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Aug 22, 2023

Understanding Solenoid Valves

The solenoid assembly consists of a coil, plunger, and sleeve assembly. In a

The solenoid assembly consists of a coil, plunger, and sleeve assembly. In a normally closed valve, a plunger return spring holds the plunger against the orifice, preventing flow through the valve. When the coil is energized, a magnetic field is produced, raising the plunger and allowing flow through the valve. In a normally open valve, when the coil is energized, the plunger seals off the orifice, stopping flow through the valve.

Note: System diagrams are for illustrative purposes and are intended to show application of solenoid valves only.

In the series system, during normal operation, the discharge gas is condensed completely in the condenser. During the heating mode, the normally opened solenoid valve closes off the condenser and the normally closed solenoid opens to allow the discharge gas to flow into the heat reclaim coil. Complete condensation can occur in the heat reclaim coil if so designed, but manufacturers often prefer to take advantage of all the sensible heat available but only part of the latent heat, depending on the condenser for complete condensation.

In order for this system to work properly, check valves must be installed to allow flow around the expansion valves. A pressure reducing valve should be used in the liquid line to provide a pressure differential between the condensed refrigerant leaving the defrosting evaporator and the common liquid line.

The system shown is drawn with only two evaporators but it is recommended that only 25 percent of any multiplexed system be hot gas defrosted at any given time.

An alternative to the hot gas defrost system is the cool gas defrost, which uses the gas from the top of the receiver to defrost the evaporators. Because the cool gas defrost operates at a lower temperature, the thermal expansion of the refrigeration lines is reduced. This often eliminates the need for special piping techniques and leaks caused at line connections by excessive thermal flexing.

In order to prevent overheating of the compressor, a thermostatic expansion valve should be installed to provide cooling to the compressor suction gas. An alternative method consists of injecting hot gas into the evaporator inlet. This prevents overheating of the compressor and increases the velocity of the gas through the evaporator.

This type of unloading should not be attempted without thorough analysis of solenoid valve and expansion valve sizing.

As an alternative method, a normally closed solenoid valve may be located in the liquid line near the condensing unit and wired directly to the compressor motor terminal box. This solution improves system efficiency and maintains the refrigerant charge in the condenser coil during the off-cycle of the compressor which prevents refrigerant migration when long piping runs are used.

If the application requires a fail-safe or open mode, a normally open solenoid valve may be used. In this instance, the valve may also be located in the condensing unit and wired in series with the compressor crankcase heater.

Publication date: 07/28/2003