Low Power Solenoids

Versatile Controls Ltd exclusively represents Versa Products in the UK and Ireland.

In the earliest days of solenoid-controlled valves, the power requirements for solenoid coils were extremely high. As a result, automating process valves was very limited in practice. In addition, plenty of consideration had to be given to specific challenges such as heat, large gauge wiring, and consistent power supply. 

Solenoid power consumption isn’t nearly as demanding in today’s world since high wattage is only 5 – 10 watts. However, the scale of valve automation has grown to a point where even the modern coil’s standard power requirements can limit real-world applications.

For starters, high-watt coils cost more to operate. Current electricity rates are soaring, further, it’s not uncommon for an industrial facility to have hundreds, if not thousands, of individual solenoid coils continuously operating at once. Consider that Versa’s standard XX coil option operates at 9.5 watts. Our XXN4 option is an upgraded solenoid reliability package that only draws 1.8 watts. The change can result in a drop of over 80% in operating costs. In high-volume, continuous operation applications, the energy savings can pay for upgrade expenses in a matter of months. The lower power consumption also contributes to the lower overall carbon footprint of the entire operation. Of course, all this is without mention of the other performance upgrades included in the XXN4 solenoid reliability package.

Beyond cost, low-watt solenoids can solve a few Real World Reliability issues. For one, every solenoid coil generates heat. The higher the wattage necessary to operate, the more heat generated. Often, a continuously operating solenoid can burn an unprotected hand. Maintenance technicians have learned this lesson the hard way. Heat generation may be acceptable in open-air applications. Still, once the coil is packaged in an enclosure or installed next to any sensitive equipment, a high heat scenario may prove costly. Furthermore, hot running coils will limit a systems’ ambient temperature ratings. In some cases, a low-watt coil can nearly double the maximum ambient temperature rating of a valve.

For the applications that require low power, generous flow, and a direct-acting valve, Versa has a newly developed solution. Traditionally our D-series high-flow, direct-acting valves required 2.6 watts to operate. With the addition of our new low power suppressor option, suffix option -LLP, the wattage requirement reduces to 1.3 watts after initial in-rush. This new option opens up new applications for Versa’s high-flow, direct-acting valves.

For further information, contact Versatile Controls Ltd:

Email:            sales@versatilecontrols.co.uk

Tel:                01452 731447

Website:        www.versatilecontrols.co.uk

Published: 2nd November 2022