Electric Solenoid Valves

How Solenoid Valves Work

Different sorts of valve designs exist. The majority of valves contain numerous ports and fluid channels. The valve is said to be "usually open" when the solenoid is not activated, and it is open. The valve is said to be typically closed when the solenoid is not activated, and it is closed. Additionally, there are more intricate designs, such as three-way valves.

In a three-way valve, each of the three ports is connected to either the supply or exhaust ports. These valves can be classified according to how they function. For example, limited solenoids can only generate a small amount of force; if this force is adequate to close and open the valve, then direct-acting solenoids are practical.

Materials Applied in Solenoid Valves' Construction

The material chosen for the valve body should be fluid-compatible. The bodies of solenoid valves are mostly made of stainless steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and brass. Additionally, the seals must work with fluid. The core, plug nut, shade ring, springs, and other components are also exposed to fluids, making them fluid-compatible to facilitate simpler sealing.

The core tube must be non-magnetic to allow the solenoid's field to pass through it and the plug nut. Iron or another material with strong magnetic characteristics is needed for the core and plug nut (but iron is more prone to corrosion). Because stainless steel is both magnetic and non-magnetic, it is frequently used.

Solenoid Valve Components

The basic parts of a solenoid valve are as follows:

• Sub-assembly for a solenoid (core, core spring, shading coil, plug nut, core tube, solenoid coil, retaining clip)
• Core tube with a bonnet seal
• Diaphragm - body seal hanger spring diaphragm - bonnet
• Backup disk washer valve body

When the solenoid is powered up, the magnetic plunger or core of the valve moves, and the solenoid is coaxial with the plug nut and the core. The seals that govern the flow of fluid can be damaged or broken by the movement of the core. When the coil is not electrified, the spring will keep the core in its usual position. The fluid is sealed, and the core tube guides and holds the core while holding on to the plug nut.

The core tube must not be magnetic to maximize core mobility, as a magnetic core tube would provide a shunt path for field lines. In some designs, the core tube is an enclosed metal shell that simplifies the sealing problem because fluid cannot escape from the enclosure. Still, it also increases magnetic path resistance because the magnetic path must travel twice through the thickness of the core tube—once near the core and once near the plug nut.

Solenoid Valve Types

Direct Acting Valves (DAVs)

This kind of solenoid valve has a coil that, in direct action, magnetically opens the valve and raises both the shaft and the valve seat without relying on the outside pressure. Direct-acting solenoid valves can be opened at low power, but they must be powered fully during valve opening.

Valves With a Pilot

In pilot-operated valves, a smaller pilot valve is engaged by the solenoid, which then unlocks a larger valve that is working at very high pressure and is necessary for increased volume flow and releasing enormous quantities of gasses, steam, liquids, and air. As a result, piloted valves operate with a relatively low electrical energy requirement. Still, they can operate more slowly than direct-acting solenoid valves since they require full power to be maintained in the open position.

Three-Way Valves

Each of the two ports in a two-way valve is utilized one at a time to open and close the valve. The operation of a two-way valve can be set as generally closed or normally open. Until a current is applied to close the valve in the open state, it stays in that state. The valve automatically opens when the electricity is turned back on. Common solenoid valves that are typically closed operate in the opposite direction and stay closed until a power source opens them. Three-port three-way valves are used when exhaustive and alternative pressure is required for an operation, as in a coffee maker or dishwasher.

Four-Way Valves

The valves with four or more port connections are known as four-way valves. In most cases, they work using a dual-acting actuator or cylinder. In four-way valves, supply pressure is provided by the remaining port connections, while exhaust pressure is provided by half of the connections. These valves are universal, normally open, or normally closed.

Electric Solenoid Valves Applications

In automatic irrigation sprinklers with automatic controllers, electric solenoid valves are also utilized. Electric solenoid valves are also used in residential washing machines and dishwashers to control the amount of water that enters the appliance. Paintball gun triggers use these solenoid valves to operate the carbon dioxide hammer valve. Electric solenoid valves are utilized in various industrial applications, including general on-off control, pilot plant control loops, process control systems, calibration and test stands, and applications for manufacturing various pieces of equipment.

Solenoid Valve Benefits

• Reduced power use
• Repairs are affordable.
• Operated remotely
• Swiftness of reaction
• Able to work with both AC and DC voltage
• Use of both high and low temperatures
• Installed either vertically or horizontally

Choosing the Correct Electric Solenoid Valve Manufacturer

To make sure you have the most productive outcome when purchasing electric solenoid valves from an electric solenoid valve manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 4 to 5 manufacturers using our list of electric solenoid valve companies. Each electric solenoid valve manufacturer has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each electric solenoid valve company website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each business specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple electric solenoid valve companies with the same form.