NAMUR is an acronym for “User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries” or “Normenarbeitsgemeinschaft für Mess- und

Regeltechnik in der chemischen Industrie”.

Initial work was on the standardization of interfacing to 4-20 mA and proximity switches.

 NAMUR Recommendations (NE) provide an explanation of the state of the art and regulations for member companies as well as for
manufacturers, scientists and authorities.
 NAMUR worksheets (NA) are an aid in the form of checklists and instructions for practical work in companies.

NAMUR recommendations have an “NE” designation and are used for defining equipment requirements, ensuring they are fit for purpose and
suitable for specific application. NAMUR recommendations often influence the content of relevant international standards.
The recommendations often include more robust testing over the comparable base standards and manufacturers can see compliance as an
indicator of performance.

Namur in Switches
NAMUR sensor is a 2-wire proximity sensor that is usually powered by 8 VDC.
When the sensor detects the target, the current flow through the sensor drops to less than 1.2 mA.
When the target moves away from the sensor and is not detected, the current flow increases to above 2.1 mA.
This change in current level is detected by the instrument to determine if the NAMUR sensor is detecting a target.
Here is a diagram which illustrates this

Namur in 4-20mA Transmitter

One of intrinsic benefits of a “live zero” analog
signal standard such as 4-20 mA is that a wire break (open fault) can immediately be detected by the
absence of current in the circuit.

If signal scale started at zero (0-20 mA), there would be no way to electrically distinguish between a broken wire & a legitimate 0% signal value.
In other words, the “live” LRV point of a 4-20 mA signal provides us with a way to indicate a certain type of circuit fault in addition to indicating
an analog measurement during normal operation.

NAMUR signal standard takes this one step further by defining specific diagnostic meaning to values of current lying outside 4-20 mA range:

4-20mA Transmitter NAMUR Signal Levels

NAMUR-compliant transmitters are designed to limit their output signals between 3.6 mA and less than 21 mA when functioning properly.
Signals lying outside this range indicate some form of failure has occurred within the transmitter or the circuit wiring.

NAMUR-compliant control systems will recognize these errant milliamp values as fault states, and may be programmed to take specific action
upon receiving these signal values.

Such actions include forcing controllers into manual mode, initiating automatic shutdown procedures, or taking some other form of safe action
appropriate to the knowledge of a failed process transmitter.

Namur in Valves

A pneumatically automated process valve has three main parts:

1) Process Valve : Part of the pipe-line system, e.g. ball valve or butterfly valve.
2) Pneumatic Rotary Actuator : Opens and closes the process valve.
3) Pilot Valve (with NAMUR Interface) : Directional control valve for control of pneumatic rotary actuators

Further important elements can be:

 Switchbox : To feed the position of the process valve back to a central command,
 Manual Override : Clutch for emergencies
 Positioner : replacing the switchbox and mostly including the control valve.

Pneumatic Rotary Actuators

The design and dimensions of rotary actuators differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The two most popular designs are either Rack and Pinion actuators or Scotch-Yoke.

The selected size of the actuator depends on the force required to open and close the process valve.
Usually the manufacturer indicates the maximum torque the actuator offers at a specific pressure.
There are two versions of actuators:
 Single-acting actuators (with mechanic spring return)
 Double-acting actuators

In double acting actuators - depending on the direction required - compressed air flows to the outside or to the inside of the two pistons.
This can be easily controlled by using 5-way directional control valves (5/2-way for fully opening and closing the process valve, 5/3-way if
intermediate positions are required).

In single-acting actuators, the reset to basic position is realized by using packs of mechanical springs.
Two packs of springs are on outside of actuator, pushing pistons into middle position. The area the springs are in is “spring chamber”
As soon as the actuation side of the actuator is exhausted, the springs push the pistons together, which turns the pinion and (depending on
what is required) opens or closes the process valve.

There are standards for the contact interfaces of a rotary actuator

 Contact interface to the control valve | VDI/VDE 3845 (NAMUR)
 Contact interface to the process valve | ISO 5211 | DIN 3337

VDI/VDE 3845 (NAMUR)

Interface on the actuator that allows to flange directly a control valve with NAMUR-interface.

