An electric butterfly valve is an automated flow-control device widely used in water treatment, HVAC, chemical processing, oil & gas, and many industrial systems. By integrating an electric actuator with a butterfly valve, it enables precise, reliable, and remote control of fluid flow. With the rapid development of industrial automation, electric butterfly valves have become one of the most important valve types for intelligent pipeline systems.
What Is an Electric Butterfly Valve?
An electric butterfly valve consists of two main components:
- Butterfly Valve Body – Includes the valve disc, seat, and body. It can be concentric, double offset, or triple offset depending on sealing performance requirements.
- Electric Actuator – A motor-driven device that controls the valve disc’s rotation through electrical signals.
The actuator receives control commands from a PLC, DCS, or manual switch and then rotates the valve disc to open, close, or modulate flow.
How Does an Electric Butterfly Valve Work?
The working principle is simple:
- When the electric actuator receives a signal (AC/DC power, analog 4–20mA, or digital control), it drives a motor.
- The motor, through reduction gears, rotates the valve stem.
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The valve disc turns 0–90 degrees:
- 0° (Closed): The disc seals against the seat to stop flow.
- 90° (Open): The disc is fully parallel to the flow, minimizing resistance.
- Intermediate Angles: Provides precise throttling control.
Because the operation is entirely motor-driven, an electric butterfly valve offers high precision and steady control performance.
Key Features of Electric Butterfly Valves
1. Accurate Flow Control
Electric actuators allow precise positioning, ideal for applications requiring fine adjustment of flow, pressure, or temperature.
2. Fully Automated Operation
Supports remote control, centralized control, and system integration with automation platforms.
3. Stable and Reliable Performance
Electric butterfly valves offer smooth opening/closing with no water hammer and minimal vibration.
4. Wide Material Options
Body, disc, and seat materials can be customized:
- Body: Ductile iron, stainless steel, carbon steel
- Disc: Stainless steel, aluminum bronze, nickel-plated
- Seat: EPDM, NBR, PTFE, Viton
This ensures compatibility with different media, from clean water to corrosive chemicals.
5. Low Maintenance
Electric actuators require minimal lubrication and offer long service life compared with pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
6. Energy Efficiency
Consumes power only during operation, not while holding position, making it suitable for continuous-automation systems.
Types of Electric Butterfly Valves
1. On/Off Electric Butterfly Valve
Designed for full open/close control, often used in water supply and fire protection pipelines.
2. Modulating Electric Butterfly Valve
Allows intermediate positioning for precise flow regulation, ideal for HVAC and process control.
3. Wafer Electric Butterfly Valve
Compact design for installation between flanges.
4. Lug Electric Butterfly Valve
Threaded lug design suitable for end-of-line service.
5. Flanged Electric Butterfly Valve
Provides strong sealing and easy installation for large pipelines.
Advantages of Electric Butterfly Valves
- High accuracy and repeatability
- Easy integration with intelligent control systems
- Suitable for remote and automated operations
- Quiet, clean, and environmentally friendly
- No need for air compressors (compared with pneumatic systems)
- Lower long-term operation cost
Applications of Electric Butterfly Valves
1. Water & Wastewater Treatment
Provides reliable flow isolation and modulation for clean water and sewage systems.
2. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
Used extensively in chilled water, cooling tower systems, and temperature control loops.
3. Chemical and Petrochemical
Handles corrosive and hazardous media with appropriate material selection.
4. Food & Beverage Processing
PTFE-lined designs ensure hygiene and contamination-free operation.
5. Power Generation
Used for cooling water, ash handling, and auxiliary system flow control.
6. Industrial Automation
Ideal for systems requiring remote monitoring and automatic control.
How to Select the Right Electric Butterfly Valve
When choosing an electric butterfly valve, consider the following factors:
- Power Supply: AC220V, AC110V, AC380V, DC24V
- Control Signal: On/off, 4–20mA, 0–10V, Modbus/Profibus
- Valve Type: Concentric, double offset, triple offset
- Working Pressure: PN10, PN16, PN25
- Valve Size: DN50–DN2000
- Material Compatibility: Based on medium, temperature, and corrosion level
- Installation Environment: Indoor, outdoor, explosion-proof
Choosing the right actuator-valve combination ensures long service life and stable performance.
Why Choose an Electric Butterfly Valve?
An electric butterfly valve is an ideal choice for industries requiring precise control, automated operation, and dependable performance. With customizable materials and advanced actuators, electric butterfly valves support modern industrial automation and provide long-term reliability in various fluid handling systems.
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