SPECIALISTS IN FLUID CONTROL

VALVE SELECTION INFORMATION

&
ENGINEERING GUIDE
SOLENOID VALVE APPLICATIONS
How To Select A Solenoid Valve
We offer a wide variety of General Purpose Solenoid Valves from which to choose. To select the valve that
best suits your application, determine the following:

Valve Type and Operating Mode specific gravity = 1) in GPM (gallons per minute) which
Available configurations include: will pass through the valve with a one psi (pound per
square inch) pressure drop across the valve in the
2-Way Normally Closed - Two pipe connections (inlet full open position. The appropriate Cv will determine
and outlet) and one orifice to provide On-Off control. which combination of pipe and orifice sizes will be re-
Valve is open when energized, closed when de-ener- quired for the application. Refer to the “VALVE SIZING”
gized. and “Cv Factor” sections for additional information.

2-Way Normally Open - Two pipe connections (inlet Operating Temperature

and outlet) and one orifice to provide On-Off control. Sealing materials, coil class, body materials, and duty
Valve is closed when energized, open when de-ener- cycle all influence the valve’s temperature capabilities.
gized. Operating temperature is determined by a
combination of media and ambient temperatures.
3-Way Normally Closed - Three pipe connections (one
always open to one of the other two) and two orifices Flow Media
(one always open and one always closed) to regulate Flow media is the substance being controlled by the
the direction of media flow. When energized, the valve. The media’s temperature, pressure, and
flow is from the inlet port through the cylinder port; concentration will determine the type of body and
When de-energized, the flow is from the cylinder port sealing materials required for the application.
through the exhaust port.
Power Requirements
3-Way Normally Open - Three pipe connections (one
Voltage and Cycles (Hertz) will usually be determined
always open to one of the other two) and two orifices
by the system’s existing power specifications. VA is a
(one always open and one always closed) to regulate
measure of the solenoid’s power consumption. The
the direction of media flow. When de-energized, the
“inrush” VA rating is the maximum initial surge of
flow is from the inlet port through the cylinder port.
current required to energize the coil, while “holding”
When energized, the flow is from the cylinder port
VA is a lesser current required to hold the valve in its
through the exhaust port.
energized position. In either case, the solenoid’s
amperage is determined by dividing the VA rating by
3-Way Universal, Diverting & Selecting - Three pipe
the applied voltage. Inrush and holding currents are
connections (one always open to one of the other two)
identical for DC solenoids, and the rating is given in
and two orifices (one always open and one always
watts (watts DC = volts x amperes).
closed) to regulate the direction of media flow. Valves
can be installed to provide either normally closed
(open when energized, closed when de-energized) or Minimum Operating Pressure Differential
normally open (closed when energized, open when The minimum system pressure differential required to
de-energized) operation. The valve can also be con- operate the valve and maintain it in the open position.
nected to select one of two flow media or to divert MinOPD applies pilot-operated solenoid valves where
media flow from one port to another. system pressure is used assist operation when the
solenoid is energized. Direct acting or zero differential
valves do not require a minimum operating pressure.
Pipe Connections
Pipe connections (ports) are openings that conduct the
flow of the controlled media in and out of the valve. Maximum Operating Pressure Differential
Factors influencing the selection of pipe sizes are the The maximum operating pressure differential is the
system’s existing or designed pipe connection sizes maximum difference in pressure (measured in psi
and the flow requirements (Cv) of the application. or bar) between the inlet and the outlet valve ports.
Factors influencing the maximum operating pressure
rating include the pipe connection sizes, orifice size(s),
Cv Factor
Cv is the amount of water at standard conditions (60°F,
and design of construction.
1
GC SOLENOID VALVES
Series Media Connection Function Orifice Range Pressure Range Max Fluid Temp Cv Range Approvals Valve Body Seal Materials

3/8”-1 1/2” NC, NO 5/8”-1 1/4” 0-200 PSI 295 ° F 4.3-23 Nitrile, FKM,
NPT GFLT, EPDM
S20

Nitrile, FKM,
3/8”-2” NC, NO 5/8”-1 1/2” 4-250 PSI 366 ° F 4.3-29 GFLT, EPDM
NPT
S21

1”-2” NC, NO 1”-1 1/4” 0-125 PSI 295 ° F 13-27 Nitrile, FKM,
NPT GFLT, EPDM
S27

Nitrile, FKM,
10/32”-1/4” NC, NO 0.8mm-3.0mm 0-580 PSI 266 ° F 0.035 - 0.280 EPDM, PTFE,
SC91 NPT FFKM

