Solenoid valves at their core convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, allowing workers to autonomously and remotely control the flow of fluid in a system.
In industrial applications, solenoid valves are used to precisely control the flow and mixing of fluids. Also, they can be used on a production line to sense and prevent leaks.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of solenoid valves: what they are and how they work, and some of the common types.
What Is a Solenoid Valve?
Solenoid valves use an electrical coil to control the flow of liquid or gas. They have a regular valve body that features an additional top block that includes the solenoid along with some cables.
Solenoid valves come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, influenced by its capacity, the pressure being used in the system, and the different internal mechanisms needed.
The solenoid coil on the top of the valve is used to operate the flow of fluid through the valve in the main body by using electrical current to create an electromagnetic field to either open or close the valve.
3 Common Types of Solenoid Valves
There are several different versions of solenoid valves with different features, benefits, and use cases.
Here is an overview of the most common types: direct-acting valve, normally closes, and normally opened.
Direct-Acting Valve
The simplest version of a solenoid valve is a direct-acting valve. This valve features a housing with a solenoid coil that sits on top of an armature. The armature is itself comprised of a plunger and spring.
Normally Closed (NC) Type Valve
In a normally closed (NC) type valve, the spring pushes the plunger down so that it sits in a closed position indefinitely, closing off the valve and any subsequent fluid from flowing through the valve.
Once an electric current is sent through the coil, an electromagnetic current is generated, which passes through the plunger, causing it to push the plunger upwards, against the spring, opening the valve to allow fluid to flow through it.
When the electrical current stops, the electromagnetic current dissipates, and the spring pushes the plunger back to a closed position.
Normally Opened (NO) Type Valve
In a normally opened (NO) type valve, the opposite takes place. The internal spring pushes the plunger upwards, holding the plunger in a continuously open state, allowing fluid to freely flow through the valve.
When an electrical current is introduced and an electromagnetic field is generated, it pushes the plunger down against the spring, closing off the valve and stopping the flow of fluid through it.
Once the electrical current is terminated, the spring will push the plunger back up, reopening the valve and allowing the fluid to flow through the valve once again.
Ultimately, the direction of the electrical current through the solenoid determines whether there will be a pushing or pulling force on the plunger.
Get What You Need at MISUMI
There are many other different types of solenoid valves, like Namur-mounted, three-way, and pilot operated, just to name a few, that are designed for use in specific applications.
MISUMI offers many of these different solenoid valves, including the most used direct-acting variation, at a competitive price and short lead time.