ISO 5211 | DIN 3337

Connection to the process valve.

The NAMUR Interface

NAMUR-valves are control valves which offer an assemblage interface according to the standard VDI/VDE 3845.
NAMUR-valves are different from other in-line valves as they offer two ports on the flat side of the valve.
In addition, there are holes for fixing valve onto actuator. A NAMUR solenoid valve is directly mounted to pneumatic actuator inlet/outlet ports.
The drawing below shows a single solenoid 5/2-way valve with an interface according to NAMUR.
The dimensions of the 1/4” -interface, among others, are shown as well.

Type: MNH 510 701.

Besides the 1/4“-interface there is also one for larger actuators:

• G 1/4"- interface NAMUR valve | description: [NAMUR 1/4"] or NAMUR 1
• G 1/2"- interface NAMUR valve | description: [NAMUR 1/2"] or NAMUR 2

Dimensions of the NAMUR interfaces on the actuator

The picture displays a MNH 510 701, which is a 5/2-way single solenoid NAMUR-valve. It is used to control a double-acting actuator.
Ports 2 and 4 are on the side of the valve. The ports are sealed towards the actuator with O-rings.
Port 1 ( = supply) and ports 3 and 5 ( = exhausts) are on the flat side of the valve (shown here on the top).

MNH 511 701: same valve, but with a combined mechanical and pneumatic spring return.

The picture displays an MNH 310 701, which is a 3/2-way single solenoid NAMUR-valve. It is used
to control a single-acting actuator.
Ports 2 and one port 3 are on the side of the valve. The ports are sealed towards the actuator with O-rings.
Port 1 ( = supply) and the other port 3 ( = exhaust) are on the flat side of the valve (shown here on the top).
A normal 3/2-way inline valve has 3 ports. The 3-way NAMUR-valve on the photo however has 4, which you can also see on its ISO symbol.
Single-acting actuators (the ones with springs) have 2 ports as well. One is connected to the actuation side, the other to the spring chamber.

In order to avoid air from the atmosphere (which might be wet, polluted or dirty) to enter the spring chamber, it should be ensured that
(potentially cleaner) process air enters it instead in order to avoid corrosion of the springs.
That is why in process automation, we aim towards an air recirculation into the spring chamber, also called a “purge”.

When the actuation side of the actuator is exhausted (3/2-way valve n.c. in standard position), the actuation chambers are gradually becoming
smaller and the spring chambers larger as the springs expand. The 3/2-way NAMUR-valve feeds part of the process air into the spring
chambers before it is used to expand the actuation chambers. The excess air exhausts through the external (second) port 3. This function is
indicated in red in the ISO symbol.

By feeding process air into the spring chambers, we want to reduce pollution inside the actuator due to dirt, dust, mist, moisture etc. that might
have been sucked into the spring chambers and thus avoid corrosion of the springs.

Flow Regulator Plates

The flow regulator plates offer a very precise control of opening & closing speed of actuators. Regulation possible with 3-way and 5-way valves.
Additionally the DRN offers the only possibility to regulate the forward and backward-stroke of single-acting actuators, which is controlled by a
3-way valve, independently and precisely.
Two different types of actuation are available:
1. DRN _ 601: to be operated manually
2. DRN_ 611: to be operated with a screwdriver

Plates are available with 1/4“ and 1/2" NAMUR Interface. Assemblage between NAMUR pilot-valve and actuator or with threaded plate type
GPN-1/4” for direct piping.

Air Recirculation Block

The air-recirculation block guarantees, that only exhausting air from the actuation chamber is going into the spring chamber.
No ambient atmosphere is sucked-in.
It is used in combination with single-acting actuators when they get controlled by remote installed 3/2-way valves e.g. from a control cabinet.
The integrated non-return valve makes sure, that no ambient atmosphere can enter the actuator.
Block is designed for actuators with 1/4“ NAMUR-interface. Port 1 for air-pressure supply G 1/4” threaded. 2 x G 1/4” exhaust ports.