ATEX Actuators

ATEX actuators are purpose-built to operate valves in hazardous environments where flammable gases, vapours or dust could ignite. Explosion-proof electric actuators incorporate intrinsic safety measures that limit the energy available in the event of a fault, preventing sparks or arcs from igniting flammable substances.

Key Features

Key features and benefits of ATEX Actuators.
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Key Features

Engineered to prevent ignition in explosive atmospheres by containing sparks and controlling surface temperatures.
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Key Features

Fully compliant with the European ATEX Directive, ensuring safe operation in designated hazardous zones.
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Key Features

Built from durable materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, or coated alloys to withstand harsh industrial environments.
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Key Features

Typically rated IP66 or IP67 to protect against dust, water, and extreme weather conditions.
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Key Features

Available in pneumatic, electric, or electro-hydraulic versions to suit different applications and process requirements.
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Key Features

Can be paired with ATEX-rated switchboxes, positioners, and solenoid valves for complete hazardous-area automation solutions.

V-Tork Pneumatic Actuators

V-Tork actuators are high-performance valve automation solutions designed for reliability, precision, and long service life across a wide range of industrial applications. Manufactured to strict quality standards, they combine robust engineering with smooth, efficient operation, making them a trusted choice for controlling ball valves, butterfly valves, and other quarter-turn valve types. V-Tork offers both pneumatic and electric actuator ranges, giving operators flexibility to choose the best option for their process requirements.

Function: Spring Return, Double Acting
Weight Range (kg): 0.47 to 283.5
Body Materials: Aluminium Alloy, 45# Steel, Advanced Polymer, Stainless Steel, NBR, & Spring Steel
Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, SGC MD 2006/42/EC, ATEX TUV NORD, & Bureau Veritas SIL 3
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Air Torque Pneumatic Actuators

Air Torque pneumatic actuators are precision-engineered valve automation devices designed to deliver reliable and efficient quarter-turn operation for a wide variety of industrial valves. Known for their durability and performance, these actuators use a rack-and-pinion mechanism to provide consistent torque output while maintaining compact dimensions and smooth operation. Manufactured to exacting international standards, Air Torque actuators are a trusted choice for industries that demand high-quality, long-lasting automation solutions.

Function: Spring Return, Double Acting
Body Material: Anodized Aluminium, PTFE Coating, Epoxy Coating, Stainless Steel
Rotation: 90°, 120°, 135°, 180°
Torque Levels: 8-10,000 NM
Operating Media: Dry/Lubricated Air, Inert/Non-Corrosive Gases
Pressure Rating: 2.5 Bar (36 PSI) Minimum – 8 Bar (116 PSI) Maximum
Certifications: SIL3 IEC 61508, ATEX 94/9/EC, GOST, GOST-R, EN 60529 IEC 529
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Actreg Pneumatic Actuators

Actreg pneumatic actuators are high-quality valve automation solutions designed to provide precise, reliable, and long-lasting performance in industrial flow control applications. Utilising a rack-and-pinion design, these actuators deliver consistent torque output and smooth operation for quarter-turn valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves, and plug valves. Actreg’s engineering focus is on durability, efficiency, and ease of integration, making their actuators suitable for a wide range of industries and demanding operating conditions.

Function: Spring Return, Double Acting
Body Material: Anodized Aluminium, Epoxy Coating C3 / C4 / C5
Rotation: 90°
Torque Levels: 5-6,500 NM
Operating Media: Dry/Lubricated Air, Inert/Non-Corrosive Gases
Pressure Rating: 2.5 Bar (36 PSI) Minimum – 8 Bar (116 PSI) Maximum
Certifications: SIL3, ATEX 94/9/EC, GOST
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Hytork Pneumatic Actuators

Hytork actuators are available with full ATEX approval, making them a trusted choice for industries operating in hazardous areas where explosive gases, vapours, or dusts are present. Built with safety and compliance at the forefront, Hytork’s pneumatic actuators are designed and certified to meet stringent ATEX standards, ensuring reliable valve automation without introducing ignition risks. 

