Solenoid valve operating method: Have you selected the correct solenoid valve for your fluid?
Differences between direct-acting, pilot-operated, and pilot-kick solenoid valves

There are three types of solenoid valves for fluids: direct acting, pilot operated and pilot kick.

Here are some of the main differences between them!

[Differences in operation]

	Direct acting	Pilot operated	Pilot kick
Principle of operation	The valve is opened and closed only by the attractive force of an electromagnet (solenoid).	The pilot valve is actuated by an electromagnet (solenoid) and operated by the pressure difference of the fluid.A minimum operating pressure differential is required for actuation.	It is operated by the attractive force of the electromagnet (solenoid) and the kick spring, and actuated by the attractive force and fluid pressure.Operation is performed with no load by using a kick spring.
Differential pressure	Operates with no load	Required	Operates with no load
Mounting orientation	Unrestricted	Unrestricted (within working pressure differential range)	(1) Vertical to horizontal position with the coil on top (2) Vertical position with the coil on top (3) Unrestricted
Port size	Mainly small bore size	Medium and large bore sizes	Medium and large bore sizes
Typical models	AB Series, etc.	AP/AD Series, etc.	(1) APK11 Series (2) APK21/ADK21 Series (3) ADK11/ADK12 Series

When selecting a product, the differential pressure, mounting posture, and connection bore size are especially important points to consider.

Now let's see how the operation differs in the image video.

CKD