SOLENOID VALVE BULLETIN 30-94 F

Type S4A Type S4A

Port Size 20-100mm (3/4”-4”)
FOR AMMONIA, R12, R22, R502
AND OTHER COMMON REFRIGERANTS

FEATURES
• Standard Coil Housing Meets NEMA 3R and
NEMA 4-Rain Tight
• Coil Housing Surpasses NEMA Salt Spray Test
• Plunger-Needle Assembly Same for
S4A,S5A,S6N,S6A,S8F
• Molded Class “B” Coil Construction
• Same Coil Fits Most Refrigerating Specialties
Solenoid Valves
August 2016
• Pilot Light Available
Installation, Service and Parts Information
• Stainless Steel Needle
• Manual Opening Stem It is advisable to install a strainer upstream of each valve to prevent
entrance of foreign material into the valve and the rest of the system.
• Design Pressure (MRP): 28 bar (400 PSIG) Refrigerating Specialties strainers are available to close-couple to valve
inlets.

Purpose
Description Type S4A is a spring closing valve, suitable for use in refrigerant liquid,
This heavy duty solenoid valve is suitable for Ammonia, R-12, R-22, hot gas or suction lines in a temperature range of -50° to 105°C (-60°
and R-502, other refrigerants, certain oils and other fluids approved to 220°F).
for use in refrigeration. The S4A is a pilot operated, semi-steel bodied
valve. The valve may be opened by means of the manual opening Principles of Operation
stem for servicing or in case of electrical power failure. The Type S4A is a pilot operated solenoid. The valve in its closed
position, with the solenoid coil de-energized and the plunger needle
The Type S4A Solenoid Valve is furnished with FPT Internal NPT (U.S.
and main port plug in the seated position, is shown in Figure 1.
Standard Taper Pipe Thread), Socket Weld, Weld Neck or ODS (solders
Electrical energization of the solenoid coil forms a magnetic field,
over copper tubing of given diameter) connections. The valve may be
pulling up the plunger which strikes the needle, lifting it off its seat.
easily removed from between the flanges for servicing.
Upward motion of the needle permits entrance of the fluid from the
valve inlet M through Port N and down through the pilot port to the top
of the power piston. This forces the piston downward and pushes the
main port plug open, thereby permitting flow of the refrigerant through
the valve. The closing spring meanwhile is held in a compressed
position.
De-energization of the solenoid coil permits the spring-assisted needle
to drop back into its seat, stopping the flow through the pilot port.
Bleed-off, through the bleed hole in the piston, decreases the pressure
above the piston and allows the closing spring to force the main port
plug upward into a closed position to stop the flow. The pressure
difference across the valve, acting upon the area of the valve seat,
plus the force of the closing spring, holds the main port plug in a
tightly closed position.

Manual Opening Stem

The manual opening stem on the Type S4A is for the purpose of
opening the valve without energizing the solenoid coil. Refer to the
applicable exploded view and parts list for location of the stem and
other related parts. For access to stem the seal cap on the bottom of
the valve must be removed. This must be done with caution as
refrigerant may have been trapped inside the seal cap. To open the
valve manually, turn the stem counterclockwise as far as it goes. To
reset for automatic operation turn the stem clockwise until only the
flats on the end of the stem protrude from the packing nut.

Fig 1.

