Buyers Guide: Solenoid Valves 101

Written by Industrial Stores Staff 13/08/22

We’ve all been there—wondering why the new solenoid valve failed only hours into the job.

And it was heartbreaking to discover that the half-priced valve we bought online came without surge protection and now its core is all burned out.

“But it looked genuine, so what did we miss?”

Well, to save you from similar future headaches, we’ll discuss three durable solenoid valves with protective features, such as explosion-proof casings and elastomer seals. As we go over them, you’ll also learn:

• What makes a solenoid valve last
• The best solenoid valve for different functions
• The most popular brand for solenoid valves
• Where to buy high-quality solenoid valves

Types of Solenoid Valves

There are several alternatives for solenoid valves available for domestic and commercial use, including:

• Steam and hot water solenoid valves - feature polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seals for high-temperature applications such as in heating systems or boilers
• Fuel, oil & gas solenoid valves - explosion-proof and used in combustible systems such as in furnaces, incinerators, and ovens
• Directional control solenoid valves - used in hydraulic systems to change the directional flow of the hydraulic fluid
• Proportional solenoid valves - feature restrictors and are widely used in industry and medicine to control flow rates

Let's go through a few solenoid valves and their features in more detail…

1 - Asco 8220 Hot Water and Steam Solenoid Valve

The Asco 8220 solenoid valves are perfect for:

• Sterilizers
• Laundry equipment
• Dishwashing equipment
• Food service equipment
• Autoclaves
• Boilers

These valves are forged from brass with stainless steel and contain PTFE internal parts, ensuring their resilience to the high temperatures and pressure from hot water and steam. For instance, the Asco 8220 can withstand up to 125 pounds of steam pressure, giving you longer usage cycles between replacements.

Important Features of the Asco 8220 Series

• Energy efficiency - This solenoid valve uses a smaller operator which reduces energy consumption from 10.1 watts reduced to 6.1 watts.
• Durability - Asco’s PTFE diaphragm provides positive sealing and improved durability against 500,000 cycles of 125 psi of steam.
• Easy to service - Asco 8220 features a threaded bonnet for quick-access inspection and serviceability which reduces downtime and maintenance costs.
• Cost efficiency - Asco 8220 uses one valve for steam and hot water which reduces inventory costs and frees up space.

How the Asco 8220 Compares With Other Solenoid Valves

• Higher flow - Asco 8220 offers 60% more flow than standard two-way solenoid valves. This feature prevents possible flow rate fluctuations in low-pressure conditions, which is especially important for chemical processing applications.

Learn more about the Asco 8220 by checking out its reviews and latest price.

2 - Asco S262 Gas Solenoid Valve

The Asco S262 solenoid valve is used to ventilate gas combustion systems in heating equipment.

The valve allows you to safely evacuate gas from a combustion system if a leak occurs while the system is off.

This is possible because the S262 operates under zero differential pressure, meaning it’s unaffected by low-pressure conditions inside a system.

Important Features of the Asco S262 Series

• Broad ambient temperature range - S262 solenoid valves can withstand temperature fluctuations from -20 °F to 170 °F thanks to their steel core tubes.
• Aluminum die-cast body - The S262’s aluminum body is resistant to high heat, pressure fluctuations, and corrosion, allowing for safe operation. 
• Tapered pipe threads - This valve’s tapered threads ensure firm and leakage-proof joints even under high pressure, which is especially critical for volatile gases.

How the Asco S262 Compares With Other Gas Valves

• Zero-differential piloted diaphragm - While the average pilot solenoid valve needs a suitable upstream pressure differential to work (pressure at the inlet port minus the pressure at the outlet port), the Asco S262 works under zero head pressure. 

Learn more about the Asco S262 series by checking out some of its reviews and the latest price.

3 - Asco 8262 General Service Solenoid Valve

The Asco 8262 series is a general service solenoid valve with applications spanning numerous industries.

