ISA Interchange

AutoQuiz: What are the Failsafe Positions for a Valve?

Written by Joel Don | May 29, 2015 1:00:18 PM

 

AutoQuiz is edited by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

 

Today's automation industry quiz question comes from ISA's technical training course, Control Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital. The course takes a deep dive into the control valve’s mechanical composition, actuation and positioning accessories, including a detailed study of digital valve controllers. Training is hands-on and lab intensive, and is designed to offer a real-world, working knowledge of valve mechanical configurations, valve operations and positioner calibrations.

 

Failsafe positions for a valve can be:

A) Fail Closed
B) Fail Open
C) Fail Last or Locked
D) All of the above

 

The correct answer is D, all of the above.

The actuator action and mounting position determine the fail state of the valve package.  The arrow on the stem of a two-way actuator shows if the valve/actuator package is a fail open or fail closed. On three- and four-way actuators the arrows show the failed paths. The letters “FO” (fail open) and “FC” (fail closed) are sometimes used in place of the arrows on two way valves. The letters “FIP” also are used to refer to a valve that Fails In Place.

Want to learn more about control valves? Sign up for ISA’s training course, Control Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital.

 

About the Editor
Joel Don is the community manager for ISA and is an independent content marketing, social media and public relations consultant. Prior to his work in marketing and PR, Joel served as an editor for regional newspapers and national magazines throughout the U.S. He earned a master's degree from the Medill School at Northwestern University with a focus on science, engineering and biomedical marketing communications, and a bachelor of science degree from UC San Diego.

 

Connect with Joel

AutoQuiz is edited by Joel Don, ISA's social media community manager.

Today's automation industry quiz question comes from ISA's new course, Control Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital. The class, which is offered June 22-26, takes a deep dive into the control valve’s mechanical composition, actuation and positioning accessories, including a detailed study of digital valve controllers. The class is hands-on and lab intensive, and is designed to offer a real-world, working knowledge of valve mechanical configurations, valve operations and positioner calibrations.

Failsafe positions for a valve can be:

A) Fail Closed
B) Fail Open
C) Fail Last or Locked
D) All of the above

Quiz Bonus: Use coupon code JUNTS18 when you register for the course to get the class at 50% discount. Register at this page: https://www.isa.org/training-certifications/isa-training/instructor-led/course-descriptions/ts18/?utm_campaign=smm-training-TS18-Control-Valve-Mechanics-and-Operations-from-Analog-to-Digital-landingpage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=blog

 

The correct answer is D, all of the above.

The actuator action and mounting position determine the fail state of the valve package.  The arrow on the stem of a two-way actuator shows if the valve/actuator package is a fail open or fail closed. On three- and four-way actuators the arrows show the failed paths. The letters “FO” (fail open) and “FC” (fail closed) are sometimes used in place of the arrows on two way valves. The letters “FIP” also are used to refer to a valve that Fails In Place.

Want to learn more about control valves?  Sign up for ISA's new course, Control Valve Mechanics and Operations from Analog to Digital. Use the special quiz discount code JUNTS18 when you register for the course to get the class for half off. Register at this page: https://www.isa.org/training-certifications/isa-training/instructor-led/course-descriptions/ts18/?utm_campaign=smm-training-TS18-Control-Valve-Mechanics-and-Operations-from-Analog-to-Digital-landingpage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=blog