Nitrile, FKM,
1/8”-1/4” NC, NO 0.8mm-3.0mm 0-580 PSI 122 ° F 0.035 - 0.280 EPDM, PTFE,
NPT FFKM
SC31

Nitrile, FKM,
1/4”-3/8” NC, NO 0.8mm-6.0mm 0-2030 PSI 284 ° F 0.035 - 0.350 EPDM, PTFE,
NPT FFKM
SC41

Nitrile, FKM,
1/8”-3/8” NC, NO, 1/32”-3/8” 0-2400 PSI 366 ° F .03-1.3 GFLT, EPDM,
NPT 3-way PTFE, FFKM,
Rulon
S30

Nitrile, FKM,
1/8”-3/8” NC, NO, 1/32”-3/8” 0-2000 PSI 366 ° F .03-1.3 GFLT, EPDM,
NPT 3-way PTFE, FFKM,
S31 Rulon

1/8”-1/4” 3-way 1/16”-11/64” 0-200 PSI 295 ° F .09-.38 Nitrile, FKM,

NPT EPDM
S33

1/4”-1 1/4” NC, NO 3/8”-1 1/8” 0 -300 PSI 366 ° F 1.1-18.8 Nitrile, FKM,
NPT EPDM, PTFE
S40

MEDIA FUNCTION VALVE BODY

Water Slightly Aggressive media NC – 2-way Normally Closed Brass Nylon

Air & neutral gases Aggressive media NO – 2-way Normally Open
Light Oil Steam 3-way – Normally Closed, Normally Stainless Steel PVC
Open, Diverting, Universal,
Stainless Steel Lead-Free Brass
or Free Exhaust

2
GC SOLENOID VALVES
Series Media Connection Function Orifice Range Pressure Range Max Fluid Temp Cv Range Approvals Valve Body Seal Materials

3/8”-2” NC, NO 3/8”-2” 7-225 PSI 295 ° F 4.5-48 Nitrile, FKM,

NPT EPDM
S71

1/4”-1/2” NC, NO 3/8” 0-290 PSI 230 ° F 1.6 Nitrile, FKM

NPT
S80

3/8”-2” NC, NO 12mm-55mm 5-150 PSI 122 ° F 2.4 - 41 Nitrile, FKM,

NPT EPDM
SP31

1/2”-1” NC, NO 4.0mm-25mm 8-200 PSI 266 ° F 4.5 - 12 Nitrile, FKM,

NPT EPDM
SP91

1/4”-1/2” NC, NO 3/8” 0-2200 PSI 230 ° F 1 - 1.5

NPT FKM, PTFE

H40

1/2”-1”
NPT NC 15mm-25mm 0-1200 PSI 230 ° F 4.2-7 FKM, PTFE

H90

3/8”-1 1/2” NC, NO 5/8”-1 1/4” 0-100 PSI 295 ° F 4.3-18 EPDM,
NPT Santoprene
NS20

3/8”- 2” NC, NO 5/8”-1 1/4” 4-200 PSI 295 ° F 4.3-13 EPDM,

NPT Santoprene
NS21

1/8”-3/8” NC, NO 1/32”-9/32” 0-150 PSI 295 ° F .03-1

NPT EPDM
NS30

1/8”-3/8” NC, NO 1/32”-9/32” 0-150 PSI 366 ° F .03-.65 EPDM

NS31 NPT

3/8”- 2” NC, NO 3/8”-2” 7-225 PSI 295 ° F 4.5-48 EPDM

NPT
NS71

MEDIA FUNCTION VALVE BODY

Water Slightly Aggressive media NC – 2-way Normally Closed Nylon
Brass
Air & neutral gases Aggressive media NO – 2-way Normally Open
Light Oil Steam 3-way – Normally Closed, Normally Stainless Steel PVC
Open, Diverting, Universal,
or Free Exhaust Stainless Steel Lead-Free Brass

