Choosing the right solenoid can be difficult due to the wide range of types and designs available. Key considerations include solenoid type, maximum power, coil voltage, and physical design. These factors must be taken into account to ensure proper operation in various environments and applications.
Solenoids play an incredibly important and extensive role in a multitude of industries and are represented by an astonishing range of types and designs produced by an equally impressive group of manufacturers. This often makes the task of choosing a suitable solenoid difficult, and while it is impossible to generalize, there are several solenoid design specifications which can serve as a generic set of standards. These include coil voltage, expected mechanical load on the solenoid and associated coil current ratings and actuation type. Many of the unknowns involved in selecting a suitable solenoid design are easy enough to calculate with reasonable accuracy and there are many printed and online resources to refer to in this regard. Of course, these issues are unimportant in installations using off-the-shelf parts where only one part number is needed.
The humble solenoid is probably one of the most commonly encountered actuation mechanisms in general use. Simple and inexpensive, the solenoid uses a minimal number of moving parts and relies on the generation of an electromagnetic field to provide the necessary actuating motion. Choosing a suitable solenoid design for a given project can, however, be a daunting task considering the sheer number of different designs on the market. There are a couple of generic basic specs that apply to most solenoid installations that can help make your decision making process a little easier.
The first of these considerations is of the solenoid type. There are three basic solenoid design categories in general use: linear, rotary, and holding solenoids, with linear solenoids further divided into push and pull categories. The exact type of movement needed must first be established before the best solenoid design can be chosen. For example, a poppet valve that requires straight up and down movement would in most cases require a linear pull type solenoid. A butterfly valve that requires the poppet to be rotated to open would require a rotary solenoid, while a simple lift mechanism would require a holding solenoid.
The second solenoid design consideration is maximum power. The solenoid must be able to physically exert enough pressure on the mechanism in question to operate it cleanly without overheating. If definitive information on this variable is not available, choosing a solenoid size can be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair, always being wise to go larger than necessary. If the force required is known, one of several solenoid calculation resources can be used to determine a suitable solenoid size.
Solenoid coil voltage is the third key point to consider when choosing a solenoid design. Most solenoid coils are rated to operate properly over a predetermined voltage range. When making this choice, you must consider the power sources available. For example, it would not help to include a solenoid with a 110 volt alternating current (AC) coil in an application designed to be used outdoors, away from a power outlet.
The physical design of the solenoid is the last of the basic considerations in the solenoid design specification. Available mounting points and environmental conditions play a large part in deciding which type of solenoid is best suited for an application. This is especially true for installations where the solenoid is intended to operate in extremely humid, dusty or explosive atmospheres. Fortunately, there are specialized solenoid designs that can meet most conditions and user requirements.
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