50-VFE / 50-VPE Series Pilot Operated Explosion-Proof Solenoid Valves

Brand: SOLH by Richge Technology 

 I. Roduct Overview

     SOLH 50 series is a flameproof pilot-operated explosion-proof solenoid valve product line split into two core models:

     --50-VFE: 5/2-way flameproof solenoid valve

     --50-VPE: 3/2-way flameproof solenoid valve

     The whole series is certified with Ex d Ⅱ BT4 flameproof certification, mandatory China Ex-CCC explosion-proof certification and international TIIS explosion-proof approval, with IPX6 waterproof & dustproof rating. It is suitable for Zone 1 & Zone 2 flammable & explosive gas environments, including coating, lithium battery, chemical, ink, dust packaging and oil & gas supporting equipment.

     All coils share uniform 3.5W power consumption, lubrication-free design, and support two installation forms: individual threaded mounting & multi-station manifold valve island.

Core Distinction Between Two Models

     --50-VFE: For bidirectional drive of double-acting cylinders

     --50-VPE: Compatible with vacuum negative pressure and single-acting cylinder circuits

     The explosion-proof housing and coils are fully interchangeable between the two models, while valve air passages and manifold bases are completely non-interchangeable.

2. Universal Explosion-Proof Standard Specifications (Applicable to Both Models)

2.1:Explosion Safety Parameters

     --Explosion Mark: Ex d Ⅱ BT4 Gb (Max surface temperature T4: 135℃); optional low-temperature T5 / T6 versions

     --Protection Class: IPX6, resistant to water jet splash, stable in humid & dusty workshop environments

     --Certifications: China mandatory Ex-CCC, Japanese TIIS, IEC international explosion-proof standard, RoHS environmental compliance

     --Hazardous Zones: Gas explosion Zone 1, Zone 2; compatible with ethylene, propylene, paint solvent and combustible dust working environments

     --Wiring Options: T-type metal flameproof cable gland, L-type flameproof socket wiring boxes to prevent electric spark leakage

     --Coil Voltages: DC24V / DC12V, AC220V / AC110V; constant 3.5W coil power, low heat generation for explosion safety

2.2 General Mechanical Parameters

     --Working Medium: Dry clean compressed air, inert gas; vacuum operation only available for 50-VPE

     --Lubrication: Lubrication-free, matched with AFC oil-free air combination unit; AC/BC oil mist triple units are forbidden for vacuum circuits

     --Manual Override: Push-type manual pin, lockable / non-lockable optional for circuit testing under power-off status

     --Installation: Valve can be mounted at any angle without gravity limitation

     --Max Switching Frequency: 1Hz cycle; Response time ≤45ms (tested under 0.5MPa standard air supply)

     --Operating Temperature: T4 version: -10℃ ~ +50℃; T6 low-temperature version: -10℃ ~ +40℃ (no internal icing allowed)

3.  50-VFE Series 5-Port Explosion-Proof Solenoid Valve (50-VFE3000 / 5000 Series)

3.1 Model Code Definition (Example: 50-VFE51201T)

     --50: Flameproof series code

     --VFE: 5/2-way elastic seal pilot spool valve

     --5: 5000 high flow specification

     --1: Single solenoid spring return

     --2: Threaded direct mounting

     --0: Standard configuration

     --1: G1/4 port thread

     --T: Metal flameproof cable gland

Model Sub-specifications

     --50-VFE3000: Compact low flow, effective sectional area 18mm², Cv=1.0, G1/8 port

     --50-VFE5000: Mainstream standard flow, effective sectional area 45mm², Cv=2.5, G1/4 mainstream port

3.2 Structure & Air Circuit Logic (5/2 Way)

     --Port Definition: P supply inlet, A output, B output, R1/R2 two independent exhaust ports; main valve + pilot valve centralized exhaust, no separate pilot exhaust piping required to simplify wiring layout

     --Spool Structure: Pilot spool elastic seal; minimum 0.15MPa pressure differential required to drive spool, cannot shift under vacuum negative pressure

Functional Modes

     --Single solenoid (suffix 1): Energized → P→A, B→R2; power off spring reset → P→B, A→R1, one-way cylinder reset

     --Double solenoid (suffix 2): Latching memory function, maintains valve position after power cut, ideal for long-time pressure holding clamping stations

3.3 Matching Installation Accessories

     --Threaded mounting: Direct G1/8, G1/4 threaded connection, compatible with KQ2 push-in fittings & PU/PA pneumatic tubing

     --Manifold valve island: Dedicated 5-port manifold base 50-VV5FE3 (for 3000 series) / 50-VV5FE5 (for 5000 series), supports up to 10 stations centralized air supply; manifold air channels only fit VFE valves, mixed assembly with VPE 3-port valves is prohibited

3.4 Typical Applications (Only for Double-Acting Cylinder Circuits)

     --Double-acting transfer, stopper, stamping clamping cylinders on explosion-proof production lines

     --NAMUR pneumatic ball valve / butterfly valve actuator switching control for chemical pipelines

     --Centralized valve island automation for coating & lithium battery dust workshops

     --All explosion-proof pneumatic systems requiring bidirectional cylinder extend & retract motion

3.5 Limitation Note

     Vacuum circuits are strictly forbidden. Without sufficient pressure differential under negative pressure, the spool cannot shift, leading to suction cup loss and cylinder malfunction. Only compatible with standard 0.2~0.9MPa positive air supply.