Refrigerating Specialties Division 1 I S O 9 0 0 1 C E R T I F I E D

050277
 REPAIR KITS FOR TYPE S4A, S4AE SOLENOID VALVE

50%
Item No. Description & Contents Qty. 20mm 20mm 25mm 32mm 40mm 50mm 65mm 75mm 100mm
3/4" 3/4" 1" 1-1/4" 1-5/8" 2" 2-1/2" 3" 4"
1,3 Knob Kit 1 205237 205237 205237 205237 205237 205237 205237 205237 205237
3 O-Ring 1
6 Coil 1
9 Plunger/Needle Asm. 1
10 Seat Asm. 1
8 Gasket 1
Plunger/Seat Kit 201630 201630 201630 201630 201630 201630 201630 201630 201630
9 Plunger/Needle Asm. 1
8 Gasket 1
Plunger Kit, Needle 201019 201019 201019 201019 201019 201019 201019 201019 201019
11 Adapter Asm. 1
12 Gasket 1
Adapter Kit 201148 201148 201148 201160 201152 201152 201557 201155 201164
11 Adapter Asm., S4AE 1
12 Gasket 1
Adapter Kit, S4AE 202138 202138 202138 202139 202140 202140 202141 202142 201165
13 Piston 1
12 Gasket 1
Piston Kit 200760 200760 200760 200767 200389 200389 200391 200393 200227
16 Plug/Stem Asm. 1
24 Nut, Packing 1
22 Washer, Flat 1
23 Packing, Stem 1
* Spring Kit, Closing 1
Plug Kit, Main Valve 202036 202037 202038 202039 202024 202025 202026 202027 202028
20 O-Ring 1
17 Spring, Comp 1
19 Wiper, Dirt 1
18 Washer, Flat 1
Spring Kit, Closing 202298 202298 202298 202299 202302 202302 202303 202304 202305
22 Washer, Flat 1
24 Nut, Packing 1
23 Packing, Stem 1
Packing Kit, Stem 202100 202100 202100 202100 202100 202100 202100 202101 202101
27 Seal Cap 1
25 Gasket 1
Cap Kit, Seal 202110 202110 202110 202110 202110 202110 202110 202111 202111
* Plug Kit, Main Valve 1
21 Cover, Bottom 1
25 Gasket 1
27 SealCap I
Bottom Asm. Kit 202348 202018 202019 202020 202013 202014 202015 202016 202017
21 Cover, Bottom 1
20 O-Ring 1
22 Washer, Flat 1
23 Packing, Stem 1
Cover Kit 200761 200761 200761 200761
7B Tube Asm., Soln 1
8 Gasket 1
7A Nut, Soln Tube 1
Tube Kit, Solenoid 201036 201036 201036 201036 201036 201036 201036 201036 201036
28 Gasket, Flange 12 202079 202079 202079 202080 202081 202081 202082 202083 202084
Bolt Package, Adapter 6 202252 202252
15 Bolts 8 202248 202249 202249 202541 202541 202541 202541
Bolt Package, Bottom Cap
26 Bolts, 1/2"-13 x 11/2" Lg. 6 202251 202251 202251 202252 202252
8,12,25,28 Gaskets 8
20 O-Ring/Gasket 1
Gasket Kit 202112 202112 202112 202113 202114 202114 202115 202116 202117
8-10,12,13
16-20,22-24 Repair Kit, Soln 202355 202064 202065 202066 202067 202068 202069 202070 202071

Refrigerating Specialties Division 2

 P
PIPE ENGAGEMENT

H
MAX.

WELD NECK
FLANGES

BETWEEN
F TUBE STOPS
J N

B
O.D.S. SOLDER
FLANGES

C G ADD FOR
STRAINER

(FPT FLANGES)
D
(SW FLANGES)

Allow 100mm (4”) above valve for removal of coil housing and coil.
Allow 25m (1.0”) below valve to operate manual opening stem.

DIMENSIONAL TABLE
PORT SIZE
20mm (3/4”) 32mm 40 & 50mm 65mm 75mm 100mm
Dimension & 25mm (1”) (1-1/4”) (15/8 & 2”) (2-1/2”) (3”) (4”)
A mm 376 394 442 467 579 645
inch 14.8 15.5 17.4 18.4 22.8 25.4
B mm 148 162 177 181 273 292
inch 5.8 6.3 6.9 7.1 10.7 11.5
C mm 164 203 251 251 311 339
inch 6.2 8.0 9.9 9.9 12.2 14.1
D mm 216 256 307 331 389 450
(FPT,SW) inch 8.5 10.1 12.1 13.0 15.3 17.7
1¼ 1½ 1½ 2
E mm 261 300 304 364 371 401 478 571
(WN) inch 10.3 11.8 12.0 14.3 14.6 15.8 18.8 22.5
13/8 15/8 21/8 15/8 21/8 25/8 25/8 31/8 31/8 35/8
F mm 239 269 279 304 358 338 358 348 389 414 432 303
(ODS) inch 9.4 10.6 11.0 12.0 14.1 13.3 14.1 13.7 15.3 16.3 17.0 19.8
G mm 98 178 251 314 314 363
inch 3.9 7.0 9.9 12.4 12.4 14.3
H mm 117 117 140 159 176 222
inch 4.6 4.6 5.5 6.2 7.0 8.8
J mm 224 231 284 300 312 353
inch 8.8 9.1 11.2 11.8 12.3 13.9
13/8 15/8 21/8 15/8 21/8 25/8 25/8 31/8 31/8 35/8 41/8
N mm 25 25 28 33 28 33 38 38 43 43 48 55
(ODS) inch 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.2
1-1/4 1-1/2 1-1/2 2
P mm 13 15 15 15 15 25 29 32
(SW) inch 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.1 1.3

