5 Way 3 Position Double Solenoid Valve Open Centers

Size 1/4" to 1/2" BSP
Function 5 way 3 position (open centres) double solenoid with manual override
Valve Operation Servo Assisted
Body Aluminium
Seat NBR
Pressure Range 1.5 to 8 BAR
Media Air

• What is a Five Way Three Position Open Center Solenoid Valve?

  A Five Way Three Position Open Center Solenoid Valve is a solenoid operated valve (one at each end) that has five ways and three positions. The easiest way to explain this is that it has one supply port (pressure in), two advance ports (outlet ports that go from the valve to the actuator or ram) and two exhaust ports (ports that exhaust air from the ram or cylinder). It then has three positions or states whith two which are opposite of each other and a center state that has all ports open (we say all ports but it is both outlet ports and both exhaust ports, the inlet pressure port is blocked). For instance in one state air will flow from one outlet port while air is exhausted back through the other port while it is reversed in its other state. The third state, which is the middle position, all ports will be open, this is the valve's resting state and it is automatically put to this state when there is no power to either coil by utilising springs in the valve. The valve is changed position through a Solenoid Coil at each end of the valve.

• How does a 5 way 3 position Open Center Double Solenoid Valve work?

  These valves are commonly referred to in the industry as a 5/3 Open Centers Solenoid Valve. This is because they have 5 ways and 3 positions and are operated by a solenoid at each end of the valve with a middle position which has all ports open and the valve is returned here using springs when neither coil is powered. Each solenoid coil has copper windings around it that when energised create a magnetic field and lift an armature in the valve. This allows the spool to move over within the valve (a minimum pressure differential is used to assist this) and move the valve to its new position. The middle port on the bottom of the valve is the inlet or pressure supply port, from here it will go out one of the outlet ports on top of the valve to the ram or actuator while the other outlet port will be taking the exhaust air from the other side of the ram/actuator piston and directing that through the body of the valve to one of the exhaust ports on the bottom of the valve (next to the inlet pressure port). When the valve is operated from the other coil this sequence is just reversed. When there is no signal the valve is in its center position which has all ports open (when we say all ports it means that both the outlet and exhaust ports are open so effectively all air is exhausted from both sides of the piston in the ram). There is also a manual override button at each end of the valve. This button can be pressed to operate the valve without power.

• How do I know that a 5 way 3 Position Open Center Solenoid Valve is the right valve for me?

  The first thing to check is what you want your air ram or pneumatic actuator to do. If you want a function where you can move a ram one way or another using a solenoid but when there is no power then all air in the ram will exhaust then this is the correct valve. If this is just an open/close (full stroke) cycle then this valve is not the best suited and you would be better going with a single or double solenoid 5/2 valve. The next thing to check is whether you want closed or open centers for the middle position of the valve. The vast majority of situations require closed centers which will stop the actuator or ram where it is so be careful to check this as this valve will not do this. Open centers, like this model, will exhaust all air out of the ram/actuator when the 5/3 valve is at rest (no power to either coil). Once you have worked this out you can size your 5/3 valve and choose the correct voltage.

• How long will my 5/3 Open Center Solenoid Valve last?

  Like any valve this depends upon the usage case, duty cycle and external environment of the valve. The pressure, temperature and characteristics of the media (eg. is it clean filtered air) will have a large bearing on how long your valve lasts. If your valve is cycling every second, 24 hours a day (ours are 100% duty rated which means they can do this as long as the heat can be dissipated) then its life will be shorter than one which is used once a day. Your valve also will take in a small amount of air from the atmosphere through the exhaust ports in the bottom of the valve as the spool moves over within the valve. We recommend using silencers or speed controllers to protect against ingress of foreign materials here. The electrical supply to your coils can also determine the valve's life as voltage spikes can short the coils (the same as any electrical equipment). 

• What are typical uses of a 5 Way 3 Position Open Center Solenoid Valve ?

  These 5/3 open centers solenoid valves are mainly used on pneumatic cylinders (air rams) where the user wants to stop it somewhere on its stroke and exhaust all air out of the ram. For instance you could manually move the ram when this happens but just remember that the ram will be fully exhausted so when it is actuated again it will rapidly accelerate as it has no air on the other side of the piston to exhaust. This is a very niche application however they do exist.

• How do I install my 5/3 Open Center Solenoid Valve?

  The inlet pressure port is the middle port on the bottom (the bottom will have three ports with the middle being the pressure port and the port either side been an exhaust port) so this is where the air pressure is connected (if it is manifolded it will be the shared pressure supply port). From here the two outlet ports on the top of the 5/3 valve will be connected to the two ports on the pneumatic actuator or ram (even if the actuator is a spring return model it is best to connect both ports to the valve as you will ensure clean filtered air is used in the actuator not the surrounding environmental air). The two exhaust ports on the bottom of the valve can be left open however we do recommend a silencer or exhaust speed controller is used to protect it from the surround environment and control the speed. The DIN plugs on the coils can be connected to the power and ensure that each entrance to the coil is facing down with a sufficient drip loop to avoid condensation running down the lead and into the plug.

• How long will my product take to get to me? 

  This depends upon where you are based and the freight method chosen. If the express freight option is selected it is usually next day delivery to metropolitan areas in Australia for under 5kg. If free freight has been selected it will go by road freight which can be anywhere from 1 to 10 days depending upon your location. It usually averages 3 days. You can rely on us to do everything to despatch your order the same day we receive it, this is what we do.

• What warranty do I get?

  We have been manufacturing Solenoid Valves for over 30 years so we have a lot of experience at making a great valve. All of our products come standard with a 12 month warranty. The good news is we have very strict quality controls and all solenoid valves leave our warehouse tested (full material and testing certificates are available) and inspected so there are rarely any issues. Also once your valve is in and operating it will most likely continue to do so for a very long time barring any debris getting caught in the valve or power spikes causing the coil to fail.