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Valve Positioner/Actuator/Controller, Field Rangeable 

APD 3280

Control Input:

 

0-50 mV to 0-10 VDC, 0-1 mA to 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA 

Position Feedback:

  Potentiometer

Output: 

8 A SPDT Relay with Neutral Position

 

O

Automatic or Manual Valve Control

 

O

Test/Manual Positioning Buttons

 

O

Input LoopTracker

®

 LED

 

O

Relay Status LEDs

 

O

High Capacity Relay Contacts 

 

O

One Minute Field Setup

 

O

Removable Plugs for Faster Installation

 

O

Input/Power Isolation

Applications

Description

The APD 3280 controls the position of a valve or linear actuator 
by comparing a DC input (control signal) to that of a position 
feedback potentiometer or slidewire. 
An SPDT relay provides bi-directional (open-close) signals to 
drive a motor to open or close a valve. A bi-color LED indicates 
the Open/Close relay contact status.
When the valve position, as indicated by the feedback poten-
tiometer, becomes equal to the position as represented by the 
control input, the relay will go to the neutral position and the 
motor will halt. A multi-turn deadband control allows precise 
tuning of the motor response to eliminate hunting or oscillation.
Heavy-duty relay contacts allow the module to directly control 
high capacity loads as long as the switching current with within 
the limits shown at left.

Auto/Manual Switch

An Auto/Manual switch allows either closed-loop automatic 
valve position control or manual positioning via the Open/
Close buttons. 
The manual mode is useful for troubleshooting, calibration, 
system testing or as a manual bypass. 

LoopTracker 

A green LoopTracker LED varies in intensity with changes in 
the control input signal. Monitoring this LED can provide a 
quick visual picture of your process at all times and save time 
during initial startup and/or troubleshooting.

Models are field rangeable. Switches can pre-set to your 
specifications. See range table on other side.
Any full range feedback potentiometer or slidewire from 
0-100 

 to 0-100 k

Ω 

can be used, no need to specify range.

Order APD 3280 D for operation on low voltage power.

Please Specify 

Model 
Control input range (if factory is to pre-set switches) 
Options as required

How to Order

Removable Plugs

Dimensions

0.89" W x 4.62" H x 4.81" D  
22.5 mm W x 117 mm H x 122 mm D  
Height includes connectors

Control Input

 

Minimum Span 

Maximum Span 

Voltage: 

0-50 mVDC 

0-10 VDC 

Current: 

0-1 mADC 

0-20 mADC

 

1 VDC maximum burden @ 20 mA

Control Input Impedance

Voltage: 

250 k

 min. 

Current: 50 

 typical

Common Mode Rejection

100 dB minimum

Input Calibration

Multi-turn zero and span potentiometers 
±10% of span adjustment range typical

Loop Power Supply

15 VDC ±10%, 25 mA max. to power external loads such as 
loop powered transmitters, sensors, etc.

Feedback Potentiometer Range

Any full range potentiometer 0-100 

 to 0-100 k

Ω 

Potentiometer excitation: 1.0 VDC nominal, 10 mA maximum

Manual Controls

Automatic/manual switch 
Manual open and close buttons

LoopTracker

Variable brightness LEDs for input level and status

Relay Output

SPDT relay with neutral contact position 
8 A max @ 240 VAC resistive load 
An RC snubber is recommended for inductive loads

Deadband

12 turn potentiometer adjustable from 1 to 25% of span 

Response Time

100 milliseconds nominal

Isolation

Power to input isolation

Housing and Connectors

IP 40, requires installation in panel or enclosure 
For use in Pollution Degree 2 Environment 
Mount vertically to a 35 mm DIN rail
Four 4-terminal removable connectors, 14 AWG max wire size

Ambient Temperature Range and Stability

–10°C to +60°C operating ambient
Better than ±0.02% of span per °C stability

Power

85-265 VAC, 50/60 Hz or 60-300 VDC, 2 W maximum 
D versions: 9-30 VDC or 10-32 VAC 50/60 Hz, 2 W maximum

 

Q

Valve Position Controller

 

Q

Linear Actuator Controller

 

Q

Damper Controller

Model

Description

Power

APD 3280

Field configurable valve  

positioner for potentiometer 

or slidewire feedback.  

8 A max. SPDT relay output

60-265 VAC or  

85-300 VDC

APD 3280 D

9-30 VDC or  

10-32 VAC

Optional

add to end of model number

U

 

Conformal coating for moisture resistance

Accessory—order as separate line item
API BP4

 

Spare removable 4 terminal plug, black

Options and Accessories

8 A max Relay 

Output with 

Neutral Position

Potentiometer or 

Slidewire Feedback

Input LoopTracker 

LED

Adjustable Relay 

Deadband

Zero and Span for 

Input

Connect Sink or 

Source mA Input

24 Switch Selectable 

Input Ranges

Relay Status LED

Auto/Manual Switch

Manual Open/Close 

Buttons

See API 3200 G or  

APD 3200 for 4-20 mA 

or Voltage Feedback

Switching Current (A)

Switching Voltage (V)

3  5  10 

30 50 100  300 500

8

5

3

1

0.5
0.3

0.1

AC inductive load 

(cos 

f

 = 0.4)

AC resistive 

load

DC inductive load 

(L/R = 7 ms)

DC resistive 

load

© 11-19

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Phone: 

800-942-0315

 

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Diagrams on 

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Universal Power

Quick Link: 

api-usa.com/3280

Minute 

Setup!

1

Free Factory 

I/O Setup!

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Made in USA

File E145968

85-265 VAC, 60-300 VDC 

model only

Applications Link 

api-usa.com/apps

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Lead 

Free

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