Solenoid Valves are electromechanical valves for use with liquid or gas. The valves are controlled by an electric current through a solenoid coil.

Solenoid valves are the most frequently used control elements in fluidics. Their tasks are to shut off, release, dose, distribute or mix fluids. They are found in many application areas. Solenoids offer fast and safe switching, high reliability, long service life, good medium compatibility of the materials used, low control power and compact design.

Solenoid valves are used in fluid power pneumatic and hydraulic systems, to control cylinders, fluid power motors or larger industrial valves. Automatic irrigation sprinkler systems also use solenoid valves with an automatic controller. Domestic washing machines and dishwashers use solenoid valves to control water entry to the machine. In the paintball industry, solenoid valves are usually referred to simply as “solenoids.” They are commonly used to control a larger valve used to control the propellant (usually compressed air or CO2). In the industry, “solenoid” may also refer to an electromechanical solenoid commonly used to actuate a sear. Besides controlling the flow of air and fluids solenoids are used in pharmacology experiments, especially for patch-clamp, which can control the application of agonist or antagonist.

Solenoid valves may have two or more ports: in the case of a two-port valve the flow is switched on or off; in the case of a three-port valve, the outflow is switched between the two outlet ports. Multiple solenoid valves can be placed together on a manifold.

Solenoid valves come in various configurations and sizes. Solenoid valves can be normally open or normally closed valves. A normally open solenoid valve allows a liquid or gas to flow through unless a current is applied to the solenoid valve. A normally closed valve works in the opposite manner.

Factory automation makes frequent use of solenoid valves. A computer device running a factory automation program to fill a container with some liquid can send a signal to the solenoid valve to open, allowing the container to fill, and then remove the signal to close the solenoid valve and stop the flow of liquid until the next container is in place. A gripper for grasping items on a robot is frequently an air-controlled device. A solenoid valve can be used to allow air pressure to close the gripper, and a second solenoid valve can be used to open the gripper.

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