How to Test a Solenoid Valve?
Solenoids are found in almost all electrical appliances, from electronic door locks to the more complex machines. They are made of thin wires coiled around each other, and when current is applied to it, it produces magnetic fields for valves and switches.
There are several ways to snub the spike, and one of the ways is application of a diode across the coil, reverse biased against the current supply. This diode is often called a flywheel diode, and it provides the path for the current in the coil when the solenoid is switched off - thus eliminating completely the voltage surge. One of the drawbacks of this arrangement is the increased valve switch-off time, but when the switching speed is not an issue - this is a cheap and reliable solution to protect the circuitry against the spike. If you want to know more about coil transient voltage suppression - you can easily find more detailed information online.
Few things shouldn’t be omitted before going into the full test on the solenoids. One of them is that the fault with your car starter could be some issues with the terminals or the wires that connect your solenoid.
Step 1 Turn the power on to the solenoid valve if it is not already on. The multimeter can only test a live current, as it forms a temporary circuit with the object being tested and does not have an internal battery to avoid crosstalk in its own internal wiring that may corrupt the readings.
Step 2
Attach the red probe's alligator clip to the red electrical post on the solenoid valve. Without touching the red probe, attach the black probe to the black electrical post on the solenoid valve. If the probes touch while a current is running through the object, that can cause a short circuit in the multimeter's internal fuse.
Step 3
The quickest way to test the solenoid valve is to apply a charge directly to it. There are two wires which cross directly above the valve as it lays in the timer that you will touch with a multimeter. This should send a charge onto the valve, and if it is functioning normally, it will open. If you want to make sure that you are applying enough power to the valve, then you can take a lamp or torch bulb and hold it to the wires while the multimeter is supplying the power. A sufficient charge will light the bulb. In the event that the voltage is correct but the valve does not open, you will need to remove the whole solenoid valve and replace it.
A solenoid valve is a basic automation component to control the fluid. In this video, ATO shows how 24V DC water solenoid valve is operating internally, and then uses a multimeter to test the solenoid voltage when the power is on or off.
There are several ways to snub the spike, and one of the ways is application of a diode across the coil, reverse biased against the current supply. This diode is often called a flywheel diode, and it provides the path for the current in the coil when the solenoid is switched off - thus eliminating completely the voltage surge. One of the drawbacks of this arrangement is the increased valve switch-off time, but when the switching speed is not an issue - this is a cheap and reliable solution to protect the circuitry against the spike. If you want to know more about coil transient voltage suppression - you can easily find more detailed information online.
Few things shouldn’t be omitted before going into the full test on the solenoids. One of them is that the fault with your car starter could be some issues with the terminals or the wires that connect your solenoid.
Step 1 Turn the power on to the solenoid valve if it is not already on. The multimeter can only test a live current, as it forms a temporary circuit with the object being tested and does not have an internal battery to avoid crosstalk in its own internal wiring that may corrupt the readings.
Step 2
Attach the red probe's alligator clip to the red electrical post on the solenoid valve. Without touching the red probe, attach the black probe to the black electrical post on the solenoid valve. If the probes touch while a current is running through the object, that can cause a short circuit in the multimeter's internal fuse.
Step 3
The quickest way to test the solenoid valve is to apply a charge directly to it. There are two wires which cross directly above the valve as it lays in the timer that you will touch with a multimeter. This should send a charge onto the valve, and if it is functioning normally, it will open. If you want to make sure that you are applying enough power to the valve, then you can take a lamp or torch bulb and hold it to the wires while the multimeter is supplying the power. A sufficient charge will light the bulb. In the event that the voltage is correct but the valve does not open, you will need to remove the whole solenoid valve and replace it.
A solenoid valve is a basic automation component to control the fluid. In this video, ATO shows how 24V DC water solenoid valve is operating internally, and then uses a multimeter to test the solenoid voltage when the power is on or off.
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