DC Water Pumps & Solenoid Valves

1. Why do solenoid valves fail?

• Solenoid valves may stop working for a multitude of reasons. It may not open because of power failure, uneven pressure, wrong voltage, dirt under the diaphragm, corrosion, missing components, or a burnt coil.

2. What is a solenoid pump?

• A solenoid valve is an electrically controlled valve. It is made of a magnetic plunger that rests on the orifice, blocking the flow, when it’s in its off position. When the electric signal is passed, the current flows through a coil creating a magnetic field and attracting the plunger away from the orifice, thus opening it. 

3. What is the function of a solenoid valve?

• Solenoid valves are used to control the flow of fluids electrically. It can be compared to a relay where a relay acts as an electric switch whereas a valve acts like a fluid switch. Solenoid valves are simple and effective control valves. They are used in air compressors, used as metering valves, pressure release valves, drink dispensers, etc.

4. What are the types of solenoid valves?

• Direct Acting Valves: In a direct-acting solenoid valve, a coil magnetically opens the valve in direct action, lifting the shaft and the seat of the valve
• Pilot-Operated Valves: In pilot-operated valves, the plunger opens up the pilot opening while the pressure causes the valve to open and close. In spite of the fact that pilot-operated valves require less electrical energy to work, they need to keep up full power with a specific end goal to stay in an open state, and they perform at a slower rate than direct-acting solenoids.
• Two-way valves: This is the most common type of solenoid valve. Two-way valves have two ports, which are used alternately to allow flow as well as to close it off. A two-way valve can be “normally open” or “normally closed” in its operation.

5. Where are solenoids used?

• Solenoid valves are simple and effective control valves. They are used in air compressors, used as metering valves, pressure release valves, drink dispensers, etc.

6. Are solenoids AC or DC?

• Solenoid valves are available in both AC and DC configurations and each of them is used depending on what is convenient. AC Solenoid valves are slightly more complicated than DC solenoid valves so DC valves are generally preferred in many cases.