Lead-Free, Regulation Compliant Water Valves from ASCO and Mead O'Brien

Lead is extremely toxic. Tight US safety regulations affect manufacturers of products such as drinking water fountains, reverse osmosis systems, coffee machines. and commercial kitchen equipment. A lead-free system cannot contain soldering flux with greater than 0.2% lead content, or more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead in the wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and fixtures. Under the law, lead free is a cumulative concept. Let's take an example. A manufacturer who makes dishwashers performs the lead content calculation, averaging all of the models relevant components. A brass valve has 2.5% lead content in the brass parts, well over the 0.25% limit. But the small wetted surface area of the valve is outweighed by the large wetted surface of the stainless steel tank with zero lead content. No design changes are needed to comply with the law.

Considerations for Solenoid Valve Selection

• Brass can have 2.5% lead content, so you must do a calculation to ensure compliance.
• Lead-free brass products are now available.
• Composite and plastic components are lead free.
• Stainless steel is lead free, but it remains expensive.
• NSF approved valves are often the preferred choice and may even be mandated in the future

ASCO Lead-Free Valve Solutions

ASCO Series 212 Composite Valves - These composite valves are designed for use in potable water applications and come with NSF certifications. Installation is made easy through the FasN system, with multiple end connector options. Download the Series 212 Brochure for more information.

ASCO Series 210 Solenoid Valves - ASCO has introduced new lead-free brass solenoid valves to the market that are aimed at providing a safer alternative to standard brass valves. The new products meet the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1417 low lead requirements. 

DOWNLOAD THE ASCO LEAD-FREE SOLUTIONS CATALOG, THE SERIES 212 CUT-SHEET, AND THE SERIES 210 CUT-SHEET FROM THIS MEAD O'BRIEN WEB PAGE

For more information about ASCO products, contact Mead O'Brien. Call them at (800) 892-2769 or visit their website at https://meadobrien.com.

Selecting the Proper ASCO Solenoid Valve

This catalog is designed to make it easier to select and order the right valve for your application from ASCO. It provides very handy tables of part numbers, port configurations, sizes, and materials.

Download the PDF version here and keep available when when specifying ASCO solenoid valves.

Selecting the Right ASCO Solenoid Valve from Mead O'Brien, Inc.

Voltage Ranging Solenoid Valve Coils are Rewriting Industry Standards

Voltage Ranging Solenoid Valves (ASCO)

New power management technology is rewriting industry standards for reliability and power consumption of solenoid valve coils. The new technology solenoid valves accepts both AC and DC voltages while improving performance. Available in 2-way, 3-way and 4-way, these solenoid valves are designed to handle most fluid control applications.

The enhanced valves are designed to be drop in replacements for existing valves. There is no change to functional attributes such as flow, pressure, ambient & fluid temperatures or physical attributes such as envelope size and face-to-face dimensions. If you're looking to just switch out a coil, enhanced coil kits are direct replacements for the old coil kits.

Here are the benefits to end customers:

Lower Power Consumption

• 1.0 watt (DC version) & 1.5 watts (AC/DC versions)
• Lowers energy cost up to 80% compared to standard solenoid valves 

RoHS 2 Compliant

• Satisfies CE Directives 2002/95/EC and 2001/65/EU (RoHS 2) for the restriction of hazardous substances 

Supervisory Current Compatible

• Suitable for systems employing supervisory currents not exceeding the following drop-out currents:
  • 20mA (12-24V DC), 15mA (24-120V AC/DC) and 7mA (100-240V AC/DC) 
• Also suitable with devices having leakage currents not exceeding the drop-out currents noted above. 

Broad Voltage Ranges Reduce Inventory

• Available in 24-120V AC/DC, 100-240V AC/DC & 12-24V DC 
• Covers hundreds of global voltage requirements
• Simplifies product selection and reduces complexity
• Lowers inventory cost by eliminating need to stock both AC & DC products
• Includes 125VDC battery (AC/DC versions) & 24VDC battery (DC version) 

DC Performance Increased Up to 500% To Match AC Ratings 

• Transition from AC to DC without sacrificing performance
• Eliminates the need for separate AC & DC output cards
• Simplifies control schemes 

Integrated Surge Suppression

• Prolongs the life of the coil by suppressing external voltage spikes
• Lowers system cost by eliminating the need for additional surge protection 

Fit For Use In Rugged and Demanding Environments

• Wide ambient temperature range for hot and cold environments
• Enclosure Types 1 through 4X for indoor and outdoor applications o Optional Class 1, Division 2 coils available for hazardous locations 

No AC Hum

• Ideal for applications requiring quiet operation

Contact Mead O'Brien at (800) 892-2769 or visit http://www.meadobrien.com for more information.

Applying the ASCO 212 Composite Solenoid Valve for Reverse Osmosis Water Systems

ASCO Series 212 Composite Solenoid Valves
for Reverse Osmosis Water Systems

Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most popular methods for effective water purification. It has been used for years to purify contaminated water, including converting brackish or seawater to drinking water.

Reverse osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (such as salts) are removed from a solution (such as water). This is accomplished by pushing the water through a semi permeable membrane, which allows only the water to pass, but not the impurities or contaminates.

Reverse Osmosis can deliver bottled-water quality safety and taste by removing over 99% of dissolved minerals, chlorine and contaminants. Many leading bottled-water companies actually use large-scale RO to produce their water.

Reverse osmosis systems are found in several drinking water applications from restaurant, food and beverage equipment to grocery store produce misting.

The ASCO Series 212 solenoid valve is designed for these type systems. The valves come with NSF approvals for use in drinking water systems and also is design with unique “FasN” quick connection system. The valves are designed to handle 150 psi up to 180 deg. F. and has low wattage coils in both AC and DC.

See the video below for an illustration of where these valves are used in RO systems.