Actuator Working Group

Here at BVAA we’ve been quite busy preparing for revisions of some of our most important standards. As ever we do this by meeting regularly in conjunction with the BSI PSE/18/5 group, which comprises essentially the same experts.

ISO 5210 & 5211 Attachment Standards

The joint BVAA/BSI working group were able to meet and prepare our own proposed revisions of ISO 5210 ‘Industrial Valves – Multi turn actuator attachments’ and its part-turn equivalent, ISO 5211. Since these are widely used, and both also adopted as ‘BS’ (British) and ‘EN’ (European) standards, they are hugely important projects to us and our valve manufacturer colleagues.

The BVAA-prepared texts were adopted by BSI, submitted as UK proposals, and formed a significant part of the discussions in ISO/TC153 /WG1 in which we participated. Many details of the texts were subsequently examined and additional content discussed. A provisional target of February 2016 has been agreed for circulation of the texts for formal voting.

The key changes are:
ISO 5210 - inclusion of additional flanges to extend the torque/thrust range: F05 (20Nm / 10kN), F48 (20,000Nm / 2,000kN) and F60 (40,000Nm / 4,000kN). New couplings “C” and “D” for transmitting torque only have been added along with defined linear outputs.

ISO 5211 also has new flanges F80 (500,000) and F100 (1,000,000 Nm) and new couplings for involute spines, bi-square and an improved flat head design coupling. Informative annexes on the calculation basis for transmittable torques/ thrust and sizing have been added to both standards.

ISO New work item proposal from China and Korea for an electric actuator standard.

The proposal is limited to isolating duty electric actuators only and is unclear in its intent. It appears that they are indicating a lower specified life test and duty requirement. TC153/WG1 have tasked them to provide a clearer NWI proposal for circulation and voting in the first quarter 2016.

CEN Standards
The actuator group within CEN – TC69/ WG1/SG10 has been reformed due to several new work item proposals and our group remains heavily involved. The proposed revision of EN 15714-2 ‘Industrial valves - Actuators - Part 2 : electric actuators for industrial valves – Basic requirements’ to make it consistent with another largely unrelated water valve standard, was cancelled.

The study of possible conflicts between the EN 15714 series and the ISO 12490 pipeline valve actuator standard has continued as it is proposed that ISO12490 be adopted by CEN. The fundamental differences in design, and indeed operation of these two types of actuator - chiefly regular process operation versus very infrequent pipeline isolation operation - was deemed sufficient not to support the adoption of ISO 12490 directly as a ‘part 5’ of the EN 15714 series. Consequently it is proposed that a Part 5 will be drafted to indicate cross references and exclusions.

A proposed EN 15714- part 6 covering linear pneumatic and hydraulic actuators is also being mooted and early UK comments have already been submitted via BVAA and BSI. Work on these two aspects will commence in 2016

Valve Gearboxes standard
It’s gratifying to note that the BVAA gearboxes guide was used as a basis for the original content of a proposed new EN standard on gearboxes due for development in 2016. However, as many years have passed since this was first drafted, our working group discussed ways in which to improve this content, including rationalising duty classes, torque bands, locking arrangements, etc. An updated draft has been submitted to CEN.

Sub Sea Actuators
The ISO/TC67/SC2/WG18 project on “Actuator mechanical integrity and sizing for subsea pipeline valves” (ISO 16441) remains halted largely due to international political reasons outside the BVAA’s control. API however continues to develop their standard ‘API 6D SSX’ for sub sea actuators. The meetings are helpfully held concurrently with the associated API 6DSS meetings for sub sea valves. UK delegates are occasionally able to attend these meetings, supported by BVAA travel funding, or alternatively submit comments for consideration. Such is the importance of these standards, a new dedicated sub sea ‘Technical Expert Group’ has been formed at BVAA led by my colleague Chris Williamson (BEL Valves).

I would like to close with my sincere thanks to my fellow working group members who give so freely of their time. Also to BVAA, particularly Martin Greenhalgh and Rob Bartlett for their support. My thanks also to BSI’s Charlie Duncombe, for his skill in helping us prepare drafts and comments destined for the international standards groups.

Published: 17th February 2016