A solenoid valve is an integral part of Electro-Pneumatic Control engineering.
This valve will control the supply of air to the inlet or suction valve in a load/unload operation of a reciprocating air compressor.
Different types of solenoid valves are available on the market. Hence in Air Compressor Technology normally open (N/O) or Normally Closed (N/C) type solenoid valve is used to perform loading/unloading action.

So, the Solenoid valve has three ports
(1) Inlet
(2) Outlet
(3) Exhaust
How Each Port is used
Inlet Port
Impulse air supply through a tube of Dia. not less than 12 mm from the air receiver through control filter connected to inlet port of solenoid valve.
Outlet Port
This port is also known as a cylinder port. This is connected through, at least 6 mm Dia. Copper or Nylon tube inlet (Suction) valve of the compressor.
Exhaust Port
This port is for the escape of trapped air in the line. It should always keep open to the atmosphere.
Details of Normal Open & Normal Closed Solenoid Valve
Normal Open (N/O)
These types of solenoid valves allow air supply to flow from the inlet port to the outlet (cylinder) port, in de-energized or normal conditions.
When energized, due to a change over in pressure switch contact stops the air supply. This type of solenoid valve is used for the load/unload operation of an air compressor.
Normal Closed (N/C)
These types of solenoid valves do not allow air supply from the inlet port to the outlet port in de-energized or normal conditions.
When energized due to change over in contact with pressure switch allows air supply to flow through cylinder port.
This type of solenoid valve is used in the 5-step control panel for increasing and decreasing the area of clearance pocket during the unloading/loading operation of the Air Compressor.
01) For the perfect functioning of the solenoid valve, always have an air filter, installed in the airline connected to a solenoid valve.
02) Always see if the nut tightening the solenoid coil is intact. If loose, tighten the top nut.
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