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Motorised control valves and actuators

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Danfoss Motorized Control Valves (MCV) for district heating and cooling, HVAC and central heating systems ensure stable and accurate control of water, glycol mixtures and steam. This in turn improves temperature control and reliability while increasing the energy efficiency of the system. All of which adds up to enhanced comfort for the end-user. The MCV range comprises both regular and pressure-relieved control valves designed to operate in the most demanding applications.

Danfoss offers a comprehensive range of control valves and actuators for virtually every application: central and decentralized heating systems, domestic hot-water systems, district heating and steam.

For maximum versatility, our control valves and actuators come in different sizes, materials and connection options. They also offer a range of different functions and features to suit each specific application. With a global reputation for quality and reliability, our latest solutions are available at different price points to suit the budgetary needs of every project.

Years of customer insights and product development for district heating, HVAC and central heating applications have enabled us to create a flawless product that perfectly complies with all current requirements and future trends. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Excellent control performance
    The control capabilities of the MCV range are based on different characteristics, including split characteristics for DHW applications using heat exchangers, as well as linear and logarithmic characteristics. This means that even the most difficult control requirements in district heating can be met, while still providing instantaneous hot water. For DHW systems, the low slope of the split characteristic in this part of the stroke ensures stable control of the valve in the critical area near the closing position. On the other hand, the steeper part of the curve (large flow) enables fast and stable control.
  • Proven lifetime cost effectiveness
    Thanks to easy selection, installation, commissioning and maintenance, Danfoss MCVs simply cost you less time, money and effort.
  • Easy handling and installation
    Danfoss MCVs are easy to handle, easy to operate and easy to understand. Quick connection to actuator and valve is enabled by a threaded coupling, which also allows for rotation after mounting. External LED visualization and signaling save time and effort during installation and commissioning of MCVs.
  • Increased reliability and operational safety
    All new products feature built-in thermic and overload protection of the electromotor. This radically reduces the risk of operational failure in either the valve or the system as a whole.

Features and benefits

  • Easy selection, installation, commissioning and maintenance mean less time, money and effort

  • Excellent control performance, even in the most demanding systems

  • Increased reliability and operational safety due to built-in thermic and overload protection of the electromotor.

Discover the renewed AME actuators

The AME 10/13, 20/23, and 30/33 series of light- and medium-duty modulating actuators have been upgraded with new electronics for greater flexibility, higher precision, and faster commissioning. Learn more about the key enhancements and compatibility features.

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FAQ

What is the difference between AMV and AME actuators?

AMV or AME are designations that describe how the actuator is controlled. AMV means that the actuator is either 2-point or 3-point controlled, AME means that the actuator has modulating control. This is a very important difference since not every type of control is appropriate for every application.
Modulating, or AME actuators, are appropriate for precise regulation of the flow as they also have feedback signal and can position themselves very precisely in accordance to the signal from the controller. Furthermore, AME (sometimes also called the electronic version of actuators) actuators provide more features on DIP switches and provide much more flexibility and control variations for the customer.
AMV actuators usually by default have no active return signal, unless there is a potentiometer used inside, and are not so precise when it comes to the flow control, but still offer a very good solution for customer requirements.

What is a suitable replacement for an AME 85 actuator?

A suitable replacement could currently be AME 655 or AME 55 actuators. In future there will also be a AME 685 actuator which can be used.
See the technical details for AMB 162/182 actuators: https://store.danfoss.com/c/4113

Can the actuator also work on DC voltage? What can be done, if it doesn't work?

Most actuators do not work on AC and DC voltage because they have synchronous motors technology. Now new BLDC motors are coming and this technology can work on AC or DC actuators due to the so-called serial connection between stator and rotor of the electric motor.
This kind of actuators, like AME 435 and AME 655/658/659, are able to work with AC or DC voltage but only for 24V in one or 230V in another version of the actuator, not both at the same time. If you have DC voltage in the system and have an AC actuator, we recommend to look for a suitable replacement or install an inverter in your system.
See the technical details for AME 435 actuators: https://store.danfoss.com/c/4109?q=%3Arelevance%3Adanfoss_producttypehierarchydesc%3AAMV+435%3Adanfoss_producttypehierarchydesc%3AAME+435&text=

How does AUX switch work?

AUX switches are additional switches in the actuator that send signals to the recipient (can be other actuator, boiler, pump or controller) when the certain point of the actuator position is passed, this usually means when actuator end positions are reached (totally open or closed).

How does the safety function, or the so-called spring return function, work and what does SD and SU mean?

The safety function is a feature of the actuators, which is mandatory by law or customer requirement, to close or open the valve in case of a power failure. It often happens that the power is out and the valve is therefore not under control anymore. This could lead to catastrophic consequences for the application/industry and most importantly for the safety of everyone in the vicinity of the valve as it can have more than 130°C of pressurized water in the system.
The safety function enables you to close or open the valve automatically (via the spring inside the actuator) each and every time the power goes out. SD means spring down, which will move the actuator to lowest end position, SU means spring up which will move the actuator to highest end position. You can find both versions in the Danfoss portfolio.

Can we change the characteristic of the actuator?

The answer is YES. Usually, actuators have linear characteristic, but with the new AME actuators like e.g. in the AME 435 and AME 655/658/659 actuators, you can change the characteristic of the actuator with DIP switch settings. For more information about this, please look in the data sheets.

Can actuators be driven by voltage or current signal?

All the AME actuators have the possibility to choose either voltage input signal from the controller (U) or current signal from the controller (I) on a DIP switch. There is also an additional option to choose that the actuator either will work from the 0(2)-10V or the 0(4)-20mA signal from the controller.

Is the speed of the actuator fixed and permanent, or can I modify/change it?

The speed of the actuators that are using synchronous motors is fixed on a frequency that is used in the supply 230V AC voltage. You can increase the speed of the actuator, if you use a 60Hz supply voltage. This solution is, however, not recommended as you will not be able to know how much faster the actuator is actually moving.
We recommend that you choose Danfoss AME actuators with BLDC motors technology as they have speed selection possibility on DIP switch. For example AME 655/658/659 actuators can move at either 2 s/mm or 6 s/mm, depending on the setting on the DIP switch. To check which actuators have selectable speed, please contact our sales organization.

If the stroke of the valve is shorter than stroke of the actuator, what do I do - how do I commission the actuator?

It often happens that the actuator has larger stroke than the valve. Danfoss actuators have a self-commissioning protocol where they find the end positions of the valve on which they are mounted automatically. The actuator remembers these positions itself and adapts its stroke to the valve. This is how a lot of time and trouble can be saved when installing / commissioning the actuator on the valve.

Do I need to use an adapter for the combination of VF 2/3 DN65-80 and AMV(E) 56?

Yes, an adapter is needed for this combination due to a different design of valve neck for the range DN 65-80. The needed adapter for the actuator to be able to be mounted on the valve is 065Z0312.

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