This wide use is down to the Asco 8262’s configurable nature. The valve is configurable to perform specialized tasks, such as automated liquid gas control through an explosion-proof enclosure and water control through a watertight casing.

Important Features of the Asco 8262 Solenoid Valve

• Wide ambient temperature range of -13 °F to 131 °F ensures that the Asco 8262 operates in various environments.
• Welded core tubes enable the 8262 series to achieve an air pressure rating of up to 185 pounds per square inch.
• Small poppet valves provide a tight shut-off function, preventing any possibility of leakage regardless of a system’s pressure.

How the Asco 8262 Compares With Other Solenoids Valves 

• Wide range of elastomers - Since the 8262 series is a general use solenoid valve, it features a greater variety of elastomers than most solenoid valves—for instance, fluoroelastomer, polychloroprene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber.
  
  That’s more elastomers than the 8220 series, for instance, which only has polytetrafluoroethylene and Teflon elastomers. The extra elastomers are behind Asco 8262’s versatility.

Learn more about the Asco 8262 by checking out its reviews and the latest price.

The following table summarizes the main features of the solenoid valves discussed above.

What Are Pilot Solenoid Valves?

Piloted solenoids are electromechanical valves that operate using the differential pressure of a medium such as water within its inlet and outlet ports.

As such, these valves mainly work with a medium flowing in one direction, which generates differential pressure, such as hydraulic oils and compressed air.

Advantages of Pilot Solenoid Valves

Lower Power Consumption

Because pilot solenoid valves use differential pressure to operate, they don’t require much energy to function. For instance, the GC S201 pilot valve only uses 10 watts of electricity—equivalent to an energy-saving fluorescent light bulb.

Safety in Hazardous Environments

Low power consumption means pilot solenoid valves generate less heat in their coils. This makes them safer for hazardous conditions since the valves are less likely to trigger an explosion through excessive heat dissipation.

This is why pilot solenoid valves such as the Bray 63 are used in environments classified as division 1—an atmosphere with flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor, or mist under normal conditions.

Price Range

The following table compares the current market prices of the solenoid valves discussed above.

What Others Say About Asco Solenoid Valves

Asco valves have a long-standing reputation for having a high-quality build and excellent performance across a wide range of applications.

Here are more common talking points about Asco solenoid valves:

• Versatile application and excellent performance
• Stable temperature regardless of environmental conditions
• Easy maintenance

"Our Company used Asco valves in many projects. I am very satisfied with the quality and performance of the products."
– Hanex

"Stable solenoid. Stays nice and cool even in a hot environment. Works great with propane and water."
– Matt, United States

"These seem to be the longest-lasting brand I have tried and the coil is easy to replace when it fails."
– Woody givens, United States

How Do Solenoids Valves Fail?

Several factors contribute to the eventual failure of a solenoid, such as:

• Electrical surges or spikes
• Physical damage to the internal components
• Incorrect voltage that burns out the internal coil windings

What Are the Common Problems for Solenoid Valves?

Some of the most frequent problems associated with solenoid valves include:

• Excessive noise during operation
• Frozen attachments
• Worn internal coil windings
• Stuck plungers
• Leaking

Why Do Solenoid Valves Leak?

There are two types of leakages associated with solenoid valves: internal and external. Most solenoid valves experience external leakages, usually from:

• Incorrect installation
• Worn out O-ring seals
• Deformation due to physical damage

Find That Perfect Solenoid Valve Today

So, there you have it—three excellent solenoid valves and their nifty features. Whichever option you go for, consider their:

• Temperature and pressure ratings - Select the valves with the highest ratings for more durability.
• Housing material - Select the most suitable build for your media, for instance, an explosion-proof casing if you’re handling flammable gases.
• Ease of maintenance - How available is the valve’s repair kit and how easy is it to install?

With these considerations in mind, head over to Industrial Stores and check out our huge collection of high-quality solenoid valves from various brands.

Along with an impressive catalog, Industrial Stores offers stellar customer service to guide you through your purchase. You’ll save time and money with a few tips from our eager expert team.

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