What is the Difference Between ROV and MOV?

In many P&IDs and valve specifications, engineers often ask the same question: what is the difference between ROV and MOV? The two acronyms are related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. Understanding this distinction is important when you automate gate valves, butterfly valves, check valves and other industrial water valves in modern pipeline systems.

This article explains:

  ● What ROV and MOV actually mean

  ● How they work in practice

  ● Where each is typically used in water, wastewater and utility projects

  ● How Yaxing Valve can provide customized ROV/MOV solutions based on standard valve bodies

1. Quick Answer: ROV vs. MOV

1.1 ROV = Remote Operated Valve (or Remotely Operated Valve)

  A generic term for any valve that can be operated from a distance (remote control room, PLC, SCADA, etc.), typically by pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuators.

1.2 MOV = Motor Operated Valve (Motor-Operated Valve)

  A specific type of actuated valve in which the actuator is an electric motor that opens, closes or modulates the valve.

In other words:

  ● All MOVs are ROVs, but not all ROVs are MOVs.

  ● An MOV is one way to implement an ROV.

For example, a pneumatic actuated butterfly valve operated from a remote control room is an ROV but not an MOV; a motorized gate valve controlled from the same room is both ROV and MOV.

2. What Is an ROV (Remote Operated Valve)?

2.1 Formal definition

A Remote Operated Valve (ROV) is a valve that can be opened, closed or positioned from a remote location, using an actuator driven by a control signal (electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic).

Key characteristics:

  Remote control: Operated from a control room, local panel, or even via telemetry/SCADA on long-distance pipelines.

  Multiple actuator types:

    ● Pneumatic (compressed air)

    ● Hydraulic (oil or water-based)

    ● Electric (motor or solenoid)

  Function:

    ● Normal on/off isolation

    ● Emergency shutdown (ESD)

    ● Process control (throttling/modulation) in some cases

ROVs are widely specified as safety and isolation devices in gas, oil, and biogas pipeline standards, where regulations explicitly call for remotely operable shut-off valves at critical locations.

2.2 How an ROV works (high-level)

  ● Control signal is sent from a remote system (PLC, SCADA, ESD system, etc.).

  ● Actuator (pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric) converts that signal into mechanical motion.

  ● The actuator rotates or translates the valve stem, driving the closure member (disc, wedge, ball, etc.) of a gate valve, butterfly valve, ball valve, etc.

  ● Feedback (limit switches, position transmitters) returns the status to the control system for monitoring and alarms.

Yaxing’s gate valves, butterfly valves and check valves can be equipped with different actuator packages, turning a standard manual valve into an ROV that fits the project’s safety and automation requirements.

3. What Is an MOV (Motor Operated Valve)?

3.1 Formal definition

A Motor Operated Valve (MOV) is an actuated valve driven by an electric motor. The motor turns a gear train or drive mechanism that opens, closes, or modulates the valve.

Typical features:

  ● Electric motor actuator (single-phase or three-phase, sometimes DC)

  ● Gearbox to provide the required torque

  ● Limit and torque switches for safe stopping at end positions

  ● Local control station (Open/Stop/Close selector, position indication)

  ● Integration into remote control systems via digital/analog signals or fieldbus

3.2 MOV applications

MOVs are common in:

  ● Large-diameter gate valves in water transmission lines

  ● Butterfly valves in water treatment plants, pumping stations and HVAC systems

  ● Isolation and control valves in power plants, petrochemical plants and tank farms

MOVs are especially attractive where:

  ● Electric power is available and reliable

  ● High torque is needed (large DN valves, high pressure)

  ● Frequent operation or remote operation is required

  ● The valve must be integrated into advanced plant automation

4. ROV vs MOV: Key Differences

Although the terms are related, they describe different levels of abstraction:

5. How ROV and MOV Apply to Common Yaxing Valves

Yaxing Valve focuses on industrial water valves such as gate valves, butterfly valves and check valves for water supply, wastewater, HVAC, irrigation and general industrial services.

