project:sprinklers

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project:sprinklers [2024-04-17 Wed wk16 13:10] – [Sprinkler Solenoid 24VAC Woes] baumkpproject:sprinklers [2024-04-30 Tue wk18 17:22] (current) – [Sprinkler Solenoid 24VAC Woes] baumkp
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 I would consider normal supply voltage tolerance to be minimum +/-10% this aligns with the IEC standard for electrical power distribution. So a 24VAC system should be able to absolutely reliably operate between 21.6 to 26.4 VAC.  As the solenoid operation voltage was typically between 25 - 26VAC this condition is meet.  The stand-by voltage was not a concern for the solenoid operation and the controller clear had no problems with this. Checking the controller circuit I would expect it would reliably operate with 24VAC ± 20% or 19.2 to 28.8 VAC.  The controller solid state outputs had 40V snubbers which could start snubbing the sinusoidal peak voltage over 28.2 VAC RMS. I would consider normal supply voltage tolerance to be minimum +/-10% this aligns with the IEC standard for electrical power distribution. So a 24VAC system should be able to absolutely reliably operate between 21.6 to 26.4 VAC.  As the solenoid operation voltage was typically between 25 - 26VAC this condition is meet.  The stand-by voltage was not a concern for the solenoid operation and the controller clear had no problems with this. Checking the controller circuit I would expect it would reliably operate with 24VAC ± 20% or 19.2 to 28.8 VAC.  The controller solid state outputs had 40V snubbers which could start snubbing the sinusoidal peak voltage over 28.2 VAC RMS.
  
-Next I measured the DC resistance of a new solenoid at 33.1 Ω.  Based upon the specification printed on the Solenoid 24 VAC, 50/60 Hz, Holding 0.25 Amp and inrush 0.43 Amp maximum I calculated the solenoid impedance to be 96.0 Ω.  This means the solenoid holding reactance calculates as 90.1 Ω.  The solenoid apparent power is 6.0 VA and real power 2.07 W.  With 25.2 VAC supply at the solenoid this becomes 0.264 A current, 6.68VA apparent power and 2.3 W real power.  Reactance has the following relationship with Inductance and frequency, X<fs xx-small>L</fs> = 2π F L, where X<fs xx-small>L</fs> is impedance (Ω), F is frequency in Hz, L is inductance in Henry.  So the with 60Hz the solenoid effective impedance increase from 90.1 Ω at 50 Hz to 108.2 Ω.  At 24VAC 60Hz the solenoid current then drops to 0.21 Amp (was 0.25 Amp at 50Hz) with apparent and real power dropping to 4.87 VA and 1.49W.  On my system with 25.2 VAC at the solenoid calculations show that adding a 12 Ω resistor into the solenoid circuit reduces the solenoid voltage to 23.9 VAC and current to 0.249 Amp.  The voltage drop across the resistor is 3.2V and power drop 0.79 W.  The resistor was rate at 1 W operation.+Next I measured the DC resistance of a new solenoid at 33.1 Ω.  Based upon the specification printed on the Solenoid 24 VAC, 50/60 Hz, Holding 0.25 Amp and inrush 0.43 Amp maximum I calculated the solenoid impedance to be 96.0 Ω.  This means the solenoid holding reactance calculates as 90.1 Ω.  The solenoid apparent power is 6.0 VA and real power 2.07 W.  With 25.2 VAC supply at the solenoid this becomes 0.264 A current, 6.68VA apparent power and 2.3 W real power.  Reactance has the following relationship with Inductance and frequency, X<fs xx-small>L</fs> = 2π F L, where X<fs xx-small>L</fs> is impedance (Ω), F is frequency in Hz, L is inductance in Henry.  So the with 60Hz the solenoid effective impedance increase from 90.1 Ω at 50 Hz to 108.2 Ω.  At 24VAC 60Hz the solenoid current then drops to 0.21 Amp (was 0.25 Amp at 50Hz) with apparent and real power dropping to 4.87 VA and 1.49W.  On my system with 25.2 VAC at the solenoid calculations show that adding a 12 Ω resistor into the solenoid circuit reduces the solenoid voltage to 23.9 VAC and current to 0.249 Amp.  The voltage drop across the resistor is 3.2V and power drop 0.79 W.  The resistor was rated for up to 1 W operation.
 A USA based brochure for the K-Rain Valve KR7101 gives the following specification for the valve: Voltage: 24VAC 60 cycles, 0.4 amps in rush, 0.2 amps holding. Pressure 20 psi minimum to 150 psi.  This aligns well with the calculation showing 0.21 Amp at 24 VAC 60 Hz. A USA based brochure for the K-Rain Valve KR7101 gives the following specification for the valve: Voltage: 24VAC 60 cycles, 0.4 amps in rush, 0.2 amps holding. Pressure 20 psi minimum to 150 psi.  This aligns well with the calculation showing 0.21 Amp at 24 VAC 60 Hz.
  
