Introduction
Solenoid valves are an essential component in many industrial and manufacturing processes. They control the flow of liquids and gases by opening and closing a valve using an electromagnetic coil. In recent years, the use of microcontrollers such as Arduino has made it easier and more cost-effective to control solenoid valves.
In this article, we will explore the process of controlling a “Solenoid Valve” with an Arduino board, and how it can be implemented in various applications.
What is Solenoid Valve?
A solenoid valve is an electromechanical device that is used to control the flow of liquids or gases through a pipe or tube. It consists of a valve body, which contains an inlet and an outlet, and a solenoid, which is an electromagnet that can be used to control the valve. When an electric current is applied to the solenoid, it creates a magnetic field that moves a plunger or a piston inside the valve body, which opens or closes the valve.
Hardware Components
To interface Solenoid Value with Arduino, you’ll need the following hardware components to get started:
| Components | Value | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Arduino UNO | – | 1 |
| USB Cable Type A to B | – | 1 |
| DC Power for Arduino | – | 1 |
| Solenoid Valve | 12V | 1 |
| Transistor | TIP120 | 1 |
| Resistor | 220Ω | 1 |
| DC Power supply | – | 1 |
| Jumper Wires | – | 1 |
Solenoid Valve Pinout
| Pin Name | Pin Description |
|---|---|
| GND | Ground Pin |
| VCC | VCC Pin |
Solenoid Valve Circuit
Make connections according to the circuit diagram given below.
Installing Arduino IDE
First, you need to install Arduino IDE Software from its official website Arduino. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on “How to install Arduino IDE“.
Code
Now copy the following code and upload it to Arduino IDE Software.
void setup() {
// initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
// turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
delay(1000);
// wait for a second
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);
// turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
delay(1000);
// wait for a second
}
Code Explanation
This Arduino code is a simple program that blinks the Solenoid Valve on and off repeatedly. In the “void setup()” function, the LED_BUILTIN pin is initialized as an output pin for Solenoid Valve. In the “void loop()” function, the valve is turned on by setting the voltage level to “HIGH” using the “digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH)” command, and then the program waits for one second using the “delay(1000)” command. The valve is then turned off by setting the voltage level to “LOW” using the “digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW)” command and the program waits for another second before starting the loop again. This results in the Solenoid Valve being on and off continuously with a one-second delay between each blink.
Applications
Here are some common applications of solenoid valves:
- Control of water flow in irrigation systems
- Control of gas or fluid flow in industrial processes
- Control of refrigerant flow in air conditioning and refrigeration systems
- Control of fuel flow in automotive and marine engines
- Control of fluid flow in medical devices such as infusion pumps
- Control of compressed air flow in pneumatic systems
- Control of steam flow in boilers and other industrial processes
- Control of vacuum flow in scientific and laboratory equipment
- Control of liquid and gas flow in food and beverage processing
Conclusion
Using an Arduino board to control a solenoid valve offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for many industrial and manufacturing processes. With the ability to easily program and customize the control parameters, Arduino-based solenoid valve control is a great alternative to traditional control methods.
