repeatable assembly, inspection, and corrective action. |
Assess manufacturing controls, supplier qualification, calibration management, and nonconformance procedures. |
Quality-system certificate, sample inspection records, calibration certificates, serial-number traceability, and audit responses. |
Inconsistent performance, recurring defects, and weak warranty support. |
High |
| Testing and Inspection |
Functional testing should verify travel, torque or thrust, limit settings, feedback signals, enclosure integrity, and fail-safe action when applicable. |
Agree on factory acceptance tests and witness or review requirements before production begins. |
Factory test procedure, inspection and test plan, test reports, calibration records, and photograph or video evidence where required. |
Defects discovered only after delivery or installation. |
High |
| Spare Parts and Service |
Common service items include seals, gaskets, position indicators, limit switches, control modules, solenoids, and lubricants. |
Confirm availability, interchangeability, lead time, and technical support in the destination region. |
Recommended spare-parts list, parts interchangeability statement, service manual, training plan, and regional support contacts. |
Extended downtime and dependence on urgent international shipments. |
Medium |
| Lead Time and Supply Capacity |
Delivery time varies with actuator size, hazardous-area certification, control accessories, customization, and inspection requirements. |
Request a production schedule with design approval, manufacturing, testing, packing, and shipping milestones. |
Written lead-time commitment, capacity statement, production schedule, order-change policy, and delay-notification process. |
Project schedule slippage and additional expediting costs. |
High |
| International Logistics |
Export packaging, customs documentation, transport conditions, and delivery terms affect the total landed cost. |
Compare total cost including packaging, freight, insurance, import duties, taxes, commissioning, and spare parts. |
Commercial invoice, packing list, country-of-origin information, export classification, shipping dimensions, and agreed Incoterms. |
Customs delays, hidden costs, damaged goods, or unexpected import liabilities. |
Medium |
| Warranty and Lifecycle Cost |
Purchase price should be evaluated together with energy use, maintenance, spare parts, downtime exposure, and expected service life. |
Compare warranty conditions, exclusions, response time, commissioning support, and lifecycle operating costs. |
Warranty document, service-level terms, maintenance intervals, total-cost estimate, and failure-claim procedure. |
Higher long-term cost and limited recourse after installation. |
Medium |
| Manufacturer Evaluation Method |
Use a weighted technical-commercial score rather than comparing price alone. |
A practical scoring model may assign the greatest weight to safety, sizing, compliance, quality, service, delivery, and then price. |
Completed compliance matrix, reference-project evidence, sample documents, technical clarification log, and final quotation revision. |
Selection of an inexpensive but unsuitable supplier and increased project risk. |
High |
