J4C Electric Rotary Actuator

J4C electric rotary actuator – compact ISO 5211 mounting, multi-voltage electric actuators for industrial valves

PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR

Frequently Asked Questions – J4C Electric Part-Turn Actuator

The J4C electric part-turn actuator is a compact, electrically driven rotary actuator that performs a 90° rotation to automate quarter-turn valves – butterfly valves, ball valves, and plug valves. Manufactured by J&J, the J4C series features a brushless motor for extended service life and low-maintenance operation.

Typical applications of the J4C:

Plants without compressed air – Wherever no pneumatic infrastructure exists or would be uneconomical to install, the J4C replaces the pneumatic rotary actuator
Industrial process automation – Chemical, pharmaceutical, water treatment, food processing, and energy supply plants
Building automation (HVAC) – Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, district heating networks, pressure boosting stations
Modulating control duties – The J4C DPS with 4–20 mA / 0–10 V input is ideal for continuous proportional control of variable flow rates
Safety shut-off with battery backup – The J4C BSR automatically drives to its pre-set fail-safe position on power failure

FERGO supplies the J4C as a fully assembled, adjusted and tested unit together with the valve on request – ISO 5211-compliant direct mount, no additional adapters or site rework required.

The J4C electric part-turn actuator is available in seven torque ratings:

Model	Torque	ISO Flange	Run time 90°
J4C-S20	20 Nm	F03 / F04 / F05	9 s ±10%
J4C-S35	35 Nm	F03 / F04 / F05	9 s ±10%
J4C-S55	55 Nm	F05 / F07	13 s ±10%
J4C-S85	85 Nm	F05 / F07	29 s ±10%
J4C-S140	140 Nm	F07 / F10	on request
J4C-S300	300 Nm	F10	on request
J2-H10	10 Nm	F03 / F05	19 s

Sizing guidance: The actuator output torque should exceed the valve breakaway torque (from the FERGO data sheet) by a safety factor of at least 1.25. The FERGO engineering team is happy to assist with actuator selection and torque calculation: shop@fergo-valve.com or +49 (0) 21 31 / 15 39 28-0.

A key advantage of the J4C is its multi-voltage system: a single actuator unit is compatible with a wide range of supply and control voltages – without hardware modifications or voltage selectors.

Available voltage variants:

24 V – 240 V AC (50/60 Hz) – Covers 24 V AC, 110 V AC, 230 V AC, and 240 V AC in one unit; suitable for virtually all European and North American control circuits
24 V – 135 V DC – For battery-backed control systems, DC-bus architectures, and PLC digital outputs
110/240 V AC/DC – Fixed-voltage variant in the legacy J2-H10 model
24 V AC/DC – Low-voltage variant for 24 V control circuits

The multi-voltage concept significantly simplifies stock management: one actuator type covers multiple voltage requirements, reducing ordering complexity and improving supply flexibility. For international projects with differing grid voltages, this is a particular advantage.

Operating frequency: 50/60 Hz compatible – usable in Europe, the Americas, and Asia without modification.

All J4C actuators conform to ISO 5211 / DIN 3337 – the industry standard for direct mounting of rotary actuators on quarter-turn valves. This enables tool-minimal direct mounting on all FERGO quarter-turn valves.

ISO flange sizes by actuator model:

F03 / F04 / F05 – J4C-S20, J4C-S35 (smaller valve sizes up to DN 100)
F05 / F07 – J4C-S55, J4C-S85 (medium valve sizes DN 100–200)
F07 / F10 – J4C-S140, J4C-S300 (large valve sizes DN 200+)

Drive shaft profiles (square / double-flat):

VKT 9 mm – on request (small valves)
VKT 11 mm – on request
VKT 14 mm – standard on J4C-S20 and J4C-S35
VKT 17 mm – standard on J4C-S55 and J4C-S85
VKT 22 mm – standard on J4C-S140 and J4C-S300
Double-flat (biplane) – e.g. 11×16.5 mm or 17×22.5 mm, available on request

FERGO delivers valve and actuator as a fully assembled, adjusted and tested unit – ready to install directly into the pipeline. Adapter kits are available for special shaft sizes or non-standard connection dimensions.

