The wonderful world of Solenoids

A solenoid is a device which converts energy into linear motion. This energy may come from a number of different things , for example: electromagnetic field, a pneumatic (air-powered) chamber or a hydraulic (fluid-filled) cylinder. Solenoids are commonly found in electric bell assemblies, automotive starter systems, industrial air hammers and many other devices which rely on a sudden burst of power to move a specific part.

a nice way to show this is comparing a sloinoid to a pinball machine. At the beginning of play, a steel ball rests on a rubber-tipped plunger. The plunger is held in place by a compression spring, which means it has no energy to move the ball when at rest. The player's hand provides additional energy as the plunger assembly is pulled back. Upon release the compression spring forces almost all of the plunger pin's kinetic energy on a small area of the steel ball. The ball is flung into the playing field and the pinball game begins. This manual plunger is a rudimentary example of a solenoid.


Solenoids are frequently used in locking mechanisms, obvious uses include door locking, in hotels, offices and secure areas. Here a solenoid can be small enough to fit within a conventional door lock mechanism. In the locked position no power is consumed. Consequently many solenoids are designed to operate from battery power. Low cost, compact size, reliability, and long life are all reasons for the growing demand for solenoids in a wide variety of locking applications from vault doors, cash registers, disk drives and missile systems.

The most frequent use of a solenoid is an interlock device for integration into automatic gearbox drive selectors. Other applications for solenoids include petrol cap locking, in-car entertainment release mechanisms, anti vibration engine mountings, air conditioning controls and security systems.


Solenoids can be actuated in milliseconds, or can be velocity controlled to provide smooth, noiseless actuation.

Being a pulsed device with minimal components optimizes solenoids for digital control. This results in faster cycling and higher reliability with fewer interfaces.

Medical solenoid applications demand high accuracy in terms of force and stroke, and stringent standards that ensure reliability and long life.


Magnet Schultz Ltd is the UK end of Magnet-Schultz Group they are leaders in solenoids based engineering solutions, assembly and design. They employ over 1,750 in five different countries over Europe and the USA, supplying thousands of types and specifications in stock, fast response time and online or telephone advice.

Magnet Schultz support and supply clients in some of the world’s most exacting industries, they include:- Aerospace, Defence, Medical & Pharmaceutical, Pneumatic & Hydraulic, Automotive, Marine, Offshore, Transport, Security, Industrial, Power Generation and Building, to name a few.



for more information about the uses of a solenoid

Contact Magnet Schultz for Cost effective Solenoids that deliver functionality .