Brass Valves

Brass Solenoid Valves | 2-Way Electric, NC & NO

Shop 2-way brass electric solenoid valves in sizes from 1/8" to 2" NPT, available in normally closed (NC) and normally open (NO) configurations with 12V DC, 24V DC, 24V AC, and 110V AC coil voltages. Brass valve bodies are designed to handle hot water, air, fuel, and light oils at temperatures up to 250°F, making them a reliable, cost-effective choice for irrigation, HVAC, compressed air, and industrial fluid control systems.

This page covers our 2-way brass electric solenoid valves. If you're looking for a different type of electrically controlled brass valve, see:

• Motorized Brass Ball Valves
• Brass 3-Way Solenoid Valves

Why Is Brass Used for Solenoid Valves?

Brass is a copper-zinc alloy prized in fluid control for its balance of durability, machinability, and cost. Although softer than stainless steel, brass valve bodies stand up to years of service in demanding applications. Benefits of a brass-body electric solenoid valve include:

• Corrosion resistance against water, air, and many non-aggressive fluids
• High durability and long service life under frequent cycling
• Non-sparking metal, suitable for environments where spark risk matters
• Better heat absorption and thermal dissipation than plastic valve bodies
• Easier to machine than stainless steel valves, which helps keep upfront costs lower

Brass strikes the middle ground between economical plastic valves and premium stainless steel: stronger and more heat-tolerant than plastic, at a more affordable price point than stainless.

Choosing the Right Brass Solenoid Valve

With a large catalog to choose from, narrowing down the right valve comes down to a handful of criteria. Work through the factors below, and if you still have questions, contact us for guidance.

Media Compatibility

What fluid or gas will the valve control? Brass solenoid valves are excellent for hot water, air, gas, diesel fuel, Freon, weak acids, and weak alkalis. While excellent for general utility water and plumbing, brass valves are not recommended for highly corrosive fluids, salt air, or marine environments—for those applications, choose our stainless steel valves instead.

Normally Closed vs. Normally Open

Solenoid valves come in two circuit functions:

• Normally closed (NC) valves block flow in the de-energized state and open when powered. Choose NC when media should stay put by default and flow only on command — for example, opening a sprinkler or irrigation zone. NC is our most common configuration.
• Normally open (NO) valves allow flow in the de-energized state and close when powered. Choose NO when media should flow continuously, and the valve's job is to shut it off — or when the valve must fail open on power loss.

Because the coil is only energized part of the time, match the circuit function to whichever state your system spends the most time in to reduce power consumption and coil heat.

Direct-Acting & Semi-Direct Lift vs. Pilot-Operated

Unlike standard pilot-operated valves that require a high minimum pressure to open, many of our brass solenoid valves utilize a semi-direct lift (zero differential) design. They operate from 0 PSI, making them the right choice for gravity-fed, low-pressure, or vacuum applications, while still managing high flow pressures up to 145 PSI. Always check the specific pressure requirements on each product page before ordering.

DC vs. AC Voltage

Match the coil voltage to your power source. For example, if your power is coming from a vehicle or battery setup, you will need a DC valve; if you are connecting to a household outlet, you will need an AC valve.

We stock brass solenoid valves with 12V DC, 24V DC, 24V AC, and 110V AC coils.

Pressure & Flow Rate (Cv)

Pressure ratings and flow rates vary by valve size and media type—with thresholds handling up to 145 PSI for air, 115 PSI for water, and 70 PSI for light oil, depending on the model. To size a valve correctly, compare options using their flow coefficient (Cv), which tells you how much flow a valve passes at a given pressure drop. Full pressure ranges and Cv values are listed on each product page.

Temperature

Our brass solenoid valves feature premium FKM (Viton®) seals and operate safely from 15°F to 250°F (-10°C to 120°C) — both below the freezing point and above the boiling point of water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can brass solenoid valves handle drinking water?

Brass valves are not recommended for drinking water. For that application, stainless steel or plastic valves would be the preferred choice.

What is the difference between normally closed and normally open solenoid valves?

A normally closed (NC) valve blocks flow until it's energized to open. A normally open (NO) valve allows flow until it's energized to close. NC is the more common configuration and is used when the flow should be off by default.

Can brass solenoid valves handle hot water?

Yes. Built with heavy-duty solid brass bodies and Viton® seals, these valves handle hot water up to 250°F (120°C).

What voltage solenoid valve do I need?

Match the coil to your power source: 12V DC for vehicles and battery/solar systems, 24V AC for irrigation controllers, 24V DC for automation/PLCs, and 110V AC for standard household electrical outlets.

Do these valves require pressure to open?

No. Many of our general-purpose brass solenoid valves utilize a semi-direct lift (zero differential) design that operates from 0 PSI, meaning they do not require a minimum line pressure differential to function and work great in gravity-fed systems.

Need Help Choosing the Right Brass Solenoid Valve?

Choosing the right brass solenoid valve depends on your media compatibility, valve size, normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) configuration, operating pressure, coil voltage, and flow requirements. Whether you're replacing an existing valve, upgrading an irrigation or HVAC system, building OEM equipment, or designing an industrial automation system, our team can help you select the right brass solenoid valve for your application. If you're unsure which valve best fits your system, contact our valve experts for personalized product recommendations and technical assistance.