Refrigerating Specialties Division 3

Installation then remove #11 Adapter Assembly. Remove every trace of dirt from the
piston and cylinder using fine emery cloth to remove burrs if necessary.
Protect inside of valve from dirt, chips and moisture during installation.
Thoroughly clean all parts and reassemble using a light film of refrigeration
Mount only in horizontal pipe line with solenoid coil at the top; this valve
oil on the Piston.
will work properly only in this position. In a liquid line the Solenoid Valve
should be near the expansion valve inlet. It is advisable to install the S4A 2. Failure to Close: (a) Electrical control circuit is not opening properly.
close coupled companion strainer ahead of the valve for protection against Check wiring and controls. (b) There are chips or dirt on the Pilot Seat
dirt and chips. or the Main Valve Seat, preventing proper seating. Disassemble and
The S4A solenoid valve must be installed with the arrow on the valve clean Valve as outlined in (1f) above. (c) Main Valve Seat, Pilot Seat,
body in the direction of flow through the valve. If the valve is backwards, or Valve Needle may be worn or damaged and therefore leaking.
the flow will not be stopped when the valve is electrically de-energized. Disassemble and clean Valve as outlined in (1f) above. If any of these
Like all Solenoid Valves, the S4A can stop flow only in the direction from parts need replacing, it is advisable to replace using the proper
normal inlet to normal outlet (as shown by the arrow on the body). If reversal replacement kit. (d) #13 Piston is sticking. See (1f) above. (e) #16C
of pressure occurs in the system so the outlet pressure exceeds the inlet Manual Opening Stem is turned all or partly out holding #16A
pressure the piston will be blown away from its seat and reverse flow will Modulating Plug Assembly open and permitting flow through the valve.
occur. If a system has this type of pressure reversal (as encountered (f) #5 Coil Housing Screw (made of non-magnetic stainless steel) has
during hot gas defrost with liquid recirculation systems), a check valve been replaced with a screw made of magnetic material and residual
such as Refrigerating Specialties Division Type CK4A in series with the magnetism is holding #9 Plunger Needle Assembly in the open position.
solenoid valve will prevent flow reversal. (CK4A must be installed
Consequently, the Main Valve is not closing. Replace with screw of
downstream to avoid trapping liquid.)
correct material.
Electrical 3. Leakage Through Valve: See (2) above.
The Refrigerating Specialties Division molded water resistant Class “B”
4. Overheating: The Solenoid Coil is designed to operate hot and is
solenoid coil is designed for long life and powerful opening force. The
standard coil housing meets NEMA 3R and 4 requirements. This sealed
constructed of high temperature materials accordingly. Unless troubled
construction can withstand direct contact with moisture and ice. The coil with actual Coil burnouts, high coil temperature should be ignored.
housing far exceeds the requirements of NEMA Standard ICS, 1-110.57 Persistent burnouts indicate improper line or coil voltage. See (1e)
salt spray test for rust resistance. above.
By definition, Class “B” coil construction will permit coil temperatures, as Warranty
measured by resistance method, as high as 130°C (266°F). Final coil All Refrigerating Specialties Products are warranted against defect in
temperatures are a function of both fluid and ambient temperatures. The workmanship and materials for a period of one year from date of shipment
higher fluid temperatures require lower ambient temperatures so the from factory. This warranty is in force only when products are properly
maximum coil temperature is not exceeded. Conversely, low fluid installed, field assembled, maintained and operated in use and service as
temperatures permit higher ambient temperatures. specifically stated in Refrigerating Specialties Catalogs or Bulletins for
The molded Class “B” coil is available from stock with most standard normal refrigeration applications, unless otherwise approved in writing by
voltages. However, coils are available for other voltages and frequencies, Refrigerating Specialties Division. Defective products, or parts thereof,
as well as for direct current. Coils are also available as transformer type returned to the factory with transportation charges prepaid and found to
with a 6 volt secondary winding for use with the Refrigerating Specialties be defective by factory inspection will be replaced or repaired at
Division Pilot Light Assembly (see current copy of Bulletin 60-10, “Pilot Refrigerating Specialties option, free of charge, F.O.B. factory. Warranty
