Johnson Controls VA-8122 Service manual

14-1213-8, Rev. C
Product/Technical Bulletin VA-8122
Issue Date March 2016
© 2016 Johnson Controls, Inc. 1
Part No. 14-1213-8, Rev. C www.johnsoncontrols.com
Code No. LIT-977380
The VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator is an electric
actuator that provides proportional control of valves
with up to a 5/16 in. stroke in Heating, Ventilating, and
Air Conditioning (HVAC) applications. This compact,
non-spring return actuator has a 22 lb minimum
seating force in a compact, easy-to-install package.
The VA-8122 can be ordered factory coupled to the
1/2 in. or 3/4 in. VG7000 Series bronze valves for hot
or cold water service only. The VA-8122 can be used
for retrofits of VT Series Terminal Unit Valves (with
slotted stems) and VB-5x39 Series Flare Valves.
Refer to the appropriate valve literature for more
information.
Figure 1: VA-8122-1 Valve Actuator
Features and Benefits
q
AUTOCAL Pushbutton Allows the actuator to define the control input
range proportionally over the stroke
qSimplified Setup and
Adjustment Procedures Reduces installation costs
q
Selectable Direction of
Action, Drive Down (DD) or
Drive Up (DU)
Provides application flexibility
q
Wide Range of Control
Inputs (Voltage and
Current)
Meets the needs of most applications
qPower Failure Detection;
Low Voltage Indication Prevents data corruption of the actuator’s memory and warns of insufficient supply
voltage
q
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Reduces commissioning time and displays
operating status
VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator

2VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin
Operation
The actuator uses a reversible synchronous motor to
accurately position the valve. The motor can reliably
generate 22 pounds of force in either the Drive Down
(DD) or Drive Up (DU) direction.
Once the valve closes, a shutoff force builds up. When
this force reaches 22 pounds, a lever within the
actuator operates a force sensor that stops the motor.
The constant load at the end of travel ensures tight
valve seat shutoff and compensates for seat wear.
Field calibration of shutoff is not required. The actuator
maintains the shutoff force and its last position even if
power is removed.
Note: The valve stem can be positioned manually by
turning the manual adjustment knob shown in
Figure 2. Rotating the knob counterclockwise
moves the valve stem up.
Yoke/
Machine Screw
Lever
Plate
Drive
Screw
Jumpers
W1-W5 AUTOCAL
Pushbutton
Spade
Terminals (3)
LED
Circuit Board
+24
COM
VDC/mA
Stem Retainer/
Position Indicator Manual
Adjustment
Knob
Figure 2: VA-8122 Components
IMPORTANT: There are no internal mechanical
stops in the actuator. Never drive
the actuator unless it is installed on
the proper valve body, or the
actuator may be damaged.
Dimensions
See Figure 3 for actuator dimensions.
5.00
127.0
2.50
63.5
0.87
22.2
4.50
114.3
0.50*
12.7
2.50*
63.5
* Required for cover
removal clearance.
Figure 3: VA-8122 Dimensions, in. (mm)
Installation
IMPORTANT: Dripping water must be prevented
from entering the actuator housing,
since this could damage the
actuator. Do not cover the actuator
with thermal insulating material.
Note: The VA-8020-100 kit (ordered separately) is
required if mounting to a VT Series Terminal
Unit Valve.
Kit Includes
•VA-8122 actuator
•VA-8020-605 stem retainer and clip kit
Tools Required
•5/16 in. (8 mm) nut driver or 3/16 in. (5 mm)
flat-blade screwdriver
•needle-nose pliers
•crescent wrench (to fit 1-1/4 in. bonnet
adaptor nut)

VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin 3
Mounting
IMPORTANT: Do not use on valves having a
stroke over 5/16 in. Travel beyond
5/16 in. will damage the actuator or
prevent complete shutoff.
Note: In horizontal piping applications, it is
recommended that the valve be mounted
within 85° of the upright position. When
mounted in vertical piping, the valve must be
protected from moisture.
Unpack the actuator and proceed as follows:
1. Remove the actuator cover by pressing inward on
the plastic tabs while sliding the cover up and
forward.
2. Make sure that the lever plate is within 1/4 in.
(6.4 mm) of the upper stop. (See Figure 4.)
Lever Plate
Approximately
1/4 in.
Coupler
Yoke/
Machine Screw Manual
Adjustment
Knob
Figure 4: Plate Position
3. For VT valves, thread the bonnet adaptor nut
(included in the VA-8020-100 kit) onto the
valve bonnet shown in Figure 5, and tighten with a
wrench until it is snug.
Bonnet
Adaptor Nut
Packing
Nut
Valve
Bonnet
Stem
Figure 5: Valve Bonnet Adaptor
4. Position the actuator yoke on the bonnet adaptor
nut, making sure the yoke is flush with the surface
of the nut.
Note: If the valve stem is touching the coupler and
preventing a flush contact, use the manual
adjustment knob (shown in Figure 4) to
reposition the coupler.
5. Secure the actuator to the valve bonnet by
tightening the hex-head machine screw provided.
6. Place the stem retainer and coupling clip over the
valve stem, so the lower (shorter) portion of the
coupling clip is positioned in the locking groove on
the valve stem as shown in Figure 6.
Valve Stem
Coupler
Coupling Clip
Stem
Retainer Lower Portion
of Clip
Figure 6: VA-8020-605 Stem Retainer and Clip Kit
Note: The extended portion of the stem retainer
must be located on the right so that it lines up
in the window of the cover. It may be
necessary to pull the valve stem up to meet
the coupler or to rotate the manual adjustment
knob (shown in Figure 4) clockwise to run the
coupler down.
7. Push the white plastic stem retainer until the
coupling clip moves forward into the groove, and
the retainer locks the clip in place.
8. Verify that the valve stem is located at the back of
the groove by examining the connection.
To remove the coupling clip, use pliers to grip the stem
retainer and pull outward. (See Figure 6.)

4VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin
Calibration
The actuator drives in proportion to the amount of
change in the input control signal. It accepts the input
control signal ranges by means of jumpers. Electrical
connections for the control input are made via spade
terminals that are mounted on the circuit board located
under the actuator’s cover. (See Figure 2 for the
location of the calibration components.)
Jumpers
The type of input control signal is determined by the
position of Jumper W1. When Jumper W1 is in the
VDC position (factory setting), the input signal is
DC voltage. When Jumper W1 is in the mA position,
the signal changes to current input. The direction of
action, either DD (factory setting) or DU, is selected
with Jumper W2. The range of the input signal is
determined by the position of Jumpers W3, W4,
and W5. (See Table 1 and Table 2.)
Table 1: Jumper Settings
W5*
W4
W3
W2
W1
Shown in Factory (Default) Settings
DD
(Drive Down)
(Drive Up)
DU 6-9 VDC
(Current Input)
mA
VDC
(Voltage Input)
* The 6-9 VDC position of Jumper W5 overrides Jumper W3.
0-10 VDC
(0-20 mA)
2-10 VDC
(4-20 mA)
0-10 VDC
0-20 VDC
Table 2: Available Input Control Signal vs. Input Jumpers
Control Signal Jumper W1 Jumper W3 Jumper W4 Jumper W5*
VDC
mA
0-10
2-10
0-10
0-20
—
6-9
0 to 10 VDC
X X X X
2 to 10 VDC
X
X
X
X
6 to 9 VDC
X
X
X
X
12 to 18 VDC
X X X X
0 to 20 VDC
X
X
X
X
4 to 20 VDC
X
X
X
X
0 to 20 mA
X X X X
4 to 20 mA
X
X
X
X
* When Jumper W5 is in the 6 to 9 VDC position, it overrides Jumper W3.
Table 3: Calibration Values for the AV-8122
Control Signal Values (All Nominal)
0 to 10 VDC
0.7 to 9.3 VDC
2 to 10 VDC 2.6 to 9.4 VDC
6 to 9 VDC
6.5 to 8.5 VDC
0 to 20 VDC
1.4 to 18.6 VDC
4 to 20 VDC 5.2 to 18.8 VDC
0 to 20 mA
1.4 to 18.6 mA
4 to 20 mA
5.2 to 18.8 mA

VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin 5
Direction of Action
The actuator’s direction of action is selected with
Jumper W2. (See Figure 3.) The action of the actuator
can be reversed by moving Jumper W2 on the circuit
board. When Jumper W2 is in the DD position (factory
setting), a low control input signal will cause the
actuator lever arm to move to the highest position
(valve stem up). A high control input signal will cause
the actuator lever arm to move to the lowest position
(valve stem down). When Jumper W2 is in the
DU position, the lever arm will be low for a low control
input signal and high for a high control input signal.
(See Figure 7.)
DU Mode
DD Mode
Low Control
Input Signal
Stem
Down
Stem
Up
Signal Increase High Control
Input Signal
Figure 7: DD/DU Direction
The DD mode will result in the Direct Acting (DA)
operation of a Push-Down-To-Open (PDTO) valve.
Auto Calibration
The VA-8122 is factory calibrated for a 5/16 in. valve
stroke. To compensate for minor variations in strokes,
use the Auto Calibration or AUTOCAL mode during the
calibration and installation of the actuator. This mode
allows the actuator to define the control input range
proportionally over the valve stroke stored in
nonvolatile memory (retains data when power is lost or
removed).
Note: Once calibrated, it is not necessary to
recalibrate if a jumper is changed.
To activate the AUTOCAL mode, depress the
AUTOCAL pushbutton for approximately 3 seconds
until the LED turns off. The actuator drives to the
DU end-stop, then to the DD end-stop, and stores
these positions in nonvolatile memory. The actuator
will drive to the setpoint determined by the control
signal applied after going through AUTOCAL.
Note: AUTOCAL mode only occurs when the
pushbutton is depressed. It does not occur
automatically when power is supplied to the
actuator.
LED
The VA-8122 has a green LED display to indicate the
actuator’s operating mode. (See Table 4.)
Table 4: Operating Display
LED Indication Description
On Solid Power is applied; actuator is at
setpoint or stalled (not driving).
Single
Blinking Power is applied; actuator is
driving down or up.
Fast Single
Blinking Insufficient supply voltage
Double
Blinking Actuator is driving during the
Auto Calibration mode
(AUTOCAL pushbutton released).
Off Power is not applied or Auto
Calibration mode is initiated
(AUTOCAL pushbutton
depressed for 3 seconds).

6VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin
Wiring
!
CAUTION: Risk of Electric Shock.
Disconnect the power supply before making
electrical connections to avoid electric shock.
MISE EN GARDE : Risque de décharge
électrique.
Débrancher l'alimentation avant de réaliser tout
raccordement électrique afin d'éviter tout risque de
décharge électrique.
!
CAUTION: Risk of Property Damage.
Do not apply power to the system before checking all
wiring connections. Short circuited or improperly
connected wires may result in permanent damage to
the equipment.
MISE EN GARDE : Risque de dégâts matériels.
Ne pas mettre le système sous tension avant d'avoir
vérifié tous les raccords de câblage. Des fils formant
un court-circuit ou connectés de façon incorrecte
risquent d'endommager irrémédiablement
l'équipement.
IMPORTANT: Make all wiring connections in
accordance with the National
Electrical Code and local
regulations.
When a 24 VAC power signal is applied to the +24 and
COM terminals, the VA-8122 accepts a DC voltage
input control signal or current input signal at the
VDC/mA (+) and COM (–) terminals.
The VA-8122 wiring connections are made to the
tab receptacles shown in Figure 8. Use either the
quick-connect terminals shown in Figure 9 or an
M9000-105 Pluggable (3-position) Terminal Block.
Controller
Input Signal
24 VAC
Supply
VDC/mA+24 VAC COM
(Common)
+
~
Figure 8: VA-8122 Wiring
IMPORTANT: Install all the quick-connect
terminals in the same direction to
each other to prevent the terminals
from shorting. (See Figure 9.)
Figure 9: Orientation of Terminals
Input lines to the actuator must be wired correctly for
the valve to move in the proper direction. (Refer to the
specific controller wiring instructions as needed.) Wire
the actuator as follows:
1. Push in the two tabs on the side of the actuator
cover and lift and remove it.
2. Insert the controller leads through the plate on the
side of the actuator.
3. Make the wiring connections to the terminals as
shown in Figure 8.
Commissioning
Field calibration of the force sensor is not required.
If power is removed from the VA-8122, the valve stem
remains in its intermediate position until power is
reapplied.
If the control signal to the actuator is lost, the valve
stem moves to the zero input signal position:
valve stem up in DD mode or down in DU mode.
Checkout
The VA-8122 is factory set as follows:
•Jumper W1 in the VDC position
•Jumper W2 in the DD position
•Jumpers W3 and W4 in the 0 to 10 VDC position
•Jumper W5 in the "—" position
If this is the intended operation, proceed as follows:
1. Depress the AUTOCAL pushbutton. (Actuator
drives to the DU end-stop, the DD end-stop, and
then returns to the setpoint.)
2. Provide minimum control signal. (Actuator drives
the valve stem up, and the motor stops.)

VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin 7
3. Provide maximum control signal. (Actuator drives
the valve stem down, and the motor stops.)
4. Observe the vertical movement of the indicator
within the actuator window to ensure proper
positioning. The installation is complete.
Note: If factory settings are to be changed, see the
Calibration section.
Ordering Information
Field repairs must not be made. To order a
proportional valve actuator, contact the nearest
Johnson Controls representative and specify product
code number VA-8122-1.
Actuator Combinations
The VA-8122-1 is available factory coupled to 1/2 in.
or 3/4 in. VG7000 Series bronze valves. The VA-8122
is also available for retrofitting VG7000 Series bronze
valves, VT Series Terminal Unit Valves (with slotted
stems), and VB-5x39 Series Flare Valves. Refer to the
AV-8122 Series Proportional Control Actuated Valve
Product/Technical Bulletin (FAN 977 or 1628.3), and
the VG7000 Series Bronze Valves ANSI Class 250
(PN16) Body Size 1/2 through 2 inch (DN15 to DN50)
Product/Technical Bulletin (FAN 977, 125, or 1628.3)
for available configurations. Accessories for the
VA-8122 can be found in Table 5.
Table 5: Accessories
Product
Code Number Description
VA-8020-100 Mounting kit for VT Series valves
VA-8020-601 Replacement cover only
VA-8020-605* Stem retainer and clip kit
M9000-105 Pluggable 3-position terminal
block
* One kit is included with the actuator. If ordered separately,
it must be ordered in multiples of five.

8VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator Product/Technical Bulletin
Specifications
Product
VA-8122 Proportional Valve Actuator
Power Requirements
24 VAC at 50/60 Hz, 5.0 VA supply minimum, Class 2
Input Signal Jumper Selectable: 0 (2) to 10 VDC, 0 (4) to 20 VDC, 6 (12) to 9 (18) VDC, 0 (4) to 20 mA
Factory Setting: 0 to 10 VDC, Drive Down (DD) action on signal increase
Input Impedance Voltage Input: 0 to 10 VDC, 150,000 ohms and 0 to 20 VDC, 450,000 ohms
Current Input: 0 to 20 mA, 500 ohms
5/16 in. Stroke Time 50 Hz: Approximately 108 seconds nominal
60 Hz: Approximately 90 seconds nominal
Force
Shutoff and Breakaway: 22 lb (98 N) minimum
Cycles 60,000 full cycles; 1,500,000 repositions
Enclosure
NEMA 1, IP20
Audible Noise Rating 35 dBA maximum at 3.28 ft (1 m)
Ambient Operating
Conditions
35 to 135°F (2 to 57°C);
85°F (30°C) maximum dew point at 90% RH, non-condensing
Ambient Storage
Conditions
-40 to 150°F (-40 to 65°C);
85°F (30°C) maximum dew point at 90% RH, non-condensing
Valve Media Temperature Water: 195°F (90°C) maximum
Steam: Actuator is not rated for this application.
Dimensions (H x W x D)
4.5 x 5.0 x 2.5 in. (114 x 127 x 64 mm)
Shipping Weight 1.6 lb (0.74 kg)
Agency Compliance UL 873 Recognized, File E27734, Guide XAPX2
CSA C22.2 No. 139 Certified, File LR85083, Class 3221 02
The performance specifications are nominal and conform to acceptable industry standards. For application at conditions beyond these
specifications, consult the local Johnson Controls office. Johnson Controls, Inc. shall not be liable for damages resulting from misapplication
or misuse of its products.
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