4. 50-VPE Series 3-Port Explosion-Proof Solenoid Valve (50-VPE500 / 700 Series)

4.1 Model Code Definition (Example: 50-VPE54201T)

     --50: Flameproof series code

     --VPE: 3/2-way elastic seal pilot poppet valve

     --542: VP500 specification, threaded normally closed NC

     --0: Standard configuration

     --1: G1/4 port thread

     --T: Metal flameproof cable gland

Model Sub-specifications

     --50-VPE500: Standard flow, effective sectional area 41.4mm², Cv=2.3, for conventional vacuum handling

     --50-VPE700: High flow, effective sectional area 72mm², Cv=4.0, for large sheet & multi-hole carton vacuum transport

4.2 Structure & Air Circuit Logic (3/2 Normally Closed NC, NO convertible)

     --Port Definition: P supply inlet, A output, R single exhaust; independent pilot exhaust port PE. In high-dust explosion-proof zones, external piping can guide exhaust gas to safe areas

     --Spool Structure: Pilot hard-seal poppet type, zero differential pressure startup, stable operation under full vacuum down to -101.2kPa, dedicated flameproof valve for vacuum circuits

NC Working Logic (NO function switchable)

     --Energized: P connected to A for air supply, R closed; vacuum generator produces negative pressure, single-acting cylinder extends

     --Power off: P cut off, A automatically connected to R for pressure relief; suction cup instant vacuum break, single-acting cylinder spring retracts automatically. Workpieces are released when explosion-proof equipment shuts down to improve operational safety

4.3 Matching Installation Accessories

     --Direct threaded mounting: M5, G1/8, G1/4 thread ports, directly installed upstream of vacuum generators

     --Dedicated vacuum manifold island: 3-port exclusive base 50-VV3PE with independent air channels, cannot be mixed assembled with 5-port VFE valves

4.4 Core Advantages (Only Compliant Flameproof Valve for Vacuum Explosion-Proof Circuits)

     --Zero differential pressure startup, compatible with both vacuum negative pressure and standard positive pressure working conditions

     --Automatic pressure relief on power loss; workpieces are released when explosion-proof equipment stops to avoid clamping injury or falling hazards

     --Ultra-low leakage poppet seal, no suction attenuation during long-duration vacuum adsorption

4.5 Typical Applications

     --Explosion-proof vacuum handling: ZU/ZB vacuum generator + ZPT buffer suction cup for lithium battery, coating & food explosion-proof material pickup

     --Single-acting spring return cylinders for lifting, clamping & ejection simple tooling

     --Negative pressure adsorption transfer of film, cartons and glass sheets in flammable & explosive workshops

     --Branch air supply cut-off and maintenance pressure relief circuits for explosion-proof equipment

5. Comparison Table: 50-VFE VS 50-VPE

6. Standard Explosion-Proof Complete Pneumatic Circuit Matching

     --Circuit 1: Explosion-Proof Vacuum Handling (50-VPE54201T):  Oil-free explosion-proof air combination AFC2000 → 50-VPE54201T → PU6 tubing → ZU straight vacuum generator + ZPT buffer suction cup

     --Circuit 2: Explosion-Proof Double Cylinder Transfer (50-VFE51201T):  Explosion-proof air triple unit AC2000 → 50-VFE51201T 5-port valve island → PU8 tubing → SC/SDA double-acting explosion-proof cylinder

     --Circuit 3: Explosion-Proof Single-Acting Clamping Jig:  Explosion-proof pressure regulator AR → 50-VPE500 → PU4 micro tubing → MAL mini single-acting cylinder

7. Selection & Explosion-Proof Safety Operation Specifications

     --Vacuum circuits must adopt 50-VPE only:  The spool structure of 50-VFE cannot shift without pressure differential; using it for vacuum circuits leads to complete failure and workpiece falling safety risks. AC/BC triple units with oil mist generators are strictly prohibited for vacuum systems, as oil contamination will block the VPE poppet and cause leakage.

     --Double-acting cylinders must adopt 50-VFE 5-port valve:  3-port VPE only provides single air output and cannot realize cylinder extend & retract bidirectional movement; it cannot replace 5-port valves.

     --Mixed assembly of manifold bases is prohibited:  5-port VFE base and 3-port VPE base have independent air channel openings. Cross-installation will cause full circuit air leakage and equipment malfunction.

     --Mandatory explosion-proof wiring rules:  Original factory T-type metal flameproof cable glands must be used with tightly sealed cables; no exposed metal contacts inside wiring boxes. Unauthorized replacement with ordinary plastic sockets is forbidden. If the pilot PE exhaust port needs external drainage, piping must lead exhaust gas to designated explosion-proof safe zones to avoid accumulation of flammable gas.

     --Air supply front-end filtration requirement:  AF/AFC air filter (5μm precision) must be installed upstream of explosion-proof valves. Dust and water vapor entering the valve body will cause spool jamming, which may trigger combustion & explosion hazards under explosion-proof working conditions.

      --Maintenance & overhaul regulations:  Shut off upstream HSV manual globe valve and exhaust residual pipeline pressure before disassembly for maintenance. Disassembly of explosion-proof housing under live or pressurized status is forbidden; damaged flameproof mating surfaces will void all explosion-proof certifications.

8. Industrial Application Fields

     Lithium battery explosion-proof coating & assembly lines, paint spraying automation, chemical pipeline valve automatic control, ink printing dust workshops, food explosion-proof packaging production lines, oil & gas supporting pneumatic actuators, pharmaceutical clean explosion-proof equipment, explosion-proof manipulators for dust material sorting.

One Sentence Summary

     SOLH 50 series flameproof pilot solenoid valves split into 50-VFE 5-port spool type for double-acting cylinders and 50-VPE 3-port poppet type for vacuum & single-acting cylinders, certified Ex d II BT4 / CCC / TIIS with IPX6 rating, serving as certified safe pneumatic switching solutions for all Zone 1 & Zone 2 flammable explosive industrial production lines.