Light Assembly and Solenoid Transformer Coil”). does not cover products which have been altered or repaired in the field,
The solenoid coil must be connected to electrical lines with volts and damaged in transit, or have suffered accidents, misuse, or abuse. Products
Hertz same as stamped on coil. The supply circuits must be properly sized disabled by dirt or other foreign substances will not be considered defective.
to give adequate voltage at the coil leads even when other electrical THE EXPRESS WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE CONSTITUTES THE
equipment is operating. The coil is designed to operate with line voltage ONLY WARRANTY APPLICABLE TO REFRIGERATING SPECIALTIES
from 85% to 110% of rated coil voltage. Operating with a line voltage PRODUCTS, AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES. EXPRESS
above or below these limits may result in coil burnout. Also, operating with OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
line voltage below the limit will definitely result in lowering the valve opening MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. No
pressure differential. Power consumption during normal operation will be employee, agent, dealer or other person is authorized to give any warranties
33 watts or less. on behalf of Refrigerating Specialties, nor to assume, for Refrigerating
Inrush and running current is listed below: Specialties, any other liability in connection with any of its products.
Inrush Running Fuse Safe Operation (see also Bulletin RSBCV)
Standard Current Current Size People doing any work on a refrigeration system must be qualified and
Volts/Hertz (Amps) (Amps) (Amps) completely familiar with the system and the Refrigerating Specialties
120/60 (Blue leads) 1.18 0.46 1 Division valves involved, or all other precautions will be meaningless. This
208/60 (Blue & Red leads) 0.63 0.26 1 includes reading and understanding pertinent Refrigerating Specialties
240/60 (Red leads) 0.60 0.23 1 Division Product Bulletins, and Safety Bulletin RSB prior to installation or
440/60 (Yellow & Red leads) 0.39 0.13 1 servicing work.
115/50 (Yellow & Blue leads) 1.22 0.21 1
Where cold refrigerant liquid lines are used, it is necessary that certain
230/50 (Yellow leads) 0.65 0.26 1
precautions be taken to avoid damage which could result from liquid
Other (Contact Factory)
expansion. Temperature increase in a piping section full of solid liquid will
On transformer coil the 6 volt leads are always black.
cause high pressure due to the expanding liquid which can possibly rupture
Service Pointers a gasket, pipe or valve. All hand valves isolating such sections should be
The S4A Solenoid Valve and Strainer are easily removable for cleaning or marked, warning against accidental closing, and must not be closed until
repairing. To remove valve and strainer, first manually open the valve and the liquid is removed. Check valves must never be installed upstream of
pump out the refrigerant in the section of the line sealed off. Then unscrew solenoid valves, or regulators with electric shut-off, nor should hand valves
the flange bolts and spread the flanges slightly apart. upstream of solenoid valves or downstream of check valves be closed
until the liquid has been removed. It is advisable to properly install relief
1. Failure to Open: (a) Coil is of incorrectly high voltage. See “Electrical.” devices in any section where liquid expansion could take place.
Check voltage printed on the coil. (b) Line voltage is abnormally low. See
“Electrical.” Check line voltage at coil leads with a voltmeter. (c) Failure to Avoid all piping or control arrangements which might produce thermal or
electrically energize. Check control circuit. (d) Pressure difference across pressure shock.
valve is too high. The S4A will open against a maximum pressure difference For the protection of people and products, all refrigerant must be removed
across the valve of 21 bar (300 psig). (e) Solenoid Coil is burned out. See from the section to be worked on before a valve, strainer, or other device
“Electrical,” and replace with proper coil. (f) Plunger/Needle Assembly is is opened or removed.
sticking. To disassemble the S4A for inspection of internal parts (after Flanges with ODS connections are not suitable for ammonia service.
pumping out the system as required): disconnect power source to #4
Solenoid Coil, remove #7 Tube Assembly, lift out #9 Plunger Assembly,

Parker Hannifin Corporation • Refrigerating Specialties Division 4

2445 South 25th Avenue • Broadview, IL 60155-3891
Telephone: (708) 681-6300 • Fax (708) 681-6306