AUMA FQM 12.1 Fail-Safe Unit for SQ 12.2 Actuators

Overview

AUMA FQM 12.1 is the largest fail-safe unit in the FQM .1 range. It delivers a minimum torque of 1,200 Nm, is paired with the SQ 12.2 and gives a factory-set fail-safe time of 13 s to 39 s for a 90 degree stroke. At about 140 kg it is only slightly heavier than the FQM 10.1, but it carries the higher torque and a larger F14 flange.

Seven Star LLC, the official trusted supplier and regional supplier for AUMA, supplies the AUMA FQM 12.1 to power, desalination and oil and gas operators in Oman and the GCC. Safety valves of this size are important assets, so we review torque, flange, trigger logic and installation support with customers in Muscat, Sohar and Salalah.

Fail-Safe Action on Large Valves

The AUMA FQM 12.1 stores mechanical energy and releases it when an ESD signal at 24 V DC or a loss of mains supply triggers the function, driving the valve to its safe position with no electrical power needed. AUMA lists the fail-safe time as 13 s to 39 s for 90 degrees, set at the factory. The time grows with valve torque, and the minimum torque is 1,200 Nm, which makes this unit a match for the top of the SQ 12.2 tripping range.

In normal operation the SQ 12.2 moves the valve at operating times of 22 s to 63 s, so routine strokes are deliberately slow while the emergency stroke is defined separately. The ready contact and the isolated end position switches provide status feedback at 0.1 A and 30 V DC. As with the other sizes, the documented life is 500 fail-safe operations, which should be recorded in the proof-test log of the safety instrumented function.

Engineering Design of the AUMA FQM 12.1

The standard valve attachment of the AUMA FQM 12.1 is EN ISO 5211 F14, with F12 as the option, and the coupling accepts shafts up to 50 mm cylindrical, 36 mm square or 36 mm two-flat. The swing angle is adjustable between 80 and 96 degrees. AUMA’s data sheet gives a vibration resistance of 0.3 g with the F10 flange and 0.5 g with the F12 flange for the FQM 10.1 and 12.1 sizes at 10 to 200 Hz, so confirm the rating for the standard F14 flange with Seven Star LLC.

Plan for around 140 kg without actuator and controls, because the valve neck, bracket and pipe supports have to carry the combined mass. For the FQM 10.1 and 12.1 sizes, AUMA’s data sheet gives 0.3 g with the F10 flange and 0.5 g with F12 at 10 to 200 Hz, so confirm the rating for the standard F14 flange with Seven Star LLC. Mounting may be vertical or horizontal with a support, and never pointing downward. IP68 and KS apply, with a standard ambient range of -30 °C to +70 °C (option -40 °C to +60 °C) and -30 °C to +60 °C for the explosion-proof FQMEx 12.1.

Key Features

The AUMA FQM 12.1 provides a spring-powered safe state for large quarter-turn valves.

• A 1,200 Nm minimum torque for large butterfly and ball valves.
• The 13 s to 39 s fail-safe time balances speed against surge.
• F14 standard flange, F12 option and shafts up to 50 mm.
• Either an ESD signal or loss of mains, or both, releases the spring as ordered.
• Status contacts for each end position and a ready output serve the safety system.
• Rated for 500 fail-safe operations, which should be logged in the proof-test records.
• Vibration resistance of up to 0.5 g with the F12 flange at 10 to 200 Hz.
• Matched to the SQ 12.2; the explosion-proof FQMEx 12.1 uses the SQEx 12.2.

Selection Guidance for the AUMA FQM 12.1

Specifying the AUMA FQM 12.1 is a safety-function exercise. Define the safe position, the trigger, the required response time and the proof-test interval, and compare them with the 13 s to 39 s fail-safe time and the 500-operation lifetime. Confirm that the valve torque in the safe direction stays within the 1,200 Nm minimum capability.

Then review the mechanical stack: the SQ 12.2, the fail-safe unit and the valve together form a tall, heavy assembly. Ask the valve manufacturer to confirm the permissible mass and moment on the valve neck, and consider an additional support if the line vibrates.

Industrial Applications

The AUMA FQM 12.1 is used where a large valve must reach a safe position without electrical power: seawater intake isolation, large cooling water headers, gas feed shut-down and export line isolation. In power and desalination plants of the Gulf region, loss of the station supply is a credible event, and a spring-powered unit gives the plant a safe state that does not depend on batteries or generators.

In Oman and the GCC, Seven Star LLC supplies the FQM 12.1 on request with regional support.

Smaller units in the range: AUMA FQM 10.1, AUMA FQM 07.1 and AUMA FQM/FQMEx fail-safe unit family.

Engineers also review the AUMA SQ part-turn actuator range for the drive, the AUMA MATIC AM/AC integral actuator controls for control, and the AUMA SQEx explosion-proof part-turn actuator for explosion-proof assemblies.

Technical Specifications

The figures below describe the AUMA FQM 12.1, the largest unit of the range, as published by AUMA.

Request a Quote for AUMA FQM 12.1

For the AUMA FQM 12.1, Seven Star LLC prepares a formal offer after receiving the valve datasheet, safe position, trigger signals and required closing time, and it names the SQ 12.2 and controls that complete the package. The AUMA data sheet is linked on this page. In Oman and the GCC, we supply the AUMA FQM 12.1 on request with technical support.