3/2 switching valves for air treatment units
A 3/2 switching valve lets compressed air into a machine or a branch of the air line when it receives a signal, and when the signal is switched off, it shuts off the supply and exhausts the outlet downstream. At rest it is closed, so without current or without pilot air the machine stays without pressure.
Among the air treatment units, switching valves are part of the modular FUTURA range for potentially explosive atmospheres, in four sizes with G 1/4" to 1" threads. They are switched by a 24 V DC, 115 V AC or 230 V AC coil, or by compressed air applied to the pilot port.
Switching valves by actuation
“Inlet up to” is the highest air line pressure the valve withstands; the lowest is 2 bar for both versions. The flow applies to the largest size.
| FUTURA 3/2 switching valves — actuation comparison | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Version | Connection | Inlet up to | Coil voltage | Flow up to | ATEX |
| Electrically operated MCL…-F | G 1/4"–1" | 10 bar | 24 V DC, 115 V AC, 230 V AC | 12,500 l/min | – |
| Air-operated PCL…-F | G 1/4"–1" | 12 / 16 bar | air-operated | 12,500 l/min | some versions |
The size 0 air-operated valve withstands an inlet of 12 bar at most. Only air-operated valves in sizes 1, 2 and 4 are for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
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How the 3/2 switching valve works
At rest, the valve is closed: supply 1 is shut off and outlet 2 is exhausted to 3. When you energise the coil or apply air to the pilot port, the valve connects the supply to the outlet. When switched off, a spring returns it and it exhausts the outlet again.
The electrically operated valve is switched by a small pilot valve with coil. The exhaust passes through a silencer, which is included.
Electrically, by air or manually
FUTURA switching valves are assembled directly into the air treatment unit. You will find standalone solenoid valves outside the units among the solenoid valves.
Electrically operated
Switched by a 24 V DC, 115 V AC or 230 V AC coil, for example from the machine control. Inlet 2–10 bar, coil protection IP 65.
Air-operated
The same valve without a coil. It is switched by compressed air applied to the G 1/8" pilot port. Inlet 2–16 bar.
Manually and with a lock
When shutting off the air manually is enough, choose a shut-off valve with exhaust. You turn the knob and lock it with a padlock.
Potentially explosive atmospheres
Air-operated switching valves in sizes 1, 2 and 4 are listed in the declaration regarding Directive 2014/34/EU. According to it, you can use them in zones 1 and 2 (gases IIA, IIB, IIC) and 21 and 22 (dust IIIA, IIIB), temperature class T4, under the conditions described for the entire FUTURA range.
Electrically operated valves are not for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Their pilot valve with coil would need its own design for explosive atmospheres. For the zones, therefore, choose the air-operated valve. No size 0 valve is for use there either.
Mounting and spare parts
Mount the valve in the direction of the arrow on the body. You connect it to other components of the same size with a connection kit regardless of the thread, and to a wall with a mounting bracket. With a lubricator, replace the silencer on the exhaust with a filter silencer; oil mist is harmful to health.
The pilot valve with coil is the same for all sizes and is also supplied separately for 24 V DC, 115 V AC and 230 V AC. When replacing it, you screw it on together with its seal. You will find it among the spare parts and accessories together with mounting brackets and connection kits.
Where to go next
| Related pages | |
|---|---|
| Where next | What you will find there |
| FUTURA shut-off and switching valves | Flows by size, order numbers for each voltage, mounting and the spare pilot valve. |
| Soft-start valves for air treatment units | Soft-start units with a 3/2 valve that pressurise the machine gradually after switching on. |
| Shut-off valves for air treatment units | Manual ball valves with exhaust, lockable with a padlock. |
| Complete air treatment units | Filter, regulator and lubricator in one assembly. |
| Quick vent valves | Valves for fast direct venting, outside air treatment units. |
Ventilek’s tip
No signal, no pressure. The FUTURA switching valve is closed at rest. If the voltage or pilot air fails, it shuts off the supply and exhausts the outlet downstream, so the machine does not stay under pressure.
- Is the switching valve open or closed at rest?
- Closed. Without current or without pilot air, it shuts off the supply and exhausts the outlet.
- What voltage does the coil have?
- 24 V DC, 115 V AC or 230 V AC. The power is 2.5 W with DC voltage and 3 VA with AC voltage, protection IP 65.
- What pressure does the valve need?
- Electrically operated 2–10 bar, air-operated 2–16 bar, size 0 at most 12 bar.
- What is the difference between a switching valve and a ball valve?
- You operate the ball valve manually and it can be locked. The 3/2 switching valve is switched by a coil or pilot air, for example according to the machine control. Both exhaust the outlet after closing.
- Can the coil be replaced?
- Yes. The pilot valve with coil is the same for all sizes and is supplied separately for 24 V DC, 115 V AC and 230 V AC.
- Is it suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres?
- Air-operated valves in sizes 1, 2 and 4 are, according to the declaration regarding Directive 2014/34/EU. Electrically operated valves and size 0 are not.
Product sorting
List of products
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL14-F230VAC, size 1: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL14-F24VDC, size 1: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL38-F230VAC, size 1: G 3/8" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL38-F24VDC, size 1: G 3/8" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL14-F, size 1: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL38-F, size 1: G 3/8" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL12-F24VDC, size 2: G 1/2" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL382-F230VAC, size 2: G 3/8" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL382-F24VDC, size 2: G 3/8" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL382-F, size 2: G 3/8" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL12-F230VAC, size 2: G 1/2" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL12-F, size 2: G 1/2" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL10-F230VAC, size 4: G 1" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL10-F24VDC, size 4: G 1" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL34-F230VAC, size 4: G 3/4" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL34-F24VDC, size 4: G 3/4" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL10-F, size 4: G 1" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL34-F, size 4: G 3/4" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, inlet pressure up to 16 bar, for ATEX environments.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL014-F230VAC, size 0: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 230 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL014-F24VDC, size 0: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 24 V DC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL10-F115VAC, size 4: G 1" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL12-F115VAC, size 2: G 1/2" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL38-F115VAC, size 1: G 3/8" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
Air-operated 3/2 valve FUTURA PCL014-F, size 0: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, inlet pressure up to 12 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL014-F115VAC, size 0: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL14-F115VAC, size 1: G 1/4" thread, flow 2,000 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL34-F115VAC, size 4: G 3/4" thread, flow 12,500 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.
3/2 valve FUTURA MCL382-F115VAC, size 2: G 3/8" thread, flow 4,300 l/min, 115 V AC coil, inlet pressure up to 10 bar.