The Festo VYKA 3/2 media-separated solenoid valve is a compact diaphragm valve that switches, selects and diverts liquids and gases in laboratory instruments.
Available in three seal and diaphragm materials: FFKM, FKM or EPDM, all with a PEEK fluid path and a 1.2 mm orifice nominal size.
Supplied with the handy E-box (50 cm open-end cable, with holding current reduction) and M2 mounting screws. The PEEK sub-base with 1/4-28 UNF ports can be added as an option.
General
This 3/2-way monostable solenoid valve has three ports: a common port and two switched ports, one normally closed and one normally open. Energising the coil moves the flow from one branch to the other, and the mechanical spring returns it to the rest position as soon as the current stops. A flexible diaphragm separates the medium from the actuator, so your reagents only ever touch PEEK and the diaphragm material.
One 3/2 valve does the work of two 2/2 valves, which is what makes it the efficient choice whenever you need to alternate between sample and buffer, select between two reagents, or route a line to waste. You save a coil, a driver channel, a set of fittings and the dead volume of the tee that would otherwise join the two branches. With a small internal volume and millisecond switching, it suits diagnostic analysers, liquid handling platforms and point-of-care instruments, and it also operates under vacuum for aspiration and pressure-driven flow alike.
Advantages
- Two valves in one: select, alternate or divert between two lines with a single part, which frees up board space, driver channels and the dead volume of an external tee.
- Full media separation: the diaphragm keeps aggressive reagents, solvents and biological samples away from the coil and the moving parts, which protects the actuator and keeps your fluid path clean.
- Very low internal volume: only a few tens of microlitres inside the valve, so you waste less reagent, flush faster and keep carryover between the two branches to a minimum.
- Higher flow than the 2/2 versions: a Kv of 0.021 m³/h against 0.018 m³/h, so you get slightly shorter fill and flush times on the same line.
- Fast and repeatable switching: millisecond response with reproducible behaviour, which is what you need for accurate volumetric dispensing.
- Works under vacuum and pressure: the operating range covers -0.5 to 2 bar (-7.25 to 29 psi), so a single valve handles aspiration, degassing and pressurised delivery.
- Low power consumption: holding current reduction in the supplied E-box lets you run a 100% duty cycle without heating the valve or the liquid inside it.
- Very small and light: 10.9 g on a 7.5 mm pitch, so you can pack several valves side by side in a crowded instrument.
Configurations
| Valve function |
3/2-way, monostable, normally closed or normally open |
| Function |
Switches a common port between a normally closed and a normally open port |
| Ports |
COM, NC and NO |
| Seal and diaphragm material |
FFKM (PF), FKM (PV) or EPDM (PE) |
| Nominal size |
1.2 mm |
Seal material selection guide
The diaphragm and seals are the only elastomer parts in contact with your medium, alongside the PEEK fluid path. Pick the compound that matches your chemistry. On a 3/2 valve, remember that both branches see the same materials, so select for the more aggressive of the two fluids.
| |
EPDM (PE) |
FKM (PV) |
FFKM (PF) |
| Best for |
Aqueous buffers, culture media, alcohols, acetone, dilute acids and bases |
Mineral and silicone oils, hydrocarbons, non-polar solvents |
Nearly all chemistries, including ketones, esters, ethers, amines, strong acids and bases |
| Avoid with |
Mineral and silicone oils, hydrocarbons |
Ketones, esters, ethers, amines, methanol, strong bases |
No common laboratory restriction |
| Fluorinated carrier oils |
Suitable |
Suitable, verify long exposure to HFE grades |
Recommended |
| Media temperature [°C] |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
15 to 50 (59 to 122 °F) |
| Switching time [ms] |
5 |
5 |
9 |
Concentration, temperature, and exposure time all matter. Please contact us with your media list if you want us to check it against the manufacturer's resistance data.
Each version can be ordered with or without the PEEK 1/4-28 sub-base (VABS-K1-7B-12-U14-P), which converts the flange interface into 1/4-28 UNF flat-bottom ports for standard laboratory fittings and tubing.
Content
1x VYKA 3/2 solenoid valve
1x VAVE-K1-7-5YL1-LR E-box with 50 cm twin-wire open-end cable and holding current reduction
2x M2 mounting screws
1x VABS-K1-7B-12-U14-P PEEK sub-base with 1/4-28