Guidelines

for Selecting
Valves
There is much to consider
when choosing the right
valves for an application.
Here are some basics,
important considerations,
and guidelines for energy
efficiency.
Presented by Sponsored by
TM

EXCELLENCE BY CONTROL

The two primary characteristics for selecting a positive seal so that fluid does not flow normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC)
a directional-control valve are the number when the valve is closed. However, the sliding operation. A NO valve passes fluid when it is
of fluid ports and the number of positions motion of a spool can cause wear, which com- not energized. When the valve is shifted, it
the valve can achieve. Valve ports provide a promises the sealing integrity of spool valves. closes to block flow. In contrast, a NC valve
passageway for fluid (liquid or gas) to flow Therefore, a spool valve may pass fluid even if blocks flow when it is un-energized. Shifting
into and out of the valve. A valve with only an it is closed. a NC valve opens the valve so it passes flow.
inlet and outlet port is a 2-port (often called a Two-position valves are also available in a
2-way) valve. A valve with one inlet and two Basics of Two-position
3-way configuration. Instead of blocking or
outlet ports or two inlet and one outlet Valves
passing fluid flow, they pass fluid through
port is called a 3-port or 3-way valve. The Two-way, two-position valves can be visual- two of their three ports and block flow to a
number of positions refers to the number of ized as a fluid switch; fluid flows when the third (usually exhaust) when in one position.
distinct flow paths a valve can provide. valve is open, and fluid flow is blocked when When shifted (energized), they unblock the
Two-position valves operate either on or the valve is closed. This naming convention third port and block one of the other two.
off, whereas spool valves use a sliding spool is just the opposite of that used for electrical Two-position valves often are shifted manu-
to achieve two, three, or more positions. switches which pass current when they ally, especially when used as a shutoff valve.
Two-position valves use a plunger, poppet, or are closed and block current when they are When physical effort would be too great
ball that seals against a seat, which provides open. Two-way valves are available for either for manual shifting (and in some special-

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 indefinitely without drawing power. A brief
DC voltage pulse shifts the valve open, and a
reverse pulse polarity pulse shifts it closed.

Valve Actuators
Valve actuators are the parts that apply force
to shift a valves flow directing elements,
such as a poppet or plunger. The speed and
frequency of valve shifting are key factors in
fluid power system performance. As long as
the actuator produces enough force to shift
the valve, the system designer can select any
appropriate actuator for the conditions and
type of control under which the system will
operate.
Actuators for directional-control valves are
either mechanical, pilot, electrical, or a com-
bination of these. Different types of actuators
A 2-way, normally closed valve, top, is held closed by a spring, and opens when its solenoid is can be installed on the same basic valve
energized. A 2-way normally open valve, bottom, is held open by a spring an blocks flow design. A common valve body often is used
when its solenoid is energized. that accepts a variety of different actuators.

ized machines), 2-position valves may use

compressed air or other pressurized fluid
to provide the power to shift them open or
closed. However, for most automated equip-
ment, electricity is used to shift valves from
one position to another.
Choosing between NO or NC operation is an
important consideration for energy efficiency.
For example, if a machine only needs to
block flow intermittently, a NO valve should
be specified because it will only use electric
power periodically. During the majority of
machine or system operation, it will pass flow
without using any electrical power. However,
when used in a safety function, the valve may
need to block flow if electrical power is lost.
In this case, a NC would be specified because
it will block flow if electrical power is lost. A
third option is a latching valve, which pro-
vides an energy-saving alternative. Latching
valves use a permanent magnet to hold them Solenoids are available in a wide
open or closed once theyve been shifted. variety of voltages, power ratings, and configurations.
This allows them to stay in either state Three common construction options are shown here.