Function: Spring Return, Double Acting
Body Material: Powder Coated LM25 Aluminium Casting
Rotation: 90°
Torque Levels: 19-3232NM, (167 to 28500 lbf.in)
Operating Media: Dry/Lubricated Air, Inert/Non-Corrosive Gases
Pressure Rating: Max 8.3 Bar-Pneumatic/120 PSI
Certifications: ATEX, PED, Machine Directive, TR010, SIL
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Explore the Industries We Serve

From oil and gas to pharmaceuticals, food processing, water treatment, and beyond — our automation solutions are trusted across a wide range of industries. Each sector has its own challenges, and we provide products and expertise tailored to meet those specific demands. Click below to discover the industries we work with and see how our solutions can optimise performance, safety, and reliability in your operations.

Why are they Important?

ATEX-rated actuators are important because they enable safe and reliable valve automation in hazardous environments where explosive gases, vapours, or dust may be present. In these settings, a standard actuator could produce sparks, heat, or electrical faults that might ignite the atmosphere, leading to catastrophic incidents. ATEX-rated actuators are specifically designed and certified to prevent this risk, ensuring compliance with strict European safety regulations.

They allow industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food processing to maintain efficient, automated control of their processes without compromising safety. By combining robust construction, certified protection, and reliable performance, ATEX-rated actuators protect both people and assets while supporting smooth and continuous operations in some of the most demanding environments.

Where would you find them?

You would find ATEX-rated actuators in industrial facilities where valves or equipment must be operated within hazardous zones that carry a risk of explosion. Common locations include oil and gas refineries, offshore drilling platforms, petrochemical plants, and chemical manufacturing facilities handling volatile substances.

They are also used in pharmaceutical production sites where flammable solvents are present, food and beverage processing plants with combustible dust, grain storage and milling facilities, wastewater treatment plants with methane-rich environments, and mining operations where explosive gases or dust may accumulate. In all these applications, ATEX-rated actuators provide safe, compliant, and dependable automation in conditions where standard actuators could pose a serious safety hazard.

Frequently Asked Questions

An ATEX-rated actuator is a device that operates valves or other equipment in hazardous areas while meeting ATEX certification requirements to prevent ignition risks from explosive gases, vapours, or dust.

They allow safe and reliable valve automation in explosive atmospheres, ensuring compliance with legal safety standards and protecting personnel and equipment.

They are available in pneumatic, electric, and electro-hydraulic versions, each designed with explosion-proof or intrinsically safe components.

Industries include oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage processing, mining, and wastewater treatment.

They can be certified for use in ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 (gases/vapours) or Zone 21 and Zone 22 (dust), depending on the specific model.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisYes, most are designed with robust, weatherproof enclosures and high ingress protection ratings (IP66/IP67) for outdoor use in hazardous locations.cing elit. Curabitur scelerisque tincidunt egestas. Donec tempor, lorem eu aliquet imperdiet, nisi tellus imperdiet erat, et ullamcorper nibh diam at orci. Integer placerat arcu pretium, condimentum ante et.

Many use explosion-proof enclosures, while others are designed with intrinsically safe control circuits to eliminate ignition sources.

Pneumatic models use compressed air for actuation, which is often preferred in explosive atmospheres, while electric versions are built with sealed explosion-proof housings.

Yes, they should be inspected regularly for sealing integrity, wiring condition, and mechanical performance to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.

Yes, provided the mounting interface matches and the installation follows ATEX guidelines for hazardous areas.

Look for ATEX markings (e.g., II 2G Ex d IIC T6) and, if required, additional IECEx or regional approvals to ensure full compliance.

Yes, they can be fitted with ATEX-rated switchboxes, positioners, or feedback devices to integrate with plant control and monitoring systems.

FAQ

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Atex Actuators