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What is a valve in chemical engineering?

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A valve is a mechanical “gate” used to stop or start the flow of chemical fluids. There are many types and applications of valves, which block the flow and can be easily moved.

What is a solenoid coil used for?

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Solenoid coils have many varied applications and can be used to create flow control points in systems directing water, gas, air, fuel or chemicals. Examples of solenoid coil application types include:

  • Showers
  • Sprinkler systems
  • Drinks vending machines
  • Pneumatic Equipment
  • Hydraulic Equipment
  • Air conditioning systems
  • Medical and dental equipment
  • Power washers

Solenoid valves are also used in automatic door locking systems, with the rod entering the door frame to create a secure, electronically controlled lock.

Why do solenoid coils burn out?

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There are many reasons why a solenoid coil will burn out, and usually this can be traced to the operating conditions of the system in which it is installed or environmental factors. It is more common in AC solenoid coils than in DC systems. Some reasons include:

  • The voltage is too high or too low: operating voltage should be within 10% of the coil voltage rating.
  • Cycling Too Rapidly: the inrush current generates heat, which needs to escape before the coil is activated again. If coil is activated too many times in a row, the heat build-up can damage the coil insulation, leading to burnout.
  • Dirt in Oil or Atmosphere: If small particles lodge under the solenoid coil armature, they can keep it from fully closing, causing the coil current to remain higher than normal. Keep solenoid dust covers tightly in place.
  • Atmospheric moisture: high humidity can cause corrosion in the solenoid coil’s structure, leading to sticking within the system.
  • Excessive Flow: high flow of fluids through the valve can cause a force unbalance that causes the coil to unspool.

What is a solenoid coil?

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A solenoid coil is a type of valve operated using a small electromagnetic field. When the circuit is switched on, a current passes through the coil. This creates a magnetic field which pulls the valve plunger, either opening or closing the valve.

How to check a solenoid coil with a multimeter?

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You can check solenoid coil resistance using a multimeter by following these simple steps:

  1. Remove the solenoid coil from the system if possible.
  2. Connect the solenoid to a power source. You should hear a click of the valve plunger moving in response to the current. If you don’t, the valve is broken.
  3. Set your multimeter to ohms (­ꭥ) to measure the resistance of your solenoid coil.
  4. Touch the multimeter’s red cable to the positive terminal of the solenoid, and the black cable to the negative terminal.
  5. Check the reading on the multimeter. It should read between 0 and 1ꭥ. Any other reading indicates that there is too much resistance in the solenoid coil system, impeding the current’s flow.
  6. The solenoid will need replacing if resistance is higher than 1ꭥ.

How does a solenoid coil work?

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A solenoid valve coil uses electromagnetic energy to create the lateral motion that opens or closes a valve. Consisting of a copper coil around a ferrous metal rod, the solenoid moves when a current passes through the coil, generating a magnetic field that pulls the rod, opening or closing the valve. Solenoid coils are available as N/O (normally open) or N/C (normally closed).

Does air-operated solenoid valve work?

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Also known as an externally-piloted pneumatic solenoid valve, the mechanism works similarly to other solenoid valves but uses air pressure to help keep the valve closed. These are often used where the system has low pressure, vacuum or if there is low, negative or absent pressure in the valve itself.

Can you clean the air intake on a solenoid valve?

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Yes, you can clean the air intake on a solenoid valve by following these steps:

  1. Unscrew the fittings from the solenoid valve, ensuring you keep track of how all parts fit together.
  2. Use a cotton swab and clean water to clear any debris, rust or dirt from the air intake, around the o-ring gasket and from the magnetic plunger.
  3. You can take this opportunity to inspec the rubber pad at the end of the plunger. If this is dented or damaged, it may not form a good seal, causing your valve to leak. This part is tricky to replace, and you may need a whole new solenoid valve

How to I check the air solenoid valve? How to test an air solenoid valve?

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If the air solenoid valve is not opening or closing, leaking, or overheating, these are signs that it is damaged or that there is a wiring issue. Any Solenoid valve can be tested with a multimeter by following these steps:

  1. Set the multimeter to ‘ohms’ (Ω) to test for continuity.
  2. Touch the multimeter’s red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the solenoid valve, and the black lead to the negative (-) terminal. These will be metal pins or spade connectors used for wiring. If there are 3, the smallest will be used to ground the circuit.
  3. Connect the solenoid to a power source and apply the current. Once the current is flowing through the circuit, you should hear a click of the solenoid valve moving. If you don’t hear this, the solenoid coil isn’t working properly and needs replacing.
  4. If you did hear the click, then check the continuity reading on the multimeter display. You should have a low ohm reading between 0 and
    1. 1. Any other reading indicates that the solenoid needs replacing.

How does an air solenoid valve work?

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A solenoid valve uses electromagnetic energy to open and close the valve. In an air solenoid valve, the closed valve uses a rod to block air from moving from one part of a system into another. The rod must be made from a ferrous metal, such as iron or an iron alloy like steel. To open the valve, an electrical current passes through the solenoid coil, generating a magnetic field which pulls the rod, allowing air to flow through the valve. Air solenoid valves can be manufactured to be normally open or normally closed, with the current moving the rod. 

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