3
ENCLOSURE TYPES

The following information is transcribed from the NEMA 7 & 9 Refers to Indoor Hazardous
requirements of NEMA and the American Institute Locations - Air-break Equipment
of Electrical Engineers covering various classifications
Class I Refers to locations in which flammable gases
of the Underwriters’ Laboratories. These requirements
or vapors are or may be present in the air in quantities
are listed for reference purposes only. They are taken
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
from the requirements of the approval associations
Group C - Acetaldehyde, Cyclopropane, Diethyl Ether,
or engineering groups. They are not necessarily an
Ethylene, Isoprene, & Unsymmetrical Dimethyl
indication of what should be sold in the way of con-
Group D - A wide range of gases and vapors including
trol apparatus. GC Valves does not supply all types of
gasoline, propane, natural gas, methanol, acetone,
enclosures on all valves designs. (Contact GC Valves
butane, benzene, octanes, toluene, and xylenes
Customer Service for specific combinations.)
Class II Refers to locations which are hazardous be-
NEMA Enclosure Types cause of the presence of combustible dust.
In non-hazardous locations, the specific enclosure
Group E - Atmospheres containing combustible metal
types, their applications, and the environmental
dust
conditions they are designed to protect against, when
Group F - Atmospheres containing carbon black, coal
completely and properly installed, are as follows:
or coke dust
Group G - Atmospheres containing flour, starch, or
Type 1 - Enclosures constructed for indoor use to
grain dust
provide a degree of protection to personnel against
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment and to
Class I and Class II also have the following designations:
provide a degree of protection against falling dirt.
Division 1 refers to hazardous gases or dust that exist
continuously
Type 4 - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or
Division 2 refers to hazardous gases or dust that do
outdoor use to provide a degree of protection against
not normally exist but may exist due to equipment
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to
failure etc.
provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain,
Our explosion proof housings are not approved for:
sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water, and
“Group A” Acetylene
hose-directed water; and that will be undamaged by
“Group B” Butadiene, Ethylene Oxide, Hydrogen, Gases
the external formation of ice on the enclosure.
containing more than 30% Hydrogen, and Propylene
Type 4X - Enclosures constructed for either indoor or
Oxide.
outdoor use to provide a degree of protection against
incidental contact with the enclosed equipment; to
provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, rain,
sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water,
hose-directed water, and corrosion; and that will be
undamaged by the external formation of ice on the
enclosure. 4
VALVE OPTIONS
Housing Codes
Conduit – Coil Family S3 & S4
G a w

NEMA 4/4X; Fully encapsulated, 24 NEMA 1; Metallic housing, 24 inch NEMA 1; Rain-Tight Metallic housing,
inch lead wires, 1/2” conduit hub lead wires, 1/2” conduit hub 24 inch lead wires, 1/2” conduit hub

DIN – Coil Family S3 & S4 Grommet - Coil Family S3 & S4

y DIN OPTIONS b

ISO; Fully encapsulated, spade terminal, ISO; Molded connectors, cables, timers Metallic housing, 24 inch lead wires
European configuration, NEMA 4 etc. designed for DIN coil/housing

Junction Box – Coil Family S3 & S4 NEMA 7 - Coil Family S3 & S4

s u x

Standard – with 1/2” conduit knockout, Compact with two 1/2” conduit Explosion Proof; 24 inch lead wires,
lead wires knockouts, lead wires 1/2” conduit hub Class I & II Groups
C, D, E, F & G, Division 1 & 2

Conduit - Coil Family S5

a G y

NEMA 1; Metallic housing, 24 inch NEMA 1; Plastic housing, 24 inch Fully encapsulated form A, NEMA 4 with

5
lead wires, 1/2” conduit hub lead wires, 1/2” conduit hub connector
Seal Material & Shading Ring Codes
Code Seal Shading Ring Code Seal Shading Ring Code Seal Shading Ring
C EPR Copper L Viton Silver T (S21) Teflon/EPR Copper
E EPR Silver N Nitrile Copper T (H40) Teflon/Viton Copper
J Nitrile Silver R Rulon Silver V Viton Copper
K Teflon Silver S Teflon Copper
K (S21) Viton Copper T Teflon Copper

Voltage Codes
Code Voltage Code Voltage Code Voltage
01 24 VAC/60Hz 14 6 VDC 24 24 VAC/50-60Hz
02 120 VAC/60Hz 110 VAC/50Hz 15 12 VDC 33 48 VDC
03 208 VAC/60Hz 16 24 VDC 54 240 VAC/50Hz
04 240 VAC/60Hz 220 VAC/50Hz 17 32 VDC 55 380 VAC/50Hz
07 480 VAC/60Hz 440 VAC/50Hz 18 120 VDC 74 74 VDC

* For Additional Variations Contact GC Valves Customer Service.

Valve Sizing & Cv Flow Factor

Valve Sizing Procedures

The successful operation of a controlled system depends on proper sizing

of the valve.

The Cv rating of any valve is the flow rate of water at standard conditions
(60°F, specific gravity = 1) in GPM (gallons per minute), which will pass
through the valve with a one psi (pound per square inch) pressure drop
across the valve when in the fully open position. This rating is determined
by the manufacturer’s tests and is published in catalogs and specification
sheets.

A valve so restricted or ported which passes 1 GPM of liquid with a

specific gravity of 1 and an accompanying pressure drop of 1 psi is
assigned a rating of Cv = 1. By comparison, a valve having a Cv = 2 would
have twice the flow capacity with the same pressure drop.

Please contact GC Valves Customer Service for assistance in determining

the required flow factor for your application.

6
VALVE NOMENCLATURE
VALVE OPERATING COIL HOUSING COIL COIL VOLTAGE SEAT I SHADING BODY PIPE SIZE 2-WAY SUFFIX
SERIES MODE CLASS RING MATERIAL ORIFICE*

VALVE
S20 1OPERATING
- 2W NC A - Metal COIL
Conduit COIL
F COIL
01 - 24V/60HZ SEAT
A - FFKM |
| Silver BODY
1 - 316 SS PIPE
A - 1/8” 2-WAY
C1 - 1/32” SUFFIX
A - Angle Body
SERIES
S21 MODE
2 - 2W NO HOUSING
B - Grommet CLASS
H 02 VOLTAGE
- 110VAC/50HZ C SHADING RING
- EPDM | Copper MATERIAL
2 - 303 SS SIZE
B - 1/4” ORIFICE*
C3 - 3/64” B - SS Split Washer
S20
S27 13-- 2W NC
3W NC A --DIN
F Metal Conduit
w/ C-4010 F 01 - 24V/60HZ
120VAC/60HZ A E- FFKM
- EPDM| |Silver
Silver 1 - 316 303 SS A - 1/8"
3 -SS C - 3/8” C1 - C5 - 1/16”A - Angle
1/32" C - CEBody
Declaration
S21
S30 24-- 2W NO
3W NO B -- 1/2”
G Grommet
Conduit H 0203- 110/50HZ-
- 208V/60HZ C F- EPDM
- EPDM|+CopperSant | 2 - 303 Brass B - 1/4"
4 -SS D - 1/2” C3 - C7
3/64"
- 5/64”B - SSD Split Washer
- Mounting Bracket
S27
S31 35-- 3W NC
Selector F - DIN
NEMAw/4XC-4010 120/60HZ
04 - 240V/60HZ E - EPDM
Copper | Silver 3 - 303 SS
5 - Brass C - 3/8"
E - 3/4” C5 - 1/16"
C9 - 3/32” C - CE Declaration
E - CSA Certification
S30
S33 46-- 3W
3W NO G
P - OpenConduit
- 1/2" Frame with 03 - 208V/60HZ
220V/50HZ F -GEPDM - GFLT+| Sant
Silver| 4 - Brass D - 1/2"
6 - Aluminum F - 1” C7 - D3 5/64"- 7/64”D - Mounting
F - MeteringBracket
S31 5 - 3W NEMA 4X 0424
- 240V/60HZ Copper 5 - Brass E - 3/4" C9 - 3/32" E - CSA Certification
S40 Universal Leads - 24vVAC/50-60HZ J - Nitrile | Silver 7 - 316 SS G - 1-1/4” D5 - 1/8” G - Gold Plated Plunger
S33 Selector P - Open Frame 220V/50HZ G - GFLT | Silver 6 - Aluminum F - 1" D3 - 7/64" F - Metering
S71 7 - 3W FREE S - Long Junction BOX 14 - 6V DC K - FKM | Copper (S21) 8 - Brass H - 1-1/2” D7- 5/32” and Tube Head
S40 6 - 3W with Leads 24 - 24V/50-60HZ J - Nitrile | Silver 7 - 316 SS G - 1-1/4" D5 - 1/8" G - Gold Plated Plunger
H21 Exhaust U - Rain Tight Metal 15 - 12V DC K - PTFE | Silver 9 - Brass J - 2” E1 - 3/16” K - Mounting Bracket
S71 Universal S - Long Junction 14 - 6V DC K - FKM | Copper 8 - Brass H - 1-1/2" D7 - 5/32" and Tube Head
H40 Conduit 16 - 24V DC (S30, S31,S40) P - Nylon E7 - 1/4” L - Latching
S80 7 - 3W Free Box 15 - 12V DC (S21) 9 - Brass J - 2" E1 - 3/16" K - Mounting Bracket
M20 W - Rain Tight Metal 18 - 120V DC L - FKM | Silver F1 - 9/32” M - Manual Override
Exhaust U - Round Junction 16 - 24V DC K - PTFE | Silver P - Nylon E7 - 1/4" L - Latching
M21
H21 Conduit
Box 33 - 48V
18 - 120V DCDC N - Nitrile
(S30, | Copper
S31,S40) F1 - F5 -
9/32" 3/8” N - Cleaned
M - Manual for Oxygen
Override
NS20
H40 X
W- -Explosion Proof
Rain Tight 3345 - 12VDC
- 48V DC L -RFKM
- Rulon | Silver
| Silver G1 - 1/2” N - Cleaned
F5 - 3/8" Service
for
NS21 Metal7/9
NEMA Conduit 45 - 12V 14DC
Watt N S- -Nitrile
PTFE ||Copper
Copper G1 - G41/2"- 5/8” Oxygen
NP Service
- Gaseous CO2
M20
NS30 X -- DIN
Y Explosion Proof 4614 Watt
- 24V DC R T- Rulon
- PTFE | Copper
Silver G4 - G55/8"- 3/4” NP -PGaseous CO2
- Nickel Plating
M21
NS31 NEMA 7/9 46 - 24V14DC
Watt S -VPTFE
- FKM||Copper
Copper G5 - G73/4" P - Nickel
- 15/16” S - UL Plating
Safety Rated
NS71 Y - DIN 7414 Watt
- 74V DC T Z- PTFE
- PTFE|+Copper
FKM | Copper G7 - G915/16"
- 1” S - UL T -Safety Rated
TimeSaver Conn
NS20 74 - 74V DC V - FKM | Copper G9 - J11"- 1-1/8”T - TimeSaver Conn
W - Submersible
NS21 Z - PTFE + FKM | J1 - 1-1/8"
J2 - 1-1/4”W - Submersible
Z1 - 48” Coil Leads
NS30 Copper J2 - 1-1/4"
J5 - 1-1/2”
Z1 - Z2
48"- 36”
CoilCoil
Leads
Leads
NS31 J5 - 1-1/2" Z2 - 36" Coil Leads
10 - 10mm Z5 - Liquid CO2
NS71 10 - 10mm Z5 - Liquid CO2
K13 refer to catalog or price list Contact GC Valves to verify model numbers and * 3-way orifices
feature compatibility refer to catalog or price list

DECADES OF INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE

GC Valves heritage has its roots in the founding of General Controls back in the 1930’s. Through targeted
acquisitions and partnerships, what started out as one company and one product line over 80 years ago is now
a globally recognized and trusted brand covering dozens of markets and hundreds of applications. Despite our
growth, we never lost focus of what’s core to our business – our dedication to understanding our customers’
needs and providing an exceptional experience. These values are what make us the trusted provider for
solenoid valves and solutions to some of the most respected names in their respective industries. In its current
form as GC Valves, LLC, it’s the combination of two industry leading organizations, Components for Automation
(Simi Valley, CA) and GC Valves (Charlotte, NC) under the DEMA Engineering Company umbrella.

GC Valves designs and manufactures world class solenoid valves to meet the requirements of a wide variety of
markets and applications. Whether you’re in a car wash, food manufacturing plant or medical facility, you’ll
likely find a GC Valves solenoid valve in operation. Variations are available to handle virtually any liquid or gas
from vacuum to high flow / pressure; cryogenics to steam; natural gas to fuel oil; air and water to reagents and
enzymes; ultra-pure to corrosive. Our versatile range of products can include pipe sizes from 10-32 to 2 inch in
single valve, manifold, explosion proof and intrinsically safe designs. Our extensive design and development
experience has contributed to a product catalog of over 35,000 solenoid valve variations. If we don’t have what
you need readily available, our design and development team will work with you to create a product that meets
your requirements.
©2020 GC VALVES. LLC
GC VALVES 06/2022

456 Crompton Street [Link]

Charlotte, NC 28273

Tel: 800-828-0484 sales@[Link]