Flow control
Replacement valve or actuator: identify which part you need
A valve controls the process fluid; an actuator drives the valve. Determine whether the failure concerns the valve body, its operator, control hardware or the supply before ordering a replacement.
Evidence boundary. Nominal pipe size alone is not enough. Keep body, trim, flow coefficient, actuator, control, pressure, and material evidence visible.
Identify the correct replacementPart-number and service checks
Identify the assemblyRecord the complete valve and actuator nameplates separately, their revisions and any positioner or solenoid model. Note the existing valve type and motion: quarter-turn, multi-turn or linear stroke.
Compare valve requirementsVerify pressure and temperature ratings, port or flange connection, flow capacity, seat and body materials, media and required shutoff duty. Nominal pipe size alone is not enough.
Compare actuator requirementsConfirm output torque or thrust across travel, stroke or rotation, mounting interface, air or electrical supply, control signal, feedback and fail-safe position.
Check system safetyReview the required fail action, environment, hazardous-area approvals and control behavior against the manufacturer's documentation. A physically mountable actuator is not automatically functionally compatible.
Items covered01 · 16 component types
- Ball valves
- Butterfly valves
- Gate valves
- Globe valves
- Check valves
- Diaphragm valves
- Needle valves
- Plug valves
- Solenoid valves
- Control valves
- Pressure-relief valves
- Pressure regulators
- Pneumatic valve actuators
- Electric valve actuators
- Valve positioners
- Valve limit switches
What to capture02
Valve or actuator model and revisionRecord this before searching for a substitute.
Valve type, size, Cv, pressure class, and connectionRecord this before searching for a substitute.
Body, trim, seat, packing, and seal materialsRecord this before searching for a substitute.
Actuator type, torque, stroke, voltage, and fail positionRecord this before searching for a substitute.
Fluid, temperature, cycle rate, and approvalsRecord this before searching for a substitute.
What must match03
Pressure, temperature, and flow ratingConfirm it against the original equipment, duty, and source documentation.
Materials and fluid compatibilityConfirm it against the original equipment, duty, and source documentation.
Face-to-face or mounting dimensionsConfirm it against the original equipment, duty, and source documentation.
Actuator torque, stroke, and controlsConfirm it against the original equipment, duty, and source documentation.
Fail-safe action, certification, and orientationConfirm it against the original equipment, duty, and source documentation.
Common searches04
What valve replaces this model?
How do I identify a solenoid valve?
What actuator fits this valve?
Can a valve with the same pipe size replace mine?
Authoritative starting points05
Source-backed field guides1 guide