How to use a direct acting solenoid valve correctly
Date: 2025-12-17Read: 12
Direct acting solenoid valve is an automation basic component that directly drives the valve core action through electromagnetic force to achieve fluid on/off control. It is widely used in pneumatic, hydraulic, water treatment, industrial automation and other fields. The correct use of it requires strict control from three stages: installation, operation, and maintenance. The following is a systematic usage guide:1、 Preparation before installation: Ensure that the environment and equipment are compatible
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Environmental condition verification
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temperature rangeConfirm that the operating temperature is within the nominal range of the solenoid valve (usually -10 ℃~+60 ℃), and avoidharshTemperature causes insulation failure of coils or aging of seals.
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humidity controlThe environmental humidity should be ≤ 85% to prevent condensation from causing electrical short circuits. If used in humid environments (such as sewage treatment), a model with a protection level of ≥ IP65 should be selected.
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防震要求The installation position should be far away from the vibration source (such as the punching machine, vibrating screen). If it cannot be avoided, shock absorbers or elastic brackets need to be installed.
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Media compatibility check
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Fluid typeConfirm that the medium is the calibration fluid of the solenoid valve (such as air, water, hydraulic oil), avoid using corrosive media (such as strong acids, strong bases) or fluids containing particulate impurities (such as unfiltered compressed air), otherwise a filter needs to be installed.
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Pressure matchingCheck if the working pressure is within the rated pressure range of the solenoid valve (such as 0~1.0MPa). Overpressure use may cause valve body rupture or seal failure.
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Viscosity limitFor solenoid valves used in hydraulic systems, it is necessary to confirm that the viscosity of the medium is ≤ 50cSt. High viscosity fluids may affect the response speed of the valve core.
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Confirmation of electrical parameters
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Voltage matchingCheck the power supply voltage and the rated voltage of the solenoid valve coil (such as AC220V, DC24V). The voltage fluctuation range should be ≤± 10%, otherwise a voltage regulator needs to be installed.
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Power CalculationChoose a suitable power source based on the coil power (such as 10W) to avoid total power overload when multiple valves are connected in parallel.
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Protection levelOutdoor or humid environments should choose a protection level of IP67 or above to prevent rainwater from entering.
2、 Installation process: Standardized operation to avoid hidden dangers
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pipeline connection
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Direction indicatorConnect the pipeline strictly in the direction indicated by the arrow on the solenoid valve body. Reverse installation may cause the valve core to get stuck or leak.
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Thread sealMetal thread connections require the use of raw tape or sealant, while plastic threads are recommended to be connected using flexible joints or card sleeves to avoid excessive tightening and cracking.
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Pipeline cleaningBefore installation, blow the pipeline with compressed air to remove impurities such as welding slag and rust, to prevent them from entering the valve body and scratching the sealing surface.
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Electrical wiring
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wiring methodConnect the live wire (L), neutral wire (N), and ground wire (PE) according to the coil identification, and distinguish the positive and negative poles of the DC solenoid valve.
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Wire diameter selectionChoose the cross-sectional area of the wire based on the current (e.g. 1.5mm ²), and increase the wire diameter for long-distance transmission to reduce voltage drop.
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Explosion proof treatmentExplosion proof solenoid valves should be used in flammable and explosive places, and explosion-proof junction boxes and cables should be used.
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Fixed and positioned
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mounting bracketUse specialized brackets or bolts to fix the solenoid valve on a flat surface to avoid vibration caused by suspended installation.
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operating spaceReserve at least 50mm of maintenance space for later maintenance and coil replacement.
3、 Operation: Standardize usage to extend lifespan
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Pre startup inspection
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manual testingSome solenoid valves are equipped with manual operating levers. Before starting, manually switch the valve core to confirm that the action is flexible and not stuck.
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leak detectionIntroduce low-pressure medium (such as 0.2MPa air) and check for leaks at the valve body and interface. If there are leaks, tighten or replace the seals.
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Operational parameter control
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Stable pressureTo avoid sudden pressure changes (such as quickly opening a shut-off valve) and prevent water hammer effects from impacting the valve core.
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Rate limitHigh frequency switching (such as>30 times/minute) requires the selection of a high-frequency solenoid valve, as using regular models at high frequencies can cause the coil to overheat and burn out.
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power-on timeFor long-term power on (such as>24 hours), it is necessary to choose a normally open type or install energy-saving modules to reduce coil heating.
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exception handling
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Coil overheatingImmediately cut off the power and check if the voltage exceeds the standard, if the coil is short circuited, or if the medium pressure is too high, causing the valve core to get stuck.
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The valve core does not moveCheck if the power is connected, if the coil is damaged (measure resistance with a multimeter), and if the valve core is stuck by impurities (need to be disassembled and cleaned).
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Escalating leakageCheck if the seals are aging (such as O-ring cracking) and replace them with seals of the same model.
4、 Maintenance: Regular maintenance to prevent malfunctions
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routine maintenance
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Clean the exteriorWipe the surface dust of the solenoid valve with a dry cloth every week to avoid dust accumulation affecting heat dissipation.
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Check fastenersCheck bolts and nuts for looseness every month and tighten them promptly to prevent leakage.
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Record operational dataEstablish and maintain archives to record the power on time, switching frequency, fault symptoms, etc., for the purpose of analyzing the life cycle.
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regular maintenance
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Coil detectionMeasure the insulation resistance of the coil with a megohmmeter every six months (≥ 1M Ω), and replace the coil if it is lower than the standard.
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Valve core cleaningDisassemble the valve body annually (requiring professional operation), clean the valve core, valve seat, and sealing surface with alcohol to remove oil stains and impurities.
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Seal replacementReplace all seals (such as O-rings and diaphragms) every 2-3 years and use original accessories to ensure sealing performance.
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Long term disuse treatment
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Media emptyingClose the upstream and downstream valves before shutdown, drain the medium inside the valve body, and prevent the sealing components from being soaked and deformed for a long time.
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rust prevention treatmentApply anti rust oil to metal parts, wrap them with moisture-proof film, and store them in a dry and ventilated place.
5、 Selection and upgrade suggestions
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Select based on working conditions
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High frequency scenarioChoose high-frequency solenoid valves (such as response time ≤ 10ms) and pair them with solid-state relays to reduce contact wear.
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Explosion proof requirementsSelect ExdIIBT4 explosion-proof solenoid valve, matched with explosion-proof control box.
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Energy saving demandChoose zero voltage starting type or DC low-voltage solenoid valve (such as DC12V) to reduce energy consumption.
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intelligent upgrade
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Installing sensorsInstall pressure and flow sensors in the pipeline to monitor the working status of the solenoid valve in real time.
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remote controlImplement remote switch control and fault alarm through PLC or IoT modules to improve management efficiency.