Model 57-109: Class I Div 1 Fail-Safe Electric Valve Actuator
The Harold Beck Model 57-109 is an explosion-proof, Class I Division 1 electric valve actuator designed for hazardous location valve automation where predictable emergency positioning matters. An integral stored-energy fail-safe system drives the valve to a user-defined safe position on loss of primary power, supporting ESD valve automation and critical isolation valve applications in oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical processing environments.
When to specify the 57-109
- • Hazardous location actuation. Use when your actuator must be rated for Class I Div 1 environments and installed near volatile gases or vapors, including process units and tank farms.
- • Fail-safe valve control. Use when the valve must move to a defined safe position during a power outage, supporting emergency shutdown, emergency isolation, and safety-critical service.
- • Electric alternative to pneumatic fail-safe. Use when you want to avoid instrument air infrastructure, air quality management, and recurring pneumatic maintenance while maintaining a defined fail position.
Fail-safe electric actuation for ESD and critical isolation
The 57-109 includes an on-board stored-energy system that provides the power needed to move the valve to a defined safe position when primary supply power is lost. This supports hazardous location fail-safe valve control without relying on external UPS hardware or plant air systems. For engineers, the selection criteria typically include fail direction, available emergency torque, and repeatable stroke time under worst-case process conditions.
- • Defined safe position. Configure fail open or fail closed behavior to match your process hazard analysis and shutdown philosophy.
- • Repeatable emergency action. Specify and publish fail-safe stroke time so ESD expectations are clear for commissioning and functional testing.
- • Hazardous area install. Keep cable entry and wiring practices aligned with the actuator listing and site standards for Class I Div 1 installations.
Modulating precision in a rugged explosion-proof package
For throttling and tight process control, the 57-109 is built for high-precision modulation while maintaining explosion-proof construction for hazardous locations. A robust drive train and diagnostic feedback help reduce unplanned downtime and support stable valve positioning in demanding oil and gas and petrochemical service.
- • Continuous modulation. 100% duty cycle capability helps prevent overheating during frequent positioning and process control.
- • Mechanical reliability. A maintenance-focused design reduces service interventions compared to systems that depend on air quality or frequent component replacement.
- • Commissioning clarity. Provide published wiring diagrams, I O options, and feedback signals so integrators can standardize panels and test procedures.
Typical applications
- • Emergency shutdown valves. Fail-safe electric actuator for ESD valve automation in Class I Div 1 hazardous areas.
- • Critical isolation valves. Quarter-turn valve actuator for isolation, blowdown, and vent service where safe positioning is required on power loss.
- • Hazardous location modulating control. Explosion-proof modulating electric actuator for throttling service in oil and gas, chemical, and petrochemical facilities.
Hazardous location and safety features
- • Class I Div 1 construction. Designed for hazardous location installations for volatile gas and vapor environments.
- • Integrated fail-safe backup. On-board stored-energy system supports power-loss return to the predefined safe position.
- • Flexible power options. AC and DC configurations support brownfield retrofits and OEM skid integration.
- • Quarter-turn valve automation. Designed for quarter-turn valve actuation with stable positioning for on off and modulating duty.
- • Diagnostics and feedback. Sensor feedback and diagnostics support troubleshooting, proof testing, and operational visibility.
AVAILABLE TORQUE AND TIMING COMBINATIONS FOR THE MODEL 57-109
Beck’s DCM provides modulating control of the actuator in response to standard control system signals including 4-20mA, Modbus, Direct AC control, and contact closure operation.
A few notable features include:
- Suitable for continuous operation in temperatures from -58º F to 185º F (-50° to 85° C).
- Provides unmatched control for any application from open/close to precision modulation
- Multiple, easy-to-use configuration methods including local pushbuttons, HART, Modbus RTU and RS 232 serial communications port standard on all DCM’s. An optional Modbus TCP interface is also available.
- Configurable stall and (optional) over-torque protection of the actuator and valve.
- Configurable full-stroke speed as fast as 7 seconds for 90 degrees travel
- Configurable control performance features including:
- Minimum positioning Stepsize down to 0.1 degree
- Full travel degrees rotation
- Configurable status LED’s
- Configurable alarming and alarm annunciation
- Stored actuator statistics and diagnostics
The Group 57’s non-wearing contactless position sensing technology will provide reliable control feedback for many years without any required maintenance.
- Sensor provides the DCM with a continuous feedback signal proportional to the position of the actuator’s output shaft.
- Utilizes magnetic vector sensing technology directly connected to the output shaft.
- No alignment or calibration required ever.
- A 4–20 mA position feedback signal is generated for remote indication.
FACTORY CALIBRATION
All Beck drives are set-up and calibrated to the customer specification. No electrical adjustments are required before installation. Additional features available on Beck control electronics:
