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angolWhat Is a 2/2 Way Solenoid Valve
A 2/2 Ways Solenoid Valve is an electromagnetically operated valve with two ports and two positions, used to open or close the flow of a fluid or gas inside a pipeline. The first number in 2/2 refers to the two ports, an inlet and an outlet, and the second number refers to the two working positions, open and closed, which is why this valve is also called a fluid control valve or a process control valve.
When the coil is energized, a magnetic field pulls a plunger or armature away from the valve seat, which either opens or closes the orifice depending on whether the valve is built as normally closed or normally open. This basic two port, two position design makes the 2/2 way solenoid valve one of the most common building blocks in automated fluid control systems, from simple on and off shutoff duty to fast cycling process lines.
The rest of this guide covers how the valve works internally, the difference between normally closed and normally open designs, common body materials, pressure and temperature range, low pressure and zero pressure use cases, and points worth checking when comparing a 2 way solenoid valve manufacturer.
How a 2/2 Solenoid Valve Works
Inside a 2/2 way solenoid valve, a coil is wound around a tube that houses a movable plunger, often called an armature. A spring holds the plunger against the orifice in its default, de-energized state. Once electrical current passes through the coil, it generates a magnetic field strong enough to overcome the spring force and pull the plunger away from the seat.
In a direct acting design, the plunger itself covers or uncovers the orifice, so the valve can open and close even with no pressure difference across the ports, which is the reason direct acting valves are often chosen for low pressure solenoid valve and zero pressure solenoid valve duty. In a pilot or servo operated design, the coil only moves a small pilot orifice, and the main flow is controlled by a diaphragm that responds to the pressure of the line itself, which allows a smaller coil to control a larger flow but usually needs a minimum pressure differential to function correctly.
Relative minimum pressure differential needed to open each valve design, illustrative comparison
Normally Closed vs Normally Open 2/2 Valves
Every 2/2 way solenoid valve is built as either normally closed or normally open, and the choice affects both wiring and fail safe behavior in the system.
Normally Closed (NC) Valves
A normally closed valve keeps the flow path shut when the coil is de-energized, and it opens once power is applied. This is the more common configuration because it means the line stays shut off automatically if power is lost, which suits most shutoff and safety related duty.
Normally Open (NO) Valves
A normally open valve keeps the flow path open when the coil is de-energized, and it closes once power is applied. This configuration is chosen when a process needs the flow to keep moving during a power interruption, such as certain cooling or venting circuits.
| State | Coil De-Energized | Coil Energized |
|---|---|---|
| Normally Closed | Flow shut off | Flow open |
| Normally Open | Flow open | Flow shut off |
Valve Structure and Key Components
Even a simple 2/2 solenoid valve relies on several parts working together to open and close reliably over thousands of cycles.
Structural diagram of a typical direct acting 2/2 way solenoid valve
Coil and Plunger Assembly
The coil generates the magnetic field, while the plunger, often finished with a soft sealing tip, moves to open or close the orifice. Coil insulation class affects how the valve performs in continuous duty applications.
Valve Body Material
Body material is chosen based on the medium and the working environment. Brass, stainless steel, and cast iron are the three material families most commonly seen across 2/2 way solenoid valve product lines.
Choosing a Body Material for a 2/2 Solenoid Valve
Material selection has a direct effect on service life once a valve is installed in a working line.
- Brass bodies are a common general purpose choice for water, air, and many light industrial fluids at moderate temperature.
- Stainless steel bodies are chosen for corrosive media, food and beverage lines, and applications that need frequent washdown or sterilizing.
- Cast iron bodies are used in heavier industrial duty where mechanical strength matters more than corrosion resistance.
General pattern of material choice frequency across common industrial applications, illustrative only
Pressure and Temperature Range
Working range is one of the first specifications to confirm when selecting a 2/2 way solenoid valve, since a mismatch on pressure or temperature is a common cause of premature seal failure. Per SENYA's published product specification, current 2/2 solenoid valve lines can cover a temperature range of -20°C to 200°C (-4°F to 392°F) and a pressure range from micro vacuum up to 200 bar (4351 psi) , depending on the series and seal material selected.
General pressure range trend across common valve series, based on published specification data
Protection Ratings for Harsh Environments
Solenoid coils are commonly offered in different ingress protection classes so the valve can be matched to the working environment, from a dry indoor cabinet to an outdoor washdown area.
| Protection Class | General Suitability |
|---|---|
| IP43 | Indoor cabinets with light dust or splash exposure |
| IP65 | Outdoor or washdown areas with direct water jets |
| IP68 | Submerged or heavy contamination environments |
Low Pressure and Zero Pressure 2/2 Solenoid Valves
Not every process line runs at high pressure, and some circuits operate close to atmospheric pressure or under partial vacuum. A low pressure solenoid valve, and specifically a direct acting 2 way solenoid valve for low pressure duty, is built so the plunger itself provides the full closing and opening force rather than relying on line pressure to help move a diaphragm.
This is why a direct acting 2/2 solenoid valve is generally the correct choice when a circuit needs to function as a zero pressure solenoid valve, such as vacuum assist lines, gravity fed tanks, or the start and end of a fill cycle when pressure has not yet built up in the line. A pilot operated valve, by contrast, may fail to open reliably once the differential pressure across its ports drops below its minimum rated value.
2/2 Way vs 3/2 Way Solenoid Valve Comparison
A 2/2 way solenoid valve only opens and closes a single flow path, while a 3 way valve adds a third port so it can also divert or mix flow between two paths. Choosing between them depends on whether the circuit only needs a shutoff function or also needs to redirect flow.
General functional comparison based on typical design characteristics, illustrative only
Common Applications of 2/2 Solenoid Valves
Because the 2/2 way solenoid valve is a straightforward shutoff device, it appears across a wide range of automated fluid and gas systems.
| Application Area | Typical Valve Role |
|---|---|
| Car washing systems | On/off control of water and detergent lines |
| Medical sterilizing equipment | Steam and fluid shutoff in cycle stages |
| Automated production lines | Timed air or fluid shutoff between process steps |
| Dust removal systems | Pulse air shutoff for filter cleaning cycles |
| Agricultural irrigation | Zone shutoff for scheduled watering |
| Solar thermal projects | Fluid loop shutoff in collector circuits |
What to Check From a 2 Way Solenoid Valve Manufacturer
When comparing a 2 way solenoid valve manufacturer or a 2/2 solenoid valve manufacturer, a few practical points are worth confirming before placing an order.
- Confirm the working pressure and temperature range matches the actual line conditions, including whether the valve needs to function at low pressure or near zero pressure.
- Check body material options against the medium being controlled, especially for corrosive or food grade lines.
- Ask about coil protection class if the valve will be installed outdoors or in a washdown area.
- Review whether the manufacturer supports custom port sizes, voltages, or connector styles for OEM projects.
- Look at production scale and export experience, since a manufacturer supplying multiple countries typically has broader testing exposure across different operating conditions.
About SENYA Pneumatic Technology
Ningbo SENYA Pneumatic Technology Co., Ltd. has manufactured valves, cylinders, and other pneumatic components since 1994, and is a China based 2/2 Ways Solenoid Valve manufacturer with production covering brass, stainless steel, and cast iron body options.
SENYA supports a temperature range of -20°C to 200°C (-4°F to 392°F) and a pressure range from micro vacuum up to 200 bar (4351 psi), along with coil protection classes of IP43, IP65, and IP68 for different working environments. The facility produces more than 2,000,000 sets of pneumatic components such as cylinders and valves each year, and products are exported to more than 30 countries including the United States, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Britain, South Korea, Australia, and Mexico.
Applications supported across this customer base include car washing, medical sterilizing, automated production lines, mining, dust removal, music fountain systems, agricultural irrigation, solar projects, agricultural machinery, and food processing. SENYA also provides technical project support and after-sales assistance for OEM and ODM customers who bring specific application requirements or drawings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 2/2 way solenoid valveIt is an electromagnetically operated valve with two ports and two positions, used to open or close the flow of a fluid or gas in a pipeline. | What does 2/2 mean in a solenoid valveThe first 2 refers to the two ports, an inlet and an outlet, and the second 2 refers to the two working positions, open and closed. |
How does a 2/2 solenoid valve workEnergizing the coil creates a magnetic field that moves a plunger away from the orifice, opening or closing the flow path depending on the valve type. | What is the difference between a 2-way and 3-way solenoid valveA 2-way valve only opens and closes a single flow path, while a 3-way valve has a third port that allows it to divert or mix flow between two paths. |
What are 2/2 solenoid valves used forThey are used for on and off shutoff control of water, air, steam, or other process fluids across automated production, irrigation, and cleaning systems. | What is a normally closed solenoid valveA normally closed valve stays shut when the coil is de-energized and opens once power is applied to the coil. |
What is a normally open solenoid valveA normally open valve stays open when the coil is de-energized and closes once power is applied to the coil. | What is the difference between NC and NO solenoid valvesThe difference is their default state without power: NC valves default to shut, while NO valves default to open, which changes how each behaves during a power loss. |
Should I use a normally open or normally closed solenoid valveMost shutoff and safety related lines use normally closed valves so the flow stops automatically if power is lost, while normally open valves suit circuits that need flow to continue during a power interruption. | Can a 2/2 solenoid valve work at zero or low pressureA direct acting 2/2 solenoid valve can generally open and close at zero or low pressure, since the plunger itself provides the operating force rather than relying on line pressure. |
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