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With a mechanical actuator, a machine ele-
ment or person pushes, pulls, or turns the
valves flow-directing element to shift it to
Opportunities in Energy Savings
another position. Manual actuators include To make the most of energy conservation, valves should be selected that will be de-energized
levers, palm buttons, push buttons, pedals, whenever possible. The longer a valve has to be energized, the more electrical power it will use.
cams, rollers, stems, and screws. However, when theres no getting around having valves energized continuously for long periods,
choosing valves with lowpower solenoids can save enough energy to more than pay for
Springs are used in most valves to hold the the valve over its operating life. Low-power valves also generate less heat, which can be an
flow-directing element in an un-energized importantconsideration when many valves are installed into a small enclosure.
position. A spring holds the non-actuated Peter Paul has developed several lines of valves to meet todays demands for economy of space
valve in one position until an actuating force and energy consumption. For hazardous locations, Peter Pauls UL approved, low watt, miniature
great enough to compress the spring shifts Series 50 EW hazardous location valve offers minimal space and energy requirements (only 5 W
the valve either open or closed. When the AC or DC) in volatile environments. This valve is the smallest hazardous location solenoid, with
actuating force is removed, the spring returns the best ambient and high temperature ratings on the market. A NEMA 4 rating is standard. The
Series 50 EW miniature valve with encapsulated coil also serves as a general-purpose valve for
the valve to its original position.
pneumatic and hydraulic conditions.
Pilot-actuated valves are shifted by pressur- Series EL 50 (1.8 W AC or DC) and ELL50 (0.85 W DC) is a line of miniature explosion-proof
ized fluid (air or oil) that applies force to a general-purpose or safety valves for pneumatic and hydraulic applications. The versatility of these
piston that shifts the valves flow-directing el- valves accommodates the handling of hot air, hot water, refrigerants and many other media by
ement. Pilot-actuated valves can be mounted the use of different inserts.
in any convenient or remote location to which Series ELW and ELLW are also UL approved, low watt, miniature hazardous location valves offer-
pressurized fluid can be piped. The absence of ing compact design and low energy requirements in volatile environments. The valves draw 1.8 W
sparks and heat buildup makes pilot-actuated using AC or DC power, whereas the ELLW version draws only W in from DC. This valve uses the
valves attractive for applications in flammable smallest hazardous location solenoid, with the best ambient and high temperature ratings on the
or explosive environments. market. A NEMA-4 rating is standard. The Series 50 ELW miniature valve with encapsulated coil
also serves as a general-purpose valve for pneumatic and hydraulic conditions.
However, solenoids are the most common General purpose or safety valves for pneumatic and hydraulic applications, the Series 50 LW valve
method of actuation. Simply put, a solenoid draws only 2.5 W using AC or DC power. Although not a safety valve, the Series 50 LLW valve
is a coil of wire wrapped around a moveable draws only 0.65 W using DC. The versatility of these valves is increased to include the handling of
metal core with a small space between them. hot air, hot water, refrigerants and many other media, by the use of different seals.
Running an electric current through the General purpose or safety valves for pneumatic and hydraulic applications, the Series 50 SLW
coil creates a magnetic field that moves the valve draws only 1.8 W using AC or DC power. Although not a safety valve, the Series 50 SLLW
metal core. The core is attached to the valves valve draws only W using DC. The versatility of these valves is increased to include the handling
flowdirecting element, so the valve shifts of hot air, hot water, refrigerants and many other media, by the use of different seals.
as a result of the electrical power. When the Finally, although it is not considered a low-watt valve because it requires 10 W power, the Series
current is cut off, a spring returns the valve to 20 Magnetic Latching Valve can be a super energy saver. Thats because it requires a 10-W switch-
its un-energized state. ing signal for less than second. In fact, this type of valve is
often used in remote areas where continuous power may
Solenoid valves are especially popular for not be available or with battery-powered portable
industrial machines because of the wide avail- equipment where power capacity is limited. It is also
ability of electric power in facilities. However, valuable in equipment such as in medical and chemical
mobile equipment makes extensive use of analyzers, where coil heating from continuous application
of power is undesirable. Magnetic latching valves are
solenoidoperated valves as well. Solenoids
available in 2-way NC, 2-way NO,
operate from either AC or DC power, and the and 3-way NC configurations.
selection of AC or DC depends on the form of
electrical power available. A magnetic latching valve acts as a toggle switch for
fluid control. Once shifted openor closed, it will remain
There is a practical limit to the force that
in that position untilit receives anelectrical signal of
solenoids can generate. This means they reverse polarity.
cannot directly operate valves requiring high

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 sphere or to a common air exhaust line.
A 3-way NO valve routes compressed air to
a pneumatic cylinder and blocks the valves
exhaust port. Energizing the valve blocks
compressed air to the cylinder and opens the
cylinder port to exhaust. Again, the valves
exhaust port can simply be vented to atmo-
sphere or to a common air exhaust line
In a 3-way directional control valve, the supply
port is open to the first of two outlet ports
while the second outlet port is blocked. Shift-
ing the valve routes flow to the second outlet
port and blocks it to the first port.
A 3-way multi-purpose valve works like the
directional control version, except that reverse
Single-acting air cylinders are a common application for 3-way valves. In the example above, left,
flow can occur inlet to outlet or outlet to
a normally open valve routes air to the cylinder to extend its piston. Energizing the solenoid shifts
the valve and allows the cylinder spring to push air out of the cylinder through the valve. At right,
inlet.
a normally closed valve blocks compressed air flow to the cylinder, so the cylinders spring keeps No matter what the configuration, the valve
the piston retracted. Energizing the valves solenoid shifts the valve to route compressed air into the must be selected based on the cross-sectional
cylinder, extending its piston. area of its internal flow path known as ori-
fice size. For a given fluid at a given flow rate
shifting forces. Furthermore, valves
using large solenoids can require substantial
electrical power when valves must remain
actuated for long intervals. Heat buildup can
also pose problems in these situations. The so-
lution is to use small, low-power solenoids in Housing Options
combination with pilot pressure. The solenoid
starts and stops pilot flow, and pilot pressure Solenoid Coil
provides the high force to shift the valves Options
flow-directing mechanism.

