Water Solenoid Valves: Common Faults, Solutions, & Precautions

QUANJIA brass pilot-operated water solenoid valve
Figure 1: Water solenoid valve.


A solenoid water valve is a valve that allows or restricts the water flow by controlling the operation of an electromagnet. It is usually divided into two types: direct acting and indirect acting.

Water solenoid valves are widely used in water treatment, agricultural irrigation, industrial production and other fields. However, a series of problems may occur during the use of water solenoid valves, and how to solve them?

1. 4 Common Faults and Solutions of Water Solenoid Valves

1.1 Water Leakage

Solenoid water valve leakage is one of the common problems during use. The reasons may be the aging of the water valve rubber ring, the wear of the connection part between the water valve and pipes, etc. To solve this problem, the following solutions can be adopted:

1. Check whether the solenoid water valve or pipe connection is loose, and tighten it in time;
2. Replace the water valve rubber ring or connection part, and adopt correct installation.

1.2 Small Water Flow

Some users will find that the water flow is small when using the solenoid water valve, which affects the use effect. The causes and solutions are as following:

1. There is debris in the pipes that block the pipes, causing sluggish water flow. If this happens, the pipes should be cleaned at this time.
2. Water treatment process problems. If the water valve is too small or the filter is too small, replace the water valve or filter with an appropriate one.

3. There are problems with the solenoid water valve itself, such as loose sealing, etc. Repair or replace the broken seal parts in time.
4. Check whether the solenoid water valves are clean. If the problem is not solved after cleaning the water valve, it is recommended to replace it.



brass water solenoid valve
Figure 2: Water solenoid valve.

1.3 Solenoid Water Valve Not Opening or Closing Normally

1. Loose Connection
If the connector of the water solenoid valve is loose, the solenoid valve cannot be powered. Please reconnect it tightly.

2. Iron Core Stuck
The iron core of the solenoid valve is easily stuck after long-term use, causing the solenoid valve to be unable to open or close. At this time, it is necessary to disassemble the solenoid valve, clean the iron core, or replace it with a new solenoid valve.

3. Solenoid Coil Burned Out
To check whether the water solenoid valve coil is burned out, you can remove the wiring of the solenoid valve and measure it with a multimeter. If it is open circuit, the solenoid valve coil is burned out.

4. Too High Water Pressure
If the water pressure is too high, the closing/opening time of the solenoid valve will become longer or it will not close/open properly. At this time, a pressure regulator needs to be installed to reduce the water pressure to an appropriate range.

5. Unstable Power Supply Voltage
If the power supply voltage is unstable, it will affect the normal operation of the solenoid valve. At this time, you need to check whether the power supply voltage is normal and stable.

6. Solenoid Valve Wiring Error
If the solenoid valve is wired incorrectly, the solenoid valve will not work properly. At this time, you need to check whether the wiring of the solenoid valve is correct.



water solenoid valves in blue put on the ground
Figure 3: Water solenoid valve.

1.4 Water Solenoid Valve Not Operating When Energized

Causes:
1. The power wiring is defective;
2. The power supply voltage is not within the working range of the solenoid valve;
3. The coil is unsoldered;
4. Coil short circuit;
5. The fluid temperature is too high;
6. There are impurities that cause the main valve core and moving iron core of the solenoid valve to become stuck;
7. The liquid viscosity is too high, or the use frequency of the solenoid valve is too high and the service life has expired.

Solutions:
1. Reconnect the wiring and connectors;
2. Adjust the power supply voltage to the normal position range;
3. Re-solder;
4. Replace the coil;
5. Replace the solenoid valve with the appropriate one;
6. Clean the solenoid valve. If the seal is damaged, replace it and install the filter;
7. Replace the solenoid valve with the appropriate one.

1.5 Other Problems of Water Solenoid Valves

Failure causes and solutions:

1. Internal leakage → Check whether the seal is damaged and whether the spring is poorly assembled;
2. There is noise when power is on → If the solid parts are loose, tighten them. If the voltage fluctuation is not within the allowed range, adjust it. If there are impurities or unevenness on the valve core, clean or replace it in time.



brass water solenoid valves on a desk
Figure 4: Brass water solenoid valves.


2. Solenoid Water Valve Failure Prevention Methods

We have conducted statistics and analysis on common faults of solenoid water valves. Data shows that the average failure rate of solenoid water valves is about 5%. Among them, sealing failure is the most common cause, with a failure rate as high as about 45%, followed by solenoid coil failure, with a failure rate of 30%, and pipe blockage, with a failure rate of about 25%.

Preventive Measures for Solenoid Water Valve Failure:
Since the operation and maintenance of solenoid water valves involves multiple links, in order to reduce the failure rate as much as possible, it is necessary to start from many aspects. Here are some common precautions:



water solenoid valve installation diagram with two methods
Figure 5: Water solenoid valve installation diagram.


(1) Choose a solenoid water valve with reliable quality: Choose a solenoid water valve with high performance and reliability to reduce the probability of failure.

(2) Regular cleaning and maintenance: Clean and inspect the solenoid water valve regularly to remove accumulated impurities. Use neutral detergent or clean water when cleaning, and do not use highly corrosive chemicals.

(3) Regularly replace sealing parts: Sealing parts are prone to aging and therefore need to be replaced regularly.

(4) Strictly operate the solenoid valve in accordance with the instructions for use: The solenoid water valve has its own specific instructions for use, which need to be strictly followed.

(5) Check the solenoid coil: The solenoid coil is the core component of the solenoid water valve, and its condition should be checked regularly. If there is any problem, it should be repaired or replaced in time.

(6) Pay attention to the voltage: When using the solenoid water valve, you should pay attention to its voltage to ensure that it is within the normal working range.

In short, the solenoid water valve is a commonly used water control device, but some faults may occur during its use, which need to be dealt with in time. We hope the solutions and preventive measures introduced in this article will be helpful to users. If the problem still cannot be solved after trying the above methods, it is recommended to seek help from professional maintenance personnel.

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