Web Analytics
×

SHOPPING FROM

Espresso machine solenoid valves

Published : 15.05.2019 14:58:48
Categories : General

Espresso machine solenoid valves

Espresso machine solenoid valves

Since the invention of the coffee maker machine, all valves of a coffee espresso machine were operated manually. From the first vertical coffee machines to the lever espresso machines and up to the pump driven Faema e61. However, the introduction of the electronically controlled espresso machines has created the need to electronically control the valves as well.

How does a solenoid valve work?

There are two types of solenoid valves, one normally open (NO) and one normally closed (NC). With an NO, there is a constant flow (since it is open). When the electromagnet in the coil is activated, this coil closes, as long as the current is flowing. If the solenoid valve is an NC, there is no flow through the valve. When the solenoid valve is activated, the valve will open, as long as the current is flowing.

What is the use of a solenoid valve in an espresso machine?

Most solenoid valves are used for the following purposes:

Filling the boiler:

A lot of boilers have a stainless-steel water level probe. This probe is quite often mounted on top of the boiler and sticks into the water in the boiler. When the level regulator or the PCB detects that the water level is too low, the 2-way solenoid valve will open. Then the boiler fills up under water-line pressure. As soon as the water level reaches the probe again, the solenoid valve will close. This solenoid valve is quite often located on a filling valve. For some brands, these filling valves also have manual control if the solenoid valve is damaged.

Brewing group solenoid valve:

When the touchpad is pressed, the brewing process begins. The 3-way solenoid valve, which is located near or above the brewing group, opens. After completion of the brewing process, the solenoid valve closes again and the remaining water flows out of the outlet of the 3-way solenoid valve.

2 way solenoid valve flanged

Water dispensing solenoid valve

This 2-way solenoid valve is mainly used for getting tea water. When a button or touch panel is pressed, the solenoid valve will open. If you press the button again, the valve will close.

Basic principles of an espresso machine solenoid valve

A solenoid valve consists of 6 components:

  • The electromagnet
  • The plunger
  • The plunger spring
  • The plunger gasket
  • The main gasket
  • The tube assembly
  • The valve body

The valve body

The solenoid valve bodies are available in two material versions:

  • NSF-graded brass
  • stainless steel

There are also two types of valve body models:

  • The flange model. This valve is placed on a smooth surface (for instance a brewing group) and is attached to the surface with 4 screws. The flat surface is sealed off with 2 FKM rings.
  • The thread model. This model has a thread on both sides. The most commonly used sizes for espresso machines are ¼” BSP-G and 1/8” BSP-G. The body can be fixed by screws to a body piece (the thread is inside the valve body). The solenoid valves need to be equipped with fittings to connect tubes to the valve. These fittings can be sealed off with copper gaskets.  


Solenoid valve body flanged
Solenoid valve body threaded

The solenoid valve bodies all have a flow direction indicator. The flange model typically has a 1 and a 2 at the bottom of the valve body adjacent to the inlet and outlet. For the thread model, there is often an arrow on the side or bottom of the body indicating the flow direction.

The tube assembly

The tube assembly is a stainless-steel cylinder that serves as a guide for the piston and spring inside.  In case of a 2-way valve, this tube is capped at the end. For a 3-way valve, this end is normally open to drain the wastewater.

3 way solenoid valve tube assembly

2 way solenoid valve tube assembly

The main gasket

This is a circular sealing ring on the tube assembly. When the tube assembly is screwed into the valve body this seal ring compresses and seals the solenoid valve.

The plunger gasket

The plunger gasket is located in the bottom of the plunger. This gasket is a part that cannot be serviced. The gasket is compressed to a valve seat of the valve body to seal it.

2 way solenoid valve plunger

2 way solenoid valve plunger top

The plunger spring

The plunger spring makes the difference between an NC and an NO solenoid valve. With an NC this spring pushes the plunger onto the valve seat, which allows no flow. When the solenoid valve is activated, the magnetic field raises the plunger and opens the valve. When the coil is deactivated the solenoid valve closes again.

