EP6
EP6 Electro-pneumatic Positioner
A 4-20 mA electro-pneumatic positioner for NAMUR-compatible linear and rotary pneumatic valve actuators, with safe-area and approval-specific Ex configurations.
The Spirax Sarco EP6 is a two-wire electro-pneumatic positioner for linear and rotary pneumatic valve actuators that conform to NAMUR. It compares the controller's 4-20 mA input with actual valve position and modulates the pneumatic output so valve travel follows the command signal.
EP6 can be configured for single- or double-acting service and for linear or rotary mounting. The selected mounting arrangement and linkage kit must match the actuator, valve model, size and required mounting position; the compatibility table below should be checked before ordering.
The positioner is intended for pneumatic modulating-valve duties where a controller provides a 4-20 mA command and repeatable actuator travel is required. Typical assemblies include compatible Spira-trol control valves and other linear or rotary valves fitted with a NAMUR-compliant pneumatic actuator. Because linkage geometry affects feedback accuracy, the actuator series, valve size, stroke and mounting position should be confirmed together rather than selecting the positioner in isolation.
For an existing installation, first identify whether the actuator is single acting or double acting and whether direct or reverse action is required. Then confirm the available instrument-air pressure, required travel and mounting-kit arrangement. This sequence helps avoid a positioner configuration that can receive the electrical signal but cannot correctly reproduce the valve's full mechanical stroke.
Safe-area and Ex-approved configurations require separate checks. For ordinary industrial locations, confirm the enclosure, action and mounting options against the technical data. For a hazardous area, use the approval shown on the specific EP6 nameplate and follow the matching installation document; ambient-temperature limits, cable entries and certification conditions are approval-specific.
Commissioning requires qualified personnel, correct electrical isolation and clean, dry instrument air. Hazardous-area installations must follow the applicable EP6 approval, nameplate, certified cable-entry requirements and the full IM-P703-04 instructions. Do not apply a certification or ambient limit from one approval to another configuration.
| Input signal range | 4-20 mA; split-range minimum amplitude 8 mA |
|---|---|
| Impedance | Maximum 250 +/- 15 ohm |
| Air supply | 1.4 to 7.0 bar; regulate 5 to 10 psi above actuator spring range |
| Air quality | ISO 8573-1:2010 Class 3:3:2 |
| Output pressure | 0 to 100% of supply pressure |
| Actuator travel | 20 to 150 mm linear, or up to 90 degrees rotary |
| Action | Single acting, fail vent, or double acting |
| Operating temperature | Standard: -20 to +70 degrees C; high-temperature option: -20 to +120 degrees C |
| Air flow | 80 L/min at 1.4 bar |
| Steady-state air consumption | 2.4 L/min at 1.4 bar |
| Air connections | 1/4 in NPT female |
| Sensitivity | Single acting: +/-0.2% full scale; double acting: +/-0.5% full scale |
| Hysteresis | +/-1% full scale |
| Linearity | Single acting: +/-1% full scale; double acting: +/-2% full scale |
| Repeatability | +/-0.5% full scale |
| Electrical connection | M20 cable entry; terminals for 0.5 to 2.5 mm2 conductors |
| Ingress protection | IP66 |
| Characteristic | Linear |
| Shipping weight | Linear positioner: 2.8 kg; rotary positioner with mounting kit: 4.1 kg. Linear kits: EY3/EY4 1.3 kg, UY1/UY2/UY3 0.9 kg, UBC 0.2 kg. |
| Part | Material | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Case and cover | Die-cast aluminium | Anti-corrosive paint to RAL 9016 |
| Mounting bracket | Steel | Electrophoretic protection |
| Feedback pin, lever and locator | Stainless steel | - |
| Screws | Stainless steel | - |
EP6 may be applied to NAMUR-compatible actuators including BVA300 rotary, PN1600, PNS3000, PNS4000, PN9000 and TN2000 series units, subject to the detailed mounting-kit table.
| Selection | Available EP6 options |
|---|---|
| Acting type | Single acting; single acting with reduced 1 mm orifice; double acting |
| Mounting | Linear with separately selected kit; rotary with mounting kit |
| Area classification | Safe-area or approval-specific Ex configuration |
| Connections | M20 electrical entry and 1/4 in NPT air connections |
| Non-standard features | Supply-pressure gauge and high-temperature options according to ordering code |
| Position | Actuator | Valve / size | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | PN9100 / PN9200 / PN9300 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN15-DN100 | EY3 |
| Central | PN9400 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN125-DN300 | EY4 |
| Central | TN2150 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN15-DN100 | EY3 |
| Central | TN2300 / TN2400 / TN2270 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN125-DN300 | EY4 |
| Central | PN3000 spring extend / PN4000 spring retract | LE, LEA and Steri-trol, DN15-DN100 | EY3 |
| Central | PN5000 / PN6000 | KE, KEA, LE and LEA, DN15-DN100 | EY3 + UBC |
| Left side | PN9100 / PN9200 / PN9300 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN15-DN100 | UY3 |
| Left side | PN9400 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN125-DN300 | UY1 |
| Left side | TN2150 | Spira-trol two-port and QL three-port, DN15-DN100 | Not compatible |
| Left side | PN1600 | C-series DN65-DN100 / DN125-DN200 | UY1 / UY2 |
This is a condensed guide. Use the complete TI-P703-03 table and ordering code to confirm every actuator, valve size and mounting position.
Ordering example from the source document: EP6SLS1-A with an EY3 mounting kit for a single-acting PN9300 actuator with 30 mm stroke.
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