5.1 Gate valves with ROV/MOV

  ● Manual gate valves are standard for many networks.

  ● For key nodes (pump stations, trunk lines, plant inlets/outlets), they are often upgraded to ROV or MOV gate valves:

        → MOV gate valves for high-torque, high-diameter applications

        → Pneumatic/hydraulic ROV gate valves in hazardous or remote locations

5.2 Butterfly valves with ROV/MOV

Yaxing’s flanged butterfly valves are widely used in water treatment and distribution. They can be combined with:

  ● Electric actuators → Motor Operated Butterfly Valves (MOV)

  ● Pneumatic actuators → ROV butterfly valves (not MOV, but still remotely controllable)

This flexibility allows engineers to choose the actuation method that fits:

  ● Available utilities (power vs compressed air)

  ● Required actuation speed

  ● Explosion-proof requirements

5.3 Check valves and system protection

Check valves are usually self-acting, but in critical applications they may work together with ROV/MOV-controlled isolation valves to provide:

  ● Non-return protection (check valve)

  ● Fast remote shutdown (ROV/MOV gate or butterfly valve)

This combination is common in pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants and industrial cooling systems.

6. How to Choose Between ROV and MOV for Your Project

When deciding between different actuation options, consider the following engineering factors:

6.1 Available utilities

  ● If only electricity is available, MOV is usually the most straightforward choice.

  ● If you already have a plant air or hydraulic system, pneumatic/hydraulic ROVs may be more economical and faster in operation.

6.2 Safety and hazardous area classification

  ● In hazardous areas, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators often simplify compliance.

  ● Electric MOVs can be used with suitable explosion-proof enclosures when required.

6.3 Torque and valve size

  ● Large DN gate valves or butterfly valves with high differential pressure may demand high-torque electric MOVs with gear reduction.

6.4 Speed of operation

  ● Pneumatic ROVs can be extremely fast for emergency shutdown.

  ● Electric MOVs are typically slower but allow precise control and positioning.

6.5 Control philosophy and integration

  ● For simple open/close remote operation, any ROV type can work.

  ● For modulating service (e.g., maintaining flow or level), an MOV or advanced pneumatic positioner may be preferred.

6.6 Lifecycle and maintenance

  ● Electric MOVs require attention to motors, gearboxes and electrical components.

  ● Pneumatic/hydraulic ROVs require clean, dry air or hydraulic fluid and regular maintenance of seals and actuators.

Yaxing Valve can adapt standard valves (DIN, BS, AWWA, etc.) with different actuator packages to match these selection criteria, supporting project-specific automation strategies.

7. Why Specify ROV/MOV Valves with Yaxing Valve

As a specialized industrial water valve manufacturer, Yaxing Valve offers:

  ● A complete range of gate, butterfly, check and other water valves

  ● Customization of actuators and accessories (electric, pneumatic, etc.) to deliver ROV or MOV solutions

  ● Compliance with international standards (such as ASME, DIN, SNI, and others mentioned in product literature)

  ● Engineering support to help you select the right actuation concept based on project specs, line size, and operating conditions

Whether you need:

  ● A motorized gate valve for a DN600 trunk line,

  ● A remote-operated butterfly valve for a wastewater treatment plant, or

  ● A complete package of valves for a new water distribution project,

Yaxing can supply both the valve body and the appropriate actuation solution, ensuring reliability and easy integration into your control system.

8. Summary

  ● ROV (Remote Operated Valve) describes a valve that can be controlled from a distance, regardless of actuator type.

  ● MOV (Motor Operated Valve) is a special case of ROV, where the actuator is an electric motor.

  ● In practice, the choice between ROV concepts (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric) and MOV solutions depends on utilities, safety, torque, speed and control requirements.

  ● Yaxing’s industrial gate valves, butterfly valves and check valves can be flexibly equipped as ROV or MOV units to meet the demands of modern water and wastewater infrastructure.