Air Operated Valves - Pneumatic Pilot Operated Control

Air operated valves (air pilot operated valves) use compressed air instead of electrical coils for safe operation in hazardous or remote locations.

What is a Air Operated Valve?

Air operated valves (also known as air pilot operated valves or pneumatic pilot valves) use compressed air pressure to actuate the valve mechanism, eliminating the need for electrical coils. When pilot air pressure is applied, it pushes against a piston or diaphragm, opening or closing the valve. This design makes air operated valves ideal for hazardous environments, high-moisture areas, and locations without electrical supply.

Types of Air Operated Valves

We offer a complete range of air operated valves for industrial automation:

Valve Type	Configuration	Typical Application
5/2 Air Operated Valves	Double-acting, 2-position	Double-acting cylinders
5/3 Air Operated Valves	Double-acting, 3-position	Position holding
3/2 Air Operated Valves	Single-acting, 2-position	Single-acting cylinders
2/2 Air Operated Valves	2-position, normally closed or open	On/off control of media
3 Way Air Operated Valves	3-port directional control	Flow direction control

Applications

Common applications for air operated valves include:

● Chemical and petrochemical plants (explosive atmospheres)

● Water and wastewater treatment facilities (high moisture)

● Mining and offshore platforms (no electrical supply)

● Air operated ball valves and air operated butterfly valves for process control

● Remote pipeline stations (long-distance control)

All air operated valves feature low MOQ, fast shipping, and are compatible with SMC / Airtac / Festo alternatives.

Air Operated Valve vs Solenoid Valve: What's the Difference?

Feature	Air Operated Valve	Solenoid Valve
Actuation	Compressed air	Electrical coil
Power Source	Air supply (3–8 bar)	Electricity (DC24V, AC220V)
Hazardous Areas	Intrinsically safe	Requires explosion-proof coil
Wet Environments	No electrical components	Risk of short circuit
Response Time	Fast (air dependent)	Very fast (ms level)
Remote Locations	Long distance possible	Requires wiring

Need help choosing? If your application involves explosive gas, high humidity, or no power supply, choose air operated valves. For standard factory automation with PLC control, choose solenoid valves.

Contact our engineering team.

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