Electric motor actuators (also called electric motor operators) are used to open, close, and modulate a range of water-control gates and valves in water and wastewater plants and distribution systems. They are of great use in automating systems and reducing operator exposure to dangerous environments.

DJ Gongol & Associates represents EIM Controls and their lines of electro-mechanical and all-digital electric motor actuators for water, wastewater, and stormwater projects in Iowa and Nebraska. EIM actuators are good for use on valves of many types and sizes, as well as water-control gates like slide and sluice gates. The smallest can be used on valves just 2" in size, and the largest are virtually unlimited in potential capacity.

As communities try to find ways to cut costs and do more with less, many will wisely turn to automation to reduce the number of labor-hours required to do the work of running plants and collection/distribution systems.

Opening and closing some gates and valves can require scores or even hundreds of turns, and that takes time. An electric motor actuator can do the same work faster than a person can, and without the physical effort. Consider the number of communities already short on staff and looking for part-time and contract operators. As the water/wastewater workforce shrinks and grows older (on average), a reasonable investment in automation now will make it easier to meet the changing workforce needs of tomorrow.

A thoughtful investment in electric actuators can pay off nicely: Since they're capital equipment, they can be purchased with low-interest funding and amortized over the course of many years of useful life. No matter how long it stays in service, an actuator isn't going to ask for a raise or need you to chip in for higher pension contributions or rising health-care premiums.

We like several things about EIM's products, not least of which is their use of heavy-duty ductile-iron cases. EIM has stayed true to long-term value and still builds their actuators in the USA.

EIM actuators are available for both major application types:

• Quarter-turn operation for ball valves, plug valves, and butterfly valves
• Multi-turn operation for gate valves, globe valves, check valves, slide gates, sluice gates, and weir gates

Your options and choices include:

• Electro-mechanical controls
• All-digital controls
• Remote controls
• VFD input capability
• Data logging
• 4-20 mA inputs
• Digital position indication
• Class 1, Div 1 enclosures
• NEMA 4 enclosures

Need more information? Share the details of your project and we'll be happy to help.