5 Common Solenoid Valve Problems and Their Solutions
Solenoid valves offer a large variety of applications in several industries and their high penetration in the marketplace keeps a constant demand for them. It is estimated that their global market will increase from USD 3.44 Billion in 2015 to reach USD 4.41 Billion by 2022, according to a report published by MarketsAndMarkets Research.
The pneumatic solenoid valve, also referred to as a pneumatic valve, is the most commonly used automatic valve because of its high efficiency, ease of use, and relatively low prices. Some of the major end-user industries that maintain a constantly high demand for these products include oil and gas, automotive, food and beverages, and the utility sector, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence. Although used for several different applications, these valves face some common issues due to which they are unable to operate.
Here are 5 such issues with solenoid valves and their simple solutions:
Issue #1
One of the most common problems with these valves is that their terminal becomes loose or their wire terminal falls off due to which the solenoid valve does not get energized. To avoid this problem, you should frequently tighten the wire terminal or check it before use.
Issue #2
The wetted components of solenoid valves constantly come in contact with fluid or gas media as it flows through them. If they are not regularly inspected, it could cause component lockup due to rust or disintegrated O-rings and gaskets that may restrict the operation of these valves. That is why it is important to always review the compatibility of the wetted components and working fluid before selecting a valve, according to a blog post published by Clark Cooper.
Issue #3
The solenoid valve coil may burn out due to overload or unstable voltage. In case of an emergency, you can switch the manual button on the coil from the “0” position to the “1” position during normal operation to open the valve.
Issue #4
There is a very small gap between the valve sleeve and the valve core of the solenoid valve. With many of them being assembled through a single piece, the valve could freeze if there is insufficient lubricating oil or the impurities enter into it. You can fix the valve by disassembling the valve, taking out the valve core and valve core sleeve, and then cleaning it with cci4. It will allow the valve core to move flexibly in the valve sleeve. However, you should be careful about the assembly sequence of each part during this process. Also, make sure that lubricating oil is sufficient in the valve.
Issue #5
Some failures of solenoid valves are because of air leakage. It causes insufficient air pressure inside the valve and makes it difficult to open and close the valve. It may even cause damage to the sealing gasket or wear of the slide valve that can result in blow-by in several cavities. To fix this issue, make sure you process the solenoid valve only when it is de-energized during the switching gap. If it is not possible to do so, suspend the switching system and then handle the valve calmly.
The problems mentioned above are common in the daily operation process of the solenoid valves. However, you can easily take care of them with preventive maintenance and regular inspection of the valves.
