Solenoids: push, pull and stop solenoids

Linear solenoids for control and shut-off tasks. Pushing or pulling, intermittent or continuous duty, with voltage and force matched to the application.

How a linear solenoid works

Section through a linear solenoid with coil, armature, shaft and return spring

Drag to rotate. Zoom with two fingers or Ctrl + mouse wheel. Example design. We supply to your drawing or specification.

When current flows through the coil, the armature is drawn into the coil and takes the shaft with it. When the current is switched off, a spring returns the armature. No other moving parts are needed. This makes the design robust and low in maintenance.

Technical data

DesignsPush and pull solenoids
WindingSingle winding for intermittent operation, double winding for continuous duty
Duty cycleIntermittent or continuous duty with 100 % duty cycle
Force curveRising or almost constant, depending on the design
MountingStandard version, rear shaft or front flange
AdaptableCoil voltage and power, shaft form, springs, mounting
Common voltages12 V and 24 V DC or 230 V
ApplicationsStopping engines, locking, holding, replacing small pneumatic and hydraulic actuators
Fields of useStandby generators, combined heat and power plants, construction machinery, process equipment and mechanical engineering
QuantitiesFrom single units to series
Delivery timeDepends on the design, stated in our quotation
Other designsOn request: other sizes, materials and makes, special designs to drawing

Stop solenoids for diesel and gas engines

This is the most common application in our range. The solenoid acts on the governor lever or the injection pump and stops the engine. Two circuits are common. With the energise-to-stop type the solenoid is energised to stop the engine. With the energise-to-run type it keeps the engine running and releases it if the power fails. Which version is right depends on what should happen if the control voltage fails.

We have supplied them for more than twenty years to standby generators, combined heat and power plants, construction machinery and workshops in Switzerland.

What determines the choice

Force over the stroke. With a standard solenoid the force is lowest at the start of the stroke because the air gap is largest there. Towards the end of the stroke it rises steeply. Designs with an adapted pole core keep the force almost constant over the stroke. We state the force curve of your solenoid in our quotation.

Duty cycle. A solenoid for intermittent duty must not be energised continuously, otherwise the coil overheats. For continuous duty there are versions with two windings. The pull-in winding briefly delivers the high force, then the holding winding takes over at low power.

Voltage at the solenoid. What matters is the voltage that reaches the solenoid, not the nominal voltage of the plant. A long cable run or a weak battery reduces the force.

Frequently asked questions

What is a stop solenoid?

A linear solenoid that acts on the governor lever or the injection pump and stops a diesel or gas engine.

Energise-to-stop or energise-to-run: what is the difference?

With the energise-to-stop type the solenoid is energised to stop the engine. With the energise-to-run type it keeps the engine running and releases it if the power fails. The choice depends on what should happen if the control voltage fails.

Can a linear solenoid be energised continuously?

Only in the version for continuous duty with 100 % duty cycle. Otherwise a solenoid for intermittent duty overheats. For continuous duty there are solenoids with double windings.

Which voltages are common?

12 V and 24 V DC or 230 V are common.

Is there a replacement for discontinued solenoids?

As a rule, yes. To start with, a photo of the old solenoid or its nameplate is often enough.

Do you deliver throughout Switzerland and abroad?

Yes. Eurolog delivers solenoids to the installation site throughout Switzerland and abroad, for example to Germany, Italy or France. We arrange transport, customs clearance on import into Switzerland and export documents.

Do you also supply solenoids that are not listed here?

Yes. The details on this page are examples. We also source other sizes, materials and makes, replacements for older plants and special designs to drawing. For a first enquiry a photo, the nameplate or a sketch is enough.

What we need for a quotation

Voltage, stroke in millimetres, required force, duty cycle and the available installation space. For a replacement a photo of the old solenoid or its nameplate is often enough. If your part is not on this page, ask us anyway.

For the same plants we supply expansion joints for the exhaust line. We usually find a suitable replacement for discontinued solenoids as well.

We supply customers in Switzerland and abroad. Every export enquiry is checked against Swiss export control and sanctions regulations.

Phone +41 41 761 60 80, e-mail info@eurolog.ch

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Looking for a solenoid or a replacement?

Send us the voltage, stroke, force and duty cycle. For a replacement a photo of the old solenoid is enough. We find the right version and get back to you with a quotation. We answer in English or German.