A 12 volt solenoid is an actuating device with a coil of wire wound around an insulated hollow core and a ferrous metal plunger. It operates on a 12 volt DC or AC supply and is commonly used in automotive applications. When power flows to the coil, a magnetic field is generated, drawing the plunger towards the core and activating the secondary mechanism. When power ceases, the magnetic field collapses, and the return spring returns the plunger to its neutral position.
A 12 volt solenoid is an electromagnetic actuating device designed to operate on a 12 volt direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) supply. Similar in every way to the rest of the solenoid actuator family, the 12-volt solenoid consists of a coil of wire wound around an insulated hollow core and a ferrous metal plunger, or armature, as it is often called. The coil is secured with the free plunger positioned so that the end closest to the coil is adjacent to the mouth of the hollow core. Unless the operated mechanism has some form of return mechanism, the plunger will be equipped with a return spring. These 12 volt solenoids are commonly used in automotive applications such as engine function controllers.
Solenoids are part of the family of actuator devices that provide remote or automated actuation or regulation of secondary mechanisms. They are the simplest of actuators, consisting of only one static part and one moving part, and are available in a wide range of sizes, powers and nominal voltages. One of the commonly encountered variations of these devices is the 12 volt solenoid. These devices share all the physical characteristics of the solenoid family, but are specifically rated to operate on a 12 volt supply. This can include both AC and DC power, although the DC variant is the more common of the two.
As with all of its peers, the 12-volt solenoid consists of a static coil made of suitably rated copper wire wound around an insulated hollow core. The two free ends of the coil are connected to a 12 volt supply interrupted by a control mechanism. A movable plunger constructed of an iron-based alloy sits near the coil, with one end near the core opening. A return spring is fitted around the plunger or on the operated mechanism. This is to reset the plunger at the end of each work cycle.
When the control mechanism is activated and power flows to the 12 volt solenoid coil, a powerful magnetic field is generated around the coil assembly. Due to the ferrous metal construction of the plunger, this field has a strong attractive effect on it, rapidly drawing it towards and into the hollow core of the coil. The plunger is attached to the mechanism operated by a linkage through which it transfers its movement. The rapid movement of the plunger thus activates the secondary mechanism, completing the first half of the working cycle.
When the secondary device requests deactivation, the control circuit is disabled and power ceases to flow to the solenoid coil. This causes the magnetic field to collapse and release its grip on the plunger, at which point the return spring returns it to its neutral position, completing the second half of the duty cycle. The 12 volt rating of these solenoids makes them especially useful in smaller, lighter weight applications such as activating various motors and general automotive functions and sprinkler systems.
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