Terminology - Solenoid

[pflaming]

Terminology / definition of terms is all important in most everything. I've just learned what a solenoid and a relay are. They are electro-magnetic transfer switches. Good stuff for me to know. 

 

Synonyms 

Switch           = electricity

Gate             = agriculture

Valve            = water

Edited November 23, 2014 by pflaming

[Ulu]

They both have electromagnets, but a solenoid's moves a mechanism like a lock or gear, while a relay just works a switch.

 

It does get cloudy when the solenoid does both, (ala Chevrolet-style starters for most of the last century) and IMO if it does both it's a solenoid.

 

A relay is like the runner in a relay race. It "hands off" one circuit's "signal" to another circuit.

[mlozier76]

Also a relay tends to have the ability of using a smaller signal amperage (smaller wiring) to activate a larger amperage circuit.  Solenoid Valves transfer any fluid medium (i.e. electrons, water, air), whereas Solenoids generally employ mechanical or electrical movement.  I used to work on large equipment and currently work selling parts to heavy truck guys, and terminology can be extremely confusing and can seriously mess up parts ordering.

Edited December 29, 2014 by mlozier76

[Don Coatney]

Ulu, on 23 Nov 2014 - 02:23 AM, said:

They both have electromagnets,

Not necessarily true. Solid state relays have no moving parts.

[mlozier76]

I guess what I meant is that solenoid generally affects or causes movement, whether mechanical or electrical.  Yet another area where terminology, or word usage matters.