Masoneilan* Rotary Electric Switch
Instruction Manual
GE Data Classification : Public
Page 2
THESE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR WITH IMPORTANT PROJECT-SPECIFIC REFERENCE
INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR’S NORMAL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.
SINCE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHILOSOPHIES VARY, GE (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
AND AFFILIATES) DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO DICTATE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES, BUT TO PROVIDE BASIC LIMITATIONS AND
REQUIREMENTS CREATED BY THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT PROVIDED.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS ASSUME THAT OPERATORS ALREADY HAVE A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR SAFE OPERATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS.
THEREFORE, THESE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED AND APPLIED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SAFETY
RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE AT THE SITE AND THE PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF OTHER
EQUIPMENT AT THE SITE.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT PURPORT TO COVER ALL DETAILS OR VARIATIONS IN EQUIPMENT NOR TO PROVIDE FOR
EVERY POSSIBLE CONTINGENCY TO BE MET IN CONNECTION WITH INSTALLATION, OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE.
SHOULD FURTHER INFORMATION BE DESIRED OR SHOULD PARTICULAR PROBLEMS ARISE WHICH ARE NOT COVERED
SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR'S PURPOSES THE MATTER SHOULD BE REFERRED TO GE.
THE RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES OF GE AND THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO
THOSE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLY OF THE EQUIPMENT. NO ADDITIONAL
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES BY GE REGARDING THE EQUIPMENT OR ITS USE ARE GIVEN OR IMPLIED BY THE
ISSUE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FURNISHED TO THE CUSTOMER/OPERATOR SOLELY TO ASSIST IN THE INSTALLATION,
TESTING, OPERATION, AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT DESCRIBED. THIS DOCUMENT SHALL NOT BE
REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART TO ANY THIRD PARTY WITHOUT THE WRITTEN APPROVAL OF GE.
Masoneilan model 496 Series Rotary Electric Switch
instructions contain DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION
labels, where necessary, to alert you to safety related or other
important information. Read the instructions carefully before
installing and maintaining your control valve. DANGER and
WARNING hazards are related to personal injury. CAUTION
hazards involve equipment or property damage. Operation of
damaged equipment can, under certain operational conditions,
result in degraded process system performance that can
lead to injury or death. Total compliance with all DANGER,
WARNING, and CAUTION notices is required for safe operation.
This is the safety alert symbol. It alerts you to potential
personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow
this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
About this Manual
• The information in this manual is subject to change without
prior notice.
• The information contained in this manual, in whole or part,
shall not be transcribed or copied without Masoneilan’s
written permission.
• Please report any errors or questions about the
information in this manual to your local supplier.
• These instructions are written specifically for the
496 Series Rotary Electric Switch, and do not apply for
other valves outside of this product line.
Warranty
Items sold by GE are warranted to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of one year from
the date of shipment provided said items are used according
to GE recommended usages. GE reserves the right to
discontinue manufacture of any product or change product
materials, design or specifications without notice.
This instruction manual applies to the Masoneilan
496 Series Rotary Electric Switch.
The rotary electric switch MUST BE:
• Installed, put into service and maintained by qualified and
competent professionals who have undergone suitable
training.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
When used without the safety alert symbol indicates a
potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in property damage.
Note: Indicates important facts and conditions.
• Under certain operating conditions, the use of damaged
equipment could cause a degradation of the performance of
the system which may lead to personal injury or death.
• Changes to specifications, structure, and components
used may not lead to the revision of this manual unless
such changes affect the function and performance of the
product.
• All surrounding pipe lines must be thoroughly flushed
to ensure all entrained debris has been removed from the
system.
Series 496 rotary switches are used for electrically indicating
one or two predetermined positions in the stroke of a control
valve. They may be connected to audible alarms or signal
lights for warning of valve or system malfunction. These
switches may also be used to actuate solenoids, relays and
other electrical devices.