The J4C is available in four core execution variants, matched to different control and safety requirements:

J4C Standard (S):

Simple two-position control: Open / Close via potential-free contacts or 24 V signal
Two integrated potential-free limit switches (OPEN / CLOSED) for position feedback
Suitable for all straightforward on/off isolation and switching duties

J4C Positioner / DPS (Digital Positioning System):

Analogue control inputs 4–20 mA or 0–10 V for proportional position setpoint
Actuator drives to the commanded opening angle – ideal for modulating / throttling duties with variable flow
Position feedback via analogue output signal available
For use in PID control loops, process control systems, and SCADA architectures

J4C BSR (Battery Safety Return):

Integrated battery pack: on power failure the actuator automatically drives to its pre-set fail-safe position
NC (Normally Closed) – fail-safe CLOSED: valve closes on loss of power
NO (Normally Open) – fail-safe OPEN: valve opens on loss of power
Delivers electrical fail-safe functionality without an external UPS or compressed air supply

J4C Positioner + BSR (combination):

Modulating actuator with 4–20 mA / 0–10 V input and integrated battery safety return in a single unit
For safety-critical modulating duties where both control accuracy and fail-safe positioning are required simultaneously

The J4C part-turn actuator is standard-equipped with a set of practical features that simplify commissioning and day-to-day operation:

Dome position indicator – Mechanical visual indicator on top of the actuator housing; shows valve position (OPEN / CLOSED) at a glance without electrical power
Handwheel for emergency operation – Allows manual valve operation during power failure or for commissioning and setting purposes; declutch mechanism protects the motor during handwheel use
2 × potential-free limit switches (SPST) – Standard feedback contacts for OPEN and CLOSED positions; compatible with PLC inputs and process control systems
Automatic enclosure heater – Prevents condensation inside the actuator housing during fluctuating ambient temperatures; extends electronics service life
Multi-colour status LED – Colour-coded indication of operating status, faults, and end-position signals; simplifies on-site diagnostics and commissioning
DIN connector EN 175301-803 – Standardised electrical connection (Form A / Form CI) for fast, normalised wiring
Polyamide PA6 housing, IP67 – Dust-tight and waterproof; suitable for harsh industrial environments and outdoor installations

Legacy models J2, J3, and J3C remain available on request.

Both actuator types have clear strengths. The following overview helps with the decision:

J4C electric part-turn actuator – preferred when:

No compressed air available – Plants without pneumatic infrastructure or where installing a compressed air supply would be uneconomical
Building automation (HVAC) – Heating, ventilation, and cooling systems; district heating; electric control is the norm in these applications
Modulating / throttling duties – Proportional positioning via 4–20 mA / 0–10 V (J4C DPS); pneumatic actuators without a positioner are on/off switching devices only
Electrical fail-safe required – J4C BSR delivers NC / NO safety positioning on power failure without compressed air
Low switching frequency – At low cycle rates, an electric actuator is more energy-efficient than a pneumatic one
Simple installation – Only an electrical cable required; no compressed air network, tubing, or solenoid valves needed

FERGO pneumatic rotary actuator – preferred when:

ATEX / explosion protection – Pneumatics are inherently spark-free; the preferred actuator type in Ex-rated zones
High switching frequency – Pneumatics are more robust and cost-effective at very high cycle rates per hour
Compressed air already available – Air supply (5–6 bar) already present in the plant
Fast switching times – Pneumatic actuators switch faster than electric for equivalent torque output
Spring-return fail-safe without battery – FERGO SR spring-return NC / NO operates without a battery or external energy source

FERGO advises on the right actuator type for your specific application: +49 (0) 21 31 / 15 39 28-0.

The J4C electric part-turn actuator is available to order directly in the FERGO online shop – with a product configurator for torque, voltage, execution variant, and ISO flange size.

Complete valve + actuator assembly:

FERGO supplies butterfly valves, ball valves, and plug valves on request pre-assembled with the J4C actuator – adjusted, tested, and ready for installation
Saves on-site assembly time and eliminates potential errors during actuator mounting

Available accessories:

Limit switch box (Switchmaster) – Additional position feedback, IP67 / ATEX, mechanical or inductive, if more than 2 switching points are required
Inductive sensors – IFM proximity switches for wear-free contactless position detection
Flange gaskets – Matching gaskets (aramid, graphite, PN 10–40) for the installation environment
Pressure gauges – Pressure monitoring at the valve or pipeline section

Legacy models: Predecessor models J2, J3, and J3C remain available on request – ideal for replacement procurement in existing installations: shop@fergo-valve.com.

Delivery: Common J4C types (S20, S35, S55, S85) are held in stock and available for immediate dispatch. Special executions and larger torque ratings (S140, S300) available on request.

Reliable Control for Industrial and Building Applications

Compact Size with Powerful Torque

Easy Installation and Shaft Compatibility

Practical Features for Efficient Operation

Advanced Variants and Legacy Model Options

PRODUCT CONFIGURATOR

Product configurator

Frequently Asked Questions – J4C Electric Part-Turn Actuator