There are many makes and models of control valves in the industry, and further each are suited for a particular application. Working in Condominiums and Office buildings, Belimo has been found in many industries as a leading provider specializing in control valves, damper actuators, temperature sensors and much more, no to mention compatibility retrofit kits to fit different brands. 

But what is typically seen on job sites, which is the reason for this post, is that contractors are unaware of the sensitivity of the small dial found on some Belimo actuators as well as other brands.

The Picture (above) has a small dial circled in red. As with a lot of things in everyday life, if you’re working on something small, there is a very good chance that if you apply some force, you have a chance of snapping or breaking that “small” thing. Well, that is the case here…

This small dial only turns 1/8″ in one direction only.

It is unreasonable to assume that this dial can withstand a full 360 screwdriver turn and still function properly. You can even see the marking on the left of the dial showing only 1/8″ distance between turning left and right.

To considerate contractors working on these products that cannot be repaired once that piece snaps off, PLEASE be careful when turning small dials. If you meet resistance in the turning process, don’t proceed further! Better yet, call the responsible contractor for direction. Chances are that they are on site to remediate your concern rather than having to charge you to replace the actuator entirely.