The Rotork RC range is a family of light-duty pneumatic (fluid power) actuators, originally sold under the "Remote Control" brand and now part of Rotork. Rotork RC actuators are compact, quarter-turn pneumatic actuators used to automate ball valves, butterfly valves and dampers across process, water, marine and general industrial applications. The best-known model is the Rotork RC200 compact scotch-yoke actuator.
The Rotork RC200 is a compact scotch-yoke pneumatic actuator designed for quarter-turn (90°) valve automation. The RC200 range delivers high torque in the end positions with high efficiency and low air consumption, making it a popular choice for automating ball and butterfly valves. It is supplied in double-acting and spring-return versions and carries a three-year warranty.
The Rotork RC200 pneumatic actuator is available in both double-acting (DA) and spring-return (SR) configurations. Double-acting RC200 actuators use air pressure to drive the valve in both directions, while spring-return versions use air to stroke one way and pre-tensioned springs to fail-safe the valve open or closed on loss of air. Manual override variants (DAM/SRM) with an M1 handwheel are also available.
Rotork RC200 actuators automate quarter-turn valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves, plug valves and rotary dampers. Valve mounting follows ISO 5211 / DIN 3337 dimensions and connections meet international standards, so the RC200 bolts directly to most quarter-turn valves without special adaptors. This makes the Rotork RC range a straightforward retrofit or new-build pneumatic actuator solution.
The Rotork RC200 range spans multiple frame sizes — RC210, RC220, RC230, RC240, RC250, RC260, RC265, RC270 and RC280 — giving a wide torque band to suit small through to large quarter-turn valves. Because the RC200 is a scotch-yoke actuator, torque is highest at the start and end of the stroke, which matches the seating and unseating torque demand of most ball and butterfly valves. Contact us with your valve torque and air supply pressure and we'll size the correct RC200 model.
The RC200 uses a scotch-yoke mechanism because it produces high torque in the end positions, exactly where quarter-turn valves need the most force to break seat friction and seal tightly. Compared with a rack-and-pinion actuator, the scotch-yoke Rotork RC200 delivers a torque curve better matched to ball and butterfly valve duty, with high efficiency and low air consumption. This is a key reason the Rotork RC range is specified for demanding on/off valve automation.
Yes — the Rotork RC200 is certified to ATEX 2014/34/EU for use in explosive atmospheres and is built with an anodised aluminium housing for corrosion resistance and durability. The RC200 is also PED 2014/68/EU compliant and SIL 3 capable to IEC 61508, so it suits safety-related and emergency shutdown (ESD) applications. This makes the Rotork RC pneumatic actuator well suited to oil and gas, petrochemical and hazardous-area installations.
The standard Rotork RC200 actuator operates from –20 to +75 °C. Optional builds extend this to high-temperature (0 to +150 °C), low-temperature (–40 to +60 °C) and arctic (–47 to +60 °C) specifications. This broad range lets the Rotork RC range work in everything from hot process lines to cold outdoor and marine environments.
Yes — "Remote Control" is the original brand name for what is now the Rotork RC range of pneumatic actuators. Buyers still search for "Rotork Remote Control", "Rotork RC" and legacy part numbers such as RC200; they all refer to the same compact scotch-yoke pneumatic actuator family. If you have older Remote Control or RC200 actuators, we can supply direct replacements and spares.
The Rotork RC200 runs on a clean, dry compressed-air (or inert gas) supply, and its scotch-yoke design gives high torque with low air consumption. The exact minimum supply pressure depends on whether you choose a double-acting or spring-return RC200 and on the torque your valve requires, so actuator sizing is done against your valve torque and available line pressure. Send us those details and we'll confirm the correct Rotork RC200 model and pressure.
Actuation Valve & Control is a UK supplier of Rotork RC and RC200 pneumatic actuators, available as bare actuators or fitted to ball and butterfly valves as a complete automated package. We can supply double-acting and spring-return RC200 units, arrange sizing, and fit accessories before dispatch. Contact our team for UK pricing, lead times and stock on the Rotork Remote Control range.
The Rotork RC200 accepts a full range of quarter-turn control accessories, including NAMUR-mounted solenoid valves, limit switch boxes and position feedback units, pneumatic and electro-pneumatic positioners, and M1 handwheel manual overrides. Because the RC200 uses standard NAMUR and ISO 5211 interfaces, these accessories mount directly for a complete automated valve assembly. We can build and test your Rotork RC200 actuator with the required accessories before delivery.
