Actuators can be classified based on their driving method into the following categories:

1. Electric Actuators

Electric actuators use an electric motor as the power source, converting electrical energy into mechanical motion to drive the valve.

Advantages:

✔ Adjustable speed
✔ High positioning accuracy
✔ Large torque output

Disadvantages:

✖ Thermal effects of the motor may trigger heat protection in high-frequency regulation applications

Best For:

✅ High-precision applications requiring strong controllability

2. Hydraulic Actuators

Hydraulic actuators use hydraulic oil as the power source, converting hydraulic pressure into mechanical motion to drive the valve.

Advantages:

✔ High load-bearing capacity

Disadvantages:

✖ Poor controllability
✖ Large and bulky system
✖ Requires additional hydraulic stations and oil pipelines

Best For:

✅ High-power, high-torque, and heavy-load applications

3. Pneumatic Actuators

Pneumatic actuators use compressed air as the power source, converting air pressure into mechanical motion to drive the valve.

Advantages:

✔ Simple structure
✔ Does not use electricity, making it ideal for hazardous environments (chemical plants, explosive areas, etc.)

Disadvantages:

✖ Low control accuracy
✖ Slow response time
✖ Requires an external air supply system

Best For:

✅ High-frequency applications and explosive environments

4. Electro-Hydraulic Actuators

Electro-hydraulic actuators combine electric and hydraulic actuation, where an electric motor drives a hydraulic pump to convert electrical energy into hydraulic power for valve control.

Advantages:

✔ High load-bearing capacity like hydraulic actuators
✔ High precision and strong control like electric actuators

Disadvantages:

✖ Complex structure
✖ High cost

Best For:

✅ Heavy-load applications requiring both high precision and strong control

How to Choose the Right Actuator?

By understanding these different types of actuators, you can select the most suitable actuator for your specific working conditions.