Basic switches (4) in the unit are single pole, double throw
snap acting and are individually adjusted by cams (13) on
the rotating shaft (11). Vernier adjustment is made by means
of locking type set screws (Nylock) (2) in the cams and these
screws actuate the switches by contacting the switch spring
levers. The spring levers provide overtravel protection and
allow maintained contact when required. The Series 496
is available with either one or two switches, each with an
adjustable cam to actuate it.
The housing and cover are made of anodized aluminum and
are explosion proof. In addition, O-ring seals
(7 and 10) in the cover and rotary shaft, make the
switch waterproof.
Series 496 switches may be mounted on the 35002
Series Camflex, 30000 Series Varimax, 36002 Series Control
Ball and 37002 Series MiniTork Butterfly valves. Also, the
addition of a standard back lever and linkage permits its use
with the 10000 and 21000 Series and linear motion valves.
For complete parts list for the Series 496 switch refer to Parts
Supplement FS7000.
Only two couplings are used to connect the switch shaft (11)
to the valve; a strip type coupling (Ref. 9, Figure 3) for rotating
shaft valves and a back lever (Ref. 9, Figure 6)
for linear motion valves. Each is fastened to the switch shaft
(11) with a spring washer and cap screw. Refer to Figures 3
through 7 for mounting details.
Microswitches are rated at 10, 15 or 20 amps at 115 or 230
volts dc. Check the rating printed on each switch. Each
microswitch has three terminals. The lower one is common,
the middle terminal is for normally open circuit; the top
terminal is for normally closed circuit. Pass wiring through the
3/4" NPT port in the bottom of the case.
4. Adjustments
The Series 496 switch is normally mounted and adjusted on
a control valve at the factory. To adjust the instrument in the
field, proceed as follows:
A. The concave part of the levers (5) should be exactly
concentric with the cams (13) with the switch actuated.
This is an important step to assure that once the lever is
depressed, it stays depressed during overtravel (if any).
If not, loosen screws (3 and 17) and slide the levers up or
down slightly. Tighten screws (3).
B. Unscrew slightly the cam locking screws (1) using a 3/32"
Allen wrench.
2. Operation
The motion of the control valve turns by means of a back lever
(or coupling) the switch shaft (11). Cams (13), fastened to the
shaft by screws (1), actuate microswitches (4) by pushing levers
(5). Each switch may be wired to either open or close the circuit
when the lever is depressed.
C. Actuate the valve to the desired position (usually the full
opened or full closed position).
D. It is important to note that the cam operating the right-
hand switch should make contact with lever (5) only at the end of a counterclockwise rotation.
This assures that when the valve is throttling, the screw
(2) is completely free of the lever. The concave part of the
lever is only to maintain contact during
over-travel (if any). Similarly, the cam operating
the left-hand switch should make contact with
lever (5) only at the end of a clockwise rotation. If there
is only one switch (Model 496-1) it may be necessary to
reverse the position of the switch from left to right or vice
versa depending on the rotation and stroke position.
E. Turn the cam (13) on the shaft until the switch is a
voltmeter.) Lock the cam (13) with screw (1).
F. Make a fine adjustment with screw (2) using a
1/16" Allen wrench. The screw (2) must extend out from
the cam far enough to assure sufficient depression of
lever (5).
The 496 switch is rigidly mounted on the spring barrel of the
diaphragm actuator by means of a bracket (7) fastened to
the mounting pad with cap screws (8). The back lever (9) is
fastened to the end of the switch shaft with spring washer
(15) and cap screw (17).
The take off linkage must be adjusted before adjusting the
switches. Apply air pressure to the actuator until the actuator
stem has traveled exactly half the rated stroke. Loosen
locknut (5) and turn the turnbuckle (6) until the back lever (9)
is level. Tighten locknut (5) and adjust switches according to
instructions on Page 2.
* Trademark of the General Electric Company.
Other company names and product names used in this document are
the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.