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 In summary: In summary:
   - Old decrepit failing underground solenoid wiring replace with new sheathed quality multi-core wire with node boxes fitted and operation well for 4 months. The LEDs in the control nodes make system diagnostics much easier.   - Old decrepit failing underground solenoid wiring replace with new sheathed quality multi-core wire with node boxes fitted and operation well for 4 months. The LEDs in the control nodes make system diagnostics much easier.
-  - New solenoid valve are dual rated for 50/60Hz and significantly relies upon the solenoid reactance. The reactance is directly proportional to the frequency that affects the operating solenoid current and power draw.  In 50Hz applications the current and power draw are higher and hence the solenoid has less tolerance to over rated voltage.  Hopefully the resistor will solve this problem.+  - New solenoid valves are dual rated for 50/60Hz and significantly relies upon the solenoid reactance. The reactance is directly proportional to the frequency that affects the operating solenoid current and power draw.  In 50Hz applications the current and power draw are higher and hence the solenoid has less tolerance to over rated voltage.  Hopefully the resistor will solve this problem.
   - I suspect the new solenoid valves are actually optimised for 60Hz operation not 50Hz and this has been the root cause of the new valve solenoid problems I have been having.   - I suspect the new solenoid valves are actually optimised for 60Hz operation not 50Hz and this has been the root cause of the new valve solenoid problems I have been having.
-  - A readily available 12 Ω, 1 W resistor at cost of less than $1.00 seems to be a simple solution to rectify the solenoid failure problem.+  - A readily available 12 Ω, 1 W resistor at cost of less than $1.00 is a simple solution to rectify the solenoid failure problem.
  
 Some additional comments: Some additional comments:
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   - Avoid the use of single sprinkler wiring in more complex larger sprinkler reticulation systems.  The use of quality multi core cabling provided a much more reliable system.   - Avoid the use of single sprinkler wiring in more complex larger sprinkler reticulation systems.  The use of quality multi core cabling provided a much more reliable system.
   - I do not like jar top style valves, just a personal preference though.   - I do not like jar top style valves, just a personal preference though.
-  - An inductor instead of a resistor may be a more effective solution to reduce the solenoid current and overall real power consumption, however resistors are cheaper and easier to get and also smaller.  The resistor power loss is < 1W, where as an inductor would probably reduce this by a factor in the order of 2 - 5.  Suitable 10mH inductors are available for purchase, e.g. [[https://au.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Murata-Power-Solutions/1410604C?qs=5CKLVr1iF0kSPSRQWGAVyQ%3D%3D|Mouser muRata Power Solutions 1410604C ]], which is rated at 10mH, 4.34 Ω & 0.4 Amps, ±10%.  However they are more expensive and larger than simple resistors.  They also need to be ordered in instead of being readily available from the local electronics store.+  - An inductor instead of a resistor may be a more effective solution to reduce the solenoid current and overall real power consumption, however resistors are cheaper and easier to get and also smaller.  The resistor power loss is < 1W, where as an inductor would probably reduce this by a factor in the order of 2 - 5.  Suitable 10 mH inductors are available for purchase, e.g. [[https://au.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Murata-Power-Solutions/1410604C?qs=5CKLVr1iF0kSPSRQWGAVyQ%3D%3D|Mouser muRata Power Solutions 1410604C ]], which is rated at 10 mH, 4.34 Ω & 0.4 Amps, ±10%.  However they are more expensive and larger than simple resistors.  They also need to be ordered in instead of being readily available from the local electronics store.
  
 +After 8 weeks of reliable operation with no further solenoid failure the use of a 12 Ω resistor to limit solenoid current and power draw has rectified the solenoid failure problem.  It appears the use of valve solenoids specified for dual 50/60 Hz use on 24 VAC are prone to failure with use on 50Hz supplies with voltage at solenoids greater than 24.0 VAC.
 ====References==== ====References====
   *[[https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/accircuits/power-triangle.html|Power Triangle and Power Factor]]   *[[https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/accircuits/power-triangle.html|Power Triangle and Power Factor]]
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