Difference between snap acting relay and solenoid valve

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Thread Starter

Priyanka

what is the difference between snap acting relay or solenoid valve? Can we used one at another place?

Pl provide details
 
Priyanka,

Have you held both devices you are trying to interchange in your hand(s), or held one or the other while looking at the device you wish to replace? They are--usually--very different devices.

A snap action relay (sometimes called a snap acting relay) is a device with contacts, usually for switching power or current flow to some device (such as a solenoid valve, or a control system, or an indicating light, etc.). Most simple snap action devices do not have an electromagnetic coil, and are mechanically actuated by some lever or pressure or temperature.

Some snap action relays will, once actuated by pressure or temperature or position, retain their new state until somehow reset (manually, or mechanically, or electrically). This kind of switch usually has springs and latches to do this.

A solenoid valve, or more correctly called a solenoid-operated valve, is a device with an electromagnetic coil, and when power is applied to or removed from that coil some mechanical action happens--a plunger moves in or out, or rotates some portion of a circle. This mechanical movement can be used to open or close a valve (which is part of the solenoid-operated valve) to allow or prevent flow of some fluid (including gases, like air (pneumatic systems), or liquids (like oil or water).

So, the two are usually very different devices--unless the manufacturer has "confused" names and applications. But relays don't generally act as "valves" to control flows of gases or liquids. They aren't usually connected to pipes or tubes or hoses (unless they are part of a temperature- or pressure- or limit switch). And solenoid-operated valves don't generally have snap action relays attached to them (though some do or may have a snap action relay as an option or accessory--for status indication).

Try using your preferred Internet search engine to ask:

"What is a snap action relay?" (you usually don't need the double quotation marks, but sometimes it helps).

You can do the same with 'solenoid-operated valve'.

The results would typically give you general information about the devices.

Another possible source for information about devices and instruments like this might be www.omega.com. They publish several general theory books for many different kinds of sensors and devices and have some very good information. In the past the books were printed and bound; I believe they now distribute them via electronic format (a free download, for which you might only have to provide your email address).

Hope this helps!
 
Dear Sir,

Thank you for your prompt reply.Could you let me know what is actual requirement in the given below application.

Input air pressure.60 psig (fix) will transmitted to output port in normally open (NO) conditions. On trigger signal through solenoid valve

the output port will close and cylinder pressure will release by exhaust port for valve opening.(Air pressure is reqd for additional thrust for not passing the liquid from on-off valve)

Early response will be highly appreciated
 
Priuyanka,

This specification is for a solenoid-operated valve--a device that controls the flow (on/off) of air through a valve that is opened/closed by the de-energization or energization of an electromagnetic solenoid coil.

The spec seems to be describing a normally open solenoid-operated valve that closes when the electromagnetic solenoid is energized.
 
T

Timothy Niemczyk

> Thank you for your prompt reply.Could you let me know what is actual requirement in the given below application.

> Input air pressure.60 psig (fix) will transmitted to output port in normally open (NO) conditions. On trigger signal through solenoid valve

> the output port will close and cylinder pressure will release by exhaust port for valve opening.(Air
> pressure is reqd for additional thrust for not passing the liquid from on-off valve)

Try www.pretechsolutionsinc.com for cold coil monitoring.
 
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