Solenoid valve fault-finding guide.At some point in their life, a solenoid valve will fail and stop working. The reasons for valve failure and vast and varied from dirt ingress, damage, worn out, maintenance mistakes or simply the solenoid valve is not suited to the application at hand. Some initial key pointers before you start troubleshooting here are:

If the valve never worked - this might indicate that the valve is not suited for the application. i.e. wrong pressure, type or voltage etc, was installed incorrectly or was damaged. Check all specifications with your solenoid valve supplier.
If the valve was working before - this might indicate that either some system changes have affected the valve, or debris has become lodged inside, so some simple valve maintenance will bring the valve back online and working correctly. Check with your solenoid valve supplier before purchasing any spare solenoid armatures, solenoid seals or solenoid coils.

Solenoid Valve only opens slightly

Dirt ingress under the diaphragm

Clean diaphragm / piston seals or replace if damaged. See spare parts list, maybe fit Y type strainer upstream.

Low pressure

Check inlet/ outlet pressure difference (Differential) is in line with valve specification. If too low, the valve will need replacing with 0 rated version. Remember that the downstream outlet side pressure will rise, especially if the outlet pipework rises vertically to a tank, is restricted by another valve or the pipe reduces in size.

If so the outlet pressure downstream is subtracted from the supply side pressure upstream to calculate the pressure difference or differential. Other system demands may also reduce the overall supply pressure and further reduce differential pressure.

Damaged or bent armature tube

Replace tube. See spare parts.

Corrosion

Replace damaged components and check media compatibility of the valve and seal material. See our chemical compatibility charts.

Do not use EPDM seals on Oils or Fats as the seals will swell and restrict flow. Call our technical help line or soak seals overnight to see if seal swells up

Missing components after maintenance

Replace parts according to the spares listing. Solenoid Armatures and Solenoid Seals

Solenoid Valve fails to open

Failed power supply

Check if valve is normally closed (Power to open) Or Normally Open (Power to close) Use magnetic detector lift coil slightly to check if magnetic field is present.

Do not remove coil if energised as IT WILL BURN OUT

Check contacts Check wire connections and DIN connector.

Check fuses.

Wrong Voltage

Check coil marked voltage is correct for supply.

Check voltage tolerances normally +/- 10% however refer to solenoid valve data sheet.

Some AC (alternating Current) coils work on the principle of creating an inrush condition to open the valve, check your power supply is rated for the coil current requirements.

Most valves will have cable plugs rated to IP65, ensure cable gland and cable diameter are matched, plug connecting screw correctly tightened and allow cable to drop under cable gland to help prevent ingress of water droplets.

Coil burnt out

See coil burnt section

Pressure – Too High

Check coil power rating, higher power version may be required. Reduce inlet pressure in line with valve specification as shown in solenoid valve data sheet.

Pressure – Too Low

Check inlet/ outlet pressure difference (Differential) is in line with design conditions of the valve.

If too low valve will need replacing with 0 rated assisted lift version.

Remember that the downstream pressure will rise with vertical pipework, other control equipment or systems.

The outlet pressure should be deducted from the inlet supply pressure to give the pressure difference or differential, and other system demands from the inlet may also reduce the overall supply pressure and further reduce pressure differentials.

Damaged Armature tube Replace armature tube. See spare parts list.

Dirt ingress in armature tube

Clean valve armature or replace. Suspended particles of dirt can be filtered out with a filter strainer, always mount valve with coil upright to reduce wear on the top of the solenoid armature if any dirt gets into the medium. If hard water scale builds up; install water softener or install a motor actuated ball valve, otherwise install Y type strainer to filter out suspended particles.

Corrosion

Replace damaged components and check media compatibility with valve.See our chemical compatibility charts.

If the armature is pitted due to cleaning or dosing fluid? Some acids will attack the 430F stainless armature, which is corrosion resistant but not guaranteed to withstand all fluids.

Missing components after maintenance

Replace parts according to spares listing.

Solenoid valve fails to close or partly closes

Dirt ingress under diaphragm or piston seals.

Clean diaphragm or piston seals and remove any debris. Fit filter upstream to prevent debris entering valve.

Residual power to coil

Lift the coil slightly to check if magnetic field is present. Do not completely remove the coil if energised as IT WILL BURN OUT.

Check wiring diagram, Check lead connections.#

Dirt ingress in pilot hole under coil armature

Clean orifice with pin or compressed air.

Manual override

Check position of manual override and adjust if required.

Pressure pulse upstream.

Check valve technical data for the solenoid valve and replace if necessary.

Pressure difference in/out too high

Check pressure and flow

Outlet pressure occasionally higher than inlet pressure fit check or motor actuated ball valve

Check other items in installation.

Damaged or bent armature tube

Replace tube. See spare parts for solenoid valve.

Diaphragm inverted

Refit diaphragm correctly or replace with new part. See valve seal and spares.

Dirt ingress in armature tube

Clean valve armature or replace. If hard water scale build up, install water softener or motor ball valve.

Corrosion in pilot orifice

Replace damaged components, check valve specification in suitable for application, see solenoid valve catalogue.

Valve installed wrong way around

Check flow direction is in line with flow direction arrow or in/out markings on ports.

Missing components after maintenance

Replace parts according to spares listing.

Water Hammer Fault Finding

Valve Noise Appears Incorrect

Armature cannot reach top due to over pressure or debris.

Check armature tube and armature assembly for debris and clean or replace accordingly.

Check system pressure is in accordance with valve specification. Reduce system pressure.

Buzz 50 or 60Hz AC buzz. Use DC solenoid coil with DC supply or fit bridge rectified connector to convert AC supply to DC for new DC solenoid coil.

Water hammer when valve opens

Caused by high liquid velocity and high pressure through small pipe bore.

Install a closed vertical T piece pipe in before the valve to trap an air pocket to dampen noise.

Reduce inlet pressure.

Increase pipe size to reduce velocity.

Install slow closing, anti water hammer solenoid valve

Install motor actuated ball valve.

Water hammer when valve closes

Caused by high liquid velocity and high pressure through small pipe bore. Ask supplier to reduce closing time of valve. This can be done carefully by increasing slightly (10-20%) the size of the pilot pressure equalising hole in the diaphragm. Too much and valve will not open.

Reduce inlet pressure

Increase pipe size to reduce velocity.

Install slow closing water solenoid valve.

Install anti water hammer valve.

Install motor actuated ball valve.

Difference in inlet/ outlet pressure, too high or pulsating pressure line. Check valve specification in solenoid-valve catalogue. Check pressure and flow. Check solenoid valve data sheet specifications or replace with for more suitable valve for application. Check other items in installation.

Solenoid Coils & Media

Coil Armature Slow

Replace damaged armature, see spares section.

Check media compatibility with valve.

Bent armature tube, replace accordingly.

Dirt in armature tube, clean and fit Y type strainer.

Coil Burnt / Melted or Cold with Power On

Check coil marked voltage is correct with power supply. Change coil for correct one if required.

Check wiring and wiring diagram

Check voltage tolerance, normally +/- 10% consult solenoid valve catalogue.

Coil Short Circuit

Check remaining installation for short circuit Check lead connections at coil and DIN connector

Check for moisture in coil, replace as required.

According to the laws of physics current can only flow in a closed circuit, if this is interrupted that current can no longer flow. So a burnt coil is open circuit - no current.

Check coil IP rating according to technical data in solenoid valve catalogue

Media Temperature Too High

Check media temperature against valve technical data in solenoid-valve catalogue. Move valve to cooler area or increase ventilation around valve & coil. Check you have correct function normally closed or normally open.