Electric Butterfly Valves
Premium motorised butterfly valves for industrial flow control, from 2" to 48" with ATEX and WRAS certification options
What Are Electric Butterfly Valves?
Electric butterfly valves (also known as motorised butterfly valves) are quarter-turn flow control devices that combine a disc-shaped closure member with an electric actuator. Designed for on/off and modulating applications, they provide reliable, efficient control across a wide range of industrial processes.
How Do They Work?
An electric actuator drives a stem connected to a circular disc (butterfly) that rotates 90 degrees within the valve body. When the disc is parallel to the flow direction, the valve is fully open with minimal pressure drop. Rotated 90 degrees perpendicular to flow, the disc seals against the body, stopping flow completely. Electric actuators enable precise positioning for throttling applications and remote operation via control signals.
Fast Operation
Quarter-turn design enables rapid opening/closing in seconds
Low Pressure Drop
Minimal flow resistance in the fully open position
Compact Design
Space-efficient for tight installations
Cost-Effective
Lower cost than equivalent gate or globe valves
Types of Electric Butterfly Valves
We supply four main types of butterfly valves, each designed for specific installation and sealing requirements:
Wafer Type
The most compact design, sandwiched between two flanges. No separate mounting lugs required. Ideal for space-constrained applications and lower pressure/temperature services. Lightweight and cost-effective.
Lugged Type
Features lugs on opposite sides for bolting into standard pipe flanges. Can be used between flanges or at end of piping run. Provides more versatile installation options than wafer design. Standard choice for most applications.
Double Flanged Type
Integral female flanges on both ends for bolting directly to mating flanges. Heaviest construction, suitable for high pressure and temperature applications. No separate adapters needed.
High Performance
Advanced seat and disc materials with superior pressure ratings and cycle life. Enhanced sealing for critical applications. Suitable for demanding industrial processes requiring tight shutoff.
Body Materials
The valve body material must be compatible with the fluid being controlled. We supply electric butterfly valves in four primary materials:
| Material | Characteristics | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Cast Iron | Cost-effective, good wear resistance, suitable for ambient to moderate temperatures | Water supply, HVAC, general industrial |
| Ductile Iron | Higher strength than cast iron, better shock resistance, improved reliability | Higher pressure applications, process control |
| Stainless Steel (316L) | Superior corrosion resistance, ideal for marine and aggressive environments | Saltwater, chemical, food processing, marine systems |
| Carbon Steel | High strength and pressure rating, suitable for high-temperature steam | Steam control, high-pressure industrial processes |
Disc & Seat Materials
The internal sealing surfaces are critical to valve performance. We offer various combinations to match fluid type and operating conditions:
Disc Materials
- Stainless Steel 316: Corrosion-resistant, standard choice for most applications
- Bronze: Excellent wear characteristics and corrosion resistance
- Ni-Al Bronze: Premium seawater resistance and enhanced durability for marine applications
Seat Materials
- EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer): General-purpose elastomer, water and steam compatible, -10°C to +80°C
- NBR (Nitrile Rubber): Excellent for oils and fuels, -30°C to +100°C, not suitable for steam
- PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Premium option with superior chemical resistance and temperature range up to +200°C
Size Range
Our electric butterfly valve range covers most industrial piping systems, from small laboratory installations to large industrial pipelines:
Key Features & Certifications
Operation Modes
- On/Off Control: Simple open/close operation for isolation applications
- Modulating Control: Precise throttling for flow regulation and process control
- Failsafe Options: Spring return to safe position on power loss (spring-open or spring-closed)
Certification & Approval
- ATEX Certified: Intrinsically safe designs for hazardous area installations (Zones 1 & 2)
- WRAS Approved: Water Regulations Advisory Scheme compliance for potable water systems
- ISO 9001 & 14001: Manufactured under certified quality and environmental management systems
- DNV Classification: Available for marine and offshore applications
Technical Specifications
Typical specification ranges for our electric butterfly valve range:
| Specification | Range |
|---|---|
| Nominal Diameter | 2" to 48" (DN50 to DN1200) |
| Pressure Rating | PN10 to PN16 (up to PN25 for high-performance models) |
| Temperature Range | -10°C to +100°C (PTFE seats up to +200°C) |
| Leakage Class | Class III to Class V (tight shutoff, near-zero leakage) |
| Actuation Time | 4 to 120 seconds (size and torque dependent) |
| Actuator Power | 110V AC, 230V AC, 24V DC options |
| Manual Override | Hand lever or wrench-drive option available |
| Position Feedback | Limit switch, potentiometer, or proportional output |
| Flange Standard | ANSI, JIS, DIN, or BS specifications |
| Face-to-Face Length | Compact or long-pattern available |
Applications
Electric butterfly valves are used across numerous industries for reliable flow control:
Water Treatment
WRAS-approved models for potable water systems, treatment plants, and distribution networks. Excellent for filtration system isolation and process control.
