Ever wonder how your car engine is triggered to start when you turn
the key? Or, how your doorbell sounds when the button is pressed? What
about how your irrigation system turns on to beautify your lawn at just
the right time?

These simple everyday occurrences happen because of a small coil of
wire used as an electromagnet. This device is referred to as a solenoid
valve.

A solenoid valve
is any component that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy
and in doing so produces a magnetic reaction. This happens each time an
electric current runs through the wire. The solenoid resembles a
corkscrew shape and is cased around an iron piston. The device functions
like a plunger, and activates a system or device when forced into
motion. When the device is stimulated, a magnetic field switches on
which pulls the armature, whether plunger or pivoted, against the action
of a spring. When activation ceases, the plunger or pivoted armature
returns back to the original position from the coil.
There are several different uses for a valve. As stated earlier in
this article, a solenoid valve can power your car to start, activate a
doorbell or start a sprinkler system. Typically, a solenoid valve is
used to activate either a fluid or hydraulic powered system. Other uses
for the valve include operating and powering central heating in your
home, a dishwasher or any other gas or fluid powered appliance or
system. Their main functions are to turn off, expel or mix fluids or
gases to create power in these specific devices or systems.

These valves vary in size, mainly in the amount of outlet port
connections they contain. Some have only 2 ports, others have multiple
ports. Valves that have 2 ports are used to switch a device or system on
or off. Valves that have multiple ports switch the control of current
flow between outlet ports. In addition to a varying number of port
connections, there are direct acting solenoid valves, as well as
internally or externally piloted solenoid valves。 All types of solenoid valves perform similar functions, but on varying levels or scales. plug valve