Why do solenoid coils burn out?
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.
