Solenoid valves are kinda like offensive linemen on a football team – sometimes underappreciated, and not noticed until something bad happens. A solenoid valve is a valve that is controlled by an electric current through a solenoid … I know, you’re saying, “No kidding.”
The solenoid was invented in the early 1800’s by a French guy named Ampere. The solenoid is simply a wire wrapped around a metal rod. When an electric current is passed through the coiled wire, a magnet is created – an electromagnet. In the simplest solenoid, the magnetized rod (armature) moves up and down opening or closing the flow of fluid.
The diagram and the picture below depict simple solenoid valves – not necessarily what is on your bucket truck.
Like offensive linemen, solenoids are reliable and long-lasting. Their compact design makes them ideal for controlling the flow of air and hydraulic fluid on machines like bucket trucks and digger derricks.
One use of solenoid valves on bucket trucks is to start or stop the flow of hydraulic fluid at the control valve. Electricity to the solenoid is turned on/off using an electrical toggle switch. For a bank of valves that performs many functions (i.e. boom up, boom down, boom left, boom right, etc), a separate toggle switch/solenoid valve may be used for each function.
There you have it – short and sweet. Utility Equipment Parts offers parts and accessories like solenoid valves for just about every make of bucket truck and digger derrick.
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