Solenoid Valves: Common Types Used and Industrial Applications

In modern fluid control systems, solenoid valves offer significant advantages, such as low energy consumption, fast response, and long service life. With the continuous improvement in control precision and system integration, solenoid valve design has become increasingly compact and modular. They are no longer limited to simply switching a single medium on or off, but can now precisely regulate the flow and ratio of mixed media.

In addition, an increasing number of solenoid valves are equipped with remote communication interfaces, allowing for automated operation and remote control without human intervention—meeting the demands of control systems for efficiency, reliability, and remote monitoring.

As a result, solenoid valves are no longer just simple on/off components, but have evolved into a wide variety of specialized types based on media type, control method, and system structure.
The following sections will provide a systematic overview of the main classifications of solenoid valves from the perspectives of medium type, structural principle, control method, and typical application scenarios.

What is a solenoid valve?

A solenoid valve is a device that uses an electromagnetic coil to drive the valve core, thereby enabling the opening, closing, or flow regulation of fluids or gases. It further controls the operation of downstream actuators. Solenoid valves are widely used in fields such as industrial automation, like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, medical equipment, and irrigation systems.