How a reticulation solenoid valve works
Every watering station on your reticulation is switched by its own solenoid valve. The controller sends 24 volts to the valve's coil to open it, and cuts the power to close it.
The animation shows what happens inside, then the six steps our technicians follow to test and service a valve. Press play, or tap a step to jump straight to it.
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Chamber vents — pressure below opens the valve
What you’re looking at
- Bleed port
- A tiny hole that lets water from the inlet into the chamber above the diaphragm.
- Why it stays shut
- Water pressure is the same above and below the diaphragm, but the area on top is bigger, so it holds the valve closed.
- Why it opens
- The coil lifts the plunger, the chamber vents to the outlet, and inlet pressure pushes the diaphragm up.
- Testing the coil
- A multimeter across the solenoid leads typically reads 20–60 Ω. OL (an open circuit) means the solenoid needs replacing.
- Manual open
- A quarter turn of the solenoid opens the valve without power: a quick check that the diaphragm and ports are clear.
Rather have a technician sort it?
Our team does this work across Perth every week. Call (08) 6263 4644 or send a booking enquiry.
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