When should a positioner be fitted:

A positioner should be considered in the following circumstances:

 When accurate valve positioning is required;

 To speed up the valve response. The positioner uses higher pressure and greater air flow
to adjust the valve position;

 To increase the pressure that a particular actuator and valve can close against. (To act as
an amplifier);

 When the valve pressure drop at the maximum operating flowrate, exceeds 5 bar for
single seated valves or 10 bar for double seated valves;

 To linearize a non-linear actuator;

 Where varying differential pressures within the fluid would cause the plug position to vary;

 When controlling with wide throttling range; and

 When valves are handling sludge or solids in suspension.

Furnish positioners for all control valves in critical service and where the variable, such as flow,
has to be closely controlled. Specify that the positioner be furnished with the control valve or
damper instead of separate procurement.