HVAC Systems
Chilled water and heating medium control in commercial building systems. Efficient modulating control for energy management and occupant comfort.
Process Control
Chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food production. Precise modulating control with fail-safe options for safety-critical applications.
Marine & Offshore
Seawater systems using 316L stainless steel and Ni-Al bronze materials. Ballast control, cooling water, and process piping applications.
Industrial Steam
Steam isolation and throttling for heating and process applications. Carbon steel bodies with PTFE seats for high-temperature operation.
Renewable Energy
Cooling system control in solar thermal installations, geothermal systems, and biomass heating networks.
Why Choose Actuation Valve & Control?
- 30+ Years Experience: Established in 1994, we understand industrial valve applications
- Quality Assurance: ISO 9001 & 14001 certified manufacturing processes
- Expert Support: Technical team available to specify the right valve for your application
- Wide Selection: Comprehensive range of materials, types, and actuation options
- Certification Options: ATEX, WRAS, and DNV certified products for regulated industries
- Competitive Pricing: Cost-effective solutions without compromising quality
- Fast Delivery: Stock of popular sizes for rapid order fulfillment
- After-Sales Support: Technical advice and spare parts availability
Electric Butterfly Valve Buyer's Guide
How to Select an Electric Butterfly Valve
Choosing the right electric butterfly valve requires consideration of several factors:
1. Fluid Type
Water, steam, chemicals, oils, and gases require different seal and body materials. Potable water applications need WRAS approval; seawater applications need corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel or bronze components.
2. Operating Pressure
Identify the maximum system pressure. Butterfly valves typically operate from PN10 to PN16, with high-performance models available to PN25. Higher pressures may require stronger body materials like carbon steel.
3. Temperature Range
Standard EPDM and NBR seats function to 80-100°C. Steam and high-temperature applications up to 200°C require PTFE seating material.
4. Installation Type
Wafer butterfly valves suit space-constrained installations between flanges. Lugged types provide more flexibility. Double-flanged types eliminate adapter hardware but take more space.
5. Control Requirements
Simple on/off isolation uses basic proportional actuators. Modulating applications require advanced control with position feedback. Failsafe functionality may be critical for safety applications.
6. Environmental Compliance
Hazardous area installations require ATEX certification. Potable water systems need WRAS approval. Marine applications may need DNV classification.
Common Questions
What's the difference between butterfly and ball valves? Butterfly valves have lower pressure drop, lower cost, and faster operation (quarter-turn closure). Ball valves offer better tight shutoff and handle higher pressures. Both are quarter-turn designs.
Can butterfly valves be used for throttling? Yes, electric actuators enable precise modulating control. However, butterfly valves are less suitable for sustained throttling in high-velocity applications due to disc erosion.
What maintenance do electric butterfly valves require? Minimal maintenance needed. Check actuator connections annually, and verify position feedback function. Disc and seat inspection recommended every 5 years depending on application severity.
How do I know if I need PTFE seating? PTFE (Teflon) seats provide superior chemical resistance and higher temperature operation (to 200°C). Standard EPDM/NBR sufficient for most water and HVAC applications below 100°C.