Valve Configurations
In addition to 2-way NO and 2-way NC closed,
Peter Paul also offers two-position valves in
other useful configurations. Many lend them-
selves to specific applications. Port Options
For example, a 3-way NC blocks compressed
air from reaching a single- acting, spring- Body Options
return pneumatic cylinder and vents the
cylinder port to exhaust. Energizing the valve
blocks the port to atmosphere and routes
compressed air to the cylinder port. The valves Sizing and selecting a solenoid valve requires evaluating several different options to meet
exhaust port can simply be vented to atmo- mounting, media, and electrical requirements of the application.

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 Shown here are samples of manifold, manifold
mounted valves can save space, reduce potential
leakage, cut installation time, and reduce
costs over their line-mounted counterparts.

and temperature, the larger the orifice, the or even 5,000 psi. Medical, laboratory, instru- Selecting the type of valve, function, port
lower the pressure drop (P) it will produce. mentation, industrial, and other companies configuration, body material, and orifice size
So in addition to the type of valve and configu- that require highpressure bottled oxygen, addresses the fluid, or wetted, portion of the
ration, orifice size is an important specification carbon dioxide, and nitrogen use these valves valve. The exterior of the valve addresses the
that must be considered. Standard orifice sizes in various applications. housing configuration.
for Peter Paul valves run from 1/32 to 1 in. Of course, the type of fluid and its temperature What type of solenoid (coil) will be used, and
must be considered when choosing the valves where with it be located? Will a DC or AC coil
Sizing and Selection
materials of construction. Standard materials be used, and at what voltage? How will the
Valves come in many standard port configu- from Peter Paul include stainless steel, brass, coil be connected to the electrical supply?
rations but also can be ordered with ports aluminum, and plastic, each offering unique
configured to an application. For example, capabilities of chemical and temperature Conclusion
ports can be placed in line with each other, compatibility. In summary, choosing a solenoid valve for any
parallel to each other, next to each other, or at application requires evaluating several charac-
right angles to each other. Mounting and Installation teristic of the application. First, what fluid will
They can also be ordered for use where fire or Traditional valves are built in a configuration be controlled, and what is its temperature,
explosion hazards exist due to the presence of for inline mounting, which involves connect- pressure and flow rate? Is a 2-way or 3-way
flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, ing two or three fluid lines to their respective valve needed, and should it be NO or NC? This
combustible dust, or easily ignitable fibers. valve port. The labor involved can be time will help determine what type and size valve
Hazardous location valves are recommended, consuming and especially difficult when should be specified. Will the valve be used in
or in some cases compulsory, where a high working in cramped quarters. Therefore, a potentially flammable, explosive, corrosive,
level of protection from explosion is required. many designers specify manifold mounting to or wet environment? What size piping will be
For applications that require low power, a low reduce installation time and provide a more used and at what orientation? What control
watt version is also offered. compact assembly of multiple valves. voltage is available, and is the power AC or DC?
An increasingly popular option for general How will the solenoid coil be connected to the
The manifold contains a network of prede- control wiring?
purpose or safety valves in pneumatic and signed passageways so that each valve can be
hydraulic applications is valves with a low installed into a single cavity. In many cases, Another important consideration is energy
wattage solenoid. The low power draw of the valves can be installed and wired in an efficiency. Lowwatt valves can save substantial
these valves has increased their application to assembly area, tested, then installed as a energy over their lifetime, making them a
include hot air, other media, through the use single unit. Manifold mounting can dramati- wise investment. They also produce little heat
of different seals. cally reduce installation time and cost, provide buildup, which can also be important, espe-
Another consideration is highpressure valves, cleaner and more compact designs, and cially if multiple valves will be located within a
which operate at maximum pressures to 1,000 improve reliability. single enclosure.

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