A solenoid valve is made up of various parts, each of which serves an important purpose. Understanding these components can help you better understand how solenoid valves work. This, in turn, will allow you to better care for or even service the valve. The designs, sizes, and working mechanisms of solenoid valves differ between valve types.
The major parts of solenoid valves are:
- SOLENOID VALVE BODY
- COIL WINDINGS
- INLET PORT
- OUTLET PORT
- SOLENOID COIL
- PLUNGER
- LEAD WIRES
- SOLENOID SPRING
- Orifice
Solenoid Valve Body
This is the part of the valve that connects to the assembly of the solenoid. The valve body is connected to control the fluid-carrying circuit. These continue to be known as solenoid valve openings. The valve body must include the medium in the circuit and be able to do so without damage. This is why manufacturers use the most usable and high grade material to make this part.
Coil Windings
The finished solenoid coil assembly consists of a series of turns of enamelled wire wrapped around a ferromagnetic material such as rigidly packed helix or steel. A plunger or piston may be found in the hollow part of the coil. The movement of the plunger or piston inside the coil is controlled by the spring.
The plunger of a solenoid valve is the part of the valve that moves to close or open the valve. It is typically cylindrical in shape and constructed of ferromagnetic material. The plunger moves up or down when the solenoid coil is energised and produces a magnetic field.
Inlet Port
The media enters through the inlet port of a solenoid valve, as the name implies. It is the opening through which fluid enters the valve before it is closed or opened by the valve seal or disc.
Depending on the function, a solenoid valve will have one or more inlet ports.
Outlet Port
The fluid flowing through the automatic valve exits through the outlet port, which is connected to the process necessitating fluid.
Solenoid Coil
The electromagnet assembly is the solenoid coil, which is made of steel or iron. As the current flows through the valve, the steel-covered cylindrical solenoid coil of wire serves as a current-carrying coil, acting as a magnet.
It is the solenoid valve coil’s body or assembly. This part, which is usually round and hollow, is made of metal and houses the coil windings.
It holds the coil wire in place and magnetizes to move the plunger.
Plunger/Piston
A solenoid valve is a part that closes or opens the plunger valve. It is usually cylindrical in shape and made of ferromagnetic material. When the solenoid coil is magnetized and produces a magnetic field, the plunger moves up or down.
Plunger movement controls the media in the valve depending on the required operation and the valve’s operating mechanism. This can allow the fluid to pass through, block or restrict the amount that passes through. The plunger has a seal that closes the holes. The seal can be made up of metal or rubber material. Rubber seals are the most common.
Lead Wires
These are the valve’s outer connections, through which current from the power supply is passed while the valve is energised. When the power is turned off, the current flow stops.
Solenoid Spring
The tension required to keep the plunger in place is provided by the spring. When the current in the coil stops flowing, residual magnetism may cause the plunger to become stuck up or down the sleeve in which it moves.
When the current stops flowing, the spring returns the plunger to its original position. It also prevents the plunger from falling down the tube as a result of gravity.
Orifice
It helps to connect inlet and outlet ports. The spring and the current flowing through the valve control the movement of the plunger or piston, which controls the opening of the hole.
Initially, the sensor detects the process by which the valve passes through the inlet. As the sensor senses that fluid is not needed, it shuts off the current flow to the valve. In turn, the valve loses power supply and the plunger or piston goes down and closes the hole. This stops the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet ports.