With an NO solenoid valve, the opposite is the case. This valve is always open, ensuring a constant flow. When the coil is activated, the plunger falls down and seals the valve. However, this type of solenoid valve is not common in espresso machines.

The plunger

The plunger is made of ferritic stainless steel (this is a magnetic stainless-steel variant, opposed to commonly used “traditional” stainless steel, which is not magnetic). This plunger has a gasket in the bottom to seal the valve seat. On top of the plunger, there is a neck in which the spring is located.

3 way solenoid valve plunger
3 way solenoid valve plunger top

The electromagnet

The electromagnetic coil goes over the tube assembly. When there is an electromagnetic current flow through the copper winding in the coil, the coil moves. So, it will open or close the plunger.

 Solenoid valve electronic coil

The list above contains the basics of what a solenoid is and how it works. However, there are many more specifications for solenoid valves, because not every one of them is equally suitable in every location.

There are 6 manufacturers of solenoid valves that are widely used in espresso machines:

These brands make a variety of espresso machine solenoid valves. If you are looking to replace your own solenoid valve on your machine, you need to check for the following things:

  • Brand – yes, a lot of solenoid valves are exchangeable. You must, however, look at the flange type and the screw fastenings. Because these can vary.
  • Fitting size – if you are using a solenoid valve which has a fitting, look closely if you have the right thread size.
  • Orifice – the hole diameter may vary depending on the model. If you use a smaller diameter orifice, the machine may not work as before.
  • Working pressure – not all solenoid valves can work in the same pressure range. To fill the boiler, normally only the water pressure of the main pipe has to be taken into account, which may vary depending on the region or country. However, if you are using a solenoid valve for a brewing group, they can endure working pressures that are much higher.
  • Working temperature.
  • Adjustability – there are some models of espresso machines that use an adjustable solenoid valve.
  • Voltage, current and Hz – most solenoid valves operate with 220-240V at 50-60Hz AC. But there are also versions which operate at 24V DC or 110V AC at 50Hz (of course for the US market). You will find this data on the side of the coil of the solenoid valve.

 

Share this content

This website uses its own and third-party cookies to improve our services and show you advertising related to your preferences by analyzing your browsing habits. To give your consent to its use, press the Accept button.

Cookie preferences

Functional cookies
No
Yes
Functional cookies are strictly necessary to provide the services of the shop, as well as for its proper functioning, so it is not possible to refuse their use. They allow the user to browse through our website and use the different options or services that exist on it.
Cookie Provider Purpose Expiry
PHP_SESSIDbrooks-espressomachines.comThe PHPSESSID cookie is native to PHP and allows websites to store serialised status data. On the website it is used to establish a user session and to pass state data through a temporary cookie, which is commonly known as a session cookie. These Cookies will only remain on your computer until you close your browser.Session
PrestaShop-#brooks-espressomachines.comThis is a cookie used by Prestashop to store information and keep the user's session open. It stores information such as currency, language, customer ID, among other data necessary for the proper functioning of the shop.480 hours
Advertising Cookies
No
Yes
These are cookies that collect information about the advertisements shown to users of the website. They can be anonymous, if they only collect information about the advertising spaces shown without identifying the user, or personalised, if they collect personal information about the user of the shop by a third party, for the personalisation of these advertising spaces.
Analytics cookies
No
Yes
Collect information about the user's browsing experience in the shop, usually anonymously, although sometimes they also allow the user to be uniquely and unequivocally identified in order to obtain reports on the user's interests in the products or services offered by the shop.
Performance cookies
No
Yes
These are used to improve the browsing experience and optimize the operation of the shop.
Other cookies
No
Yes
These are cookies without a clear purpose or those that we are still in the process of classifying.

Sign up for newsletter

Get exclusive deals you wont find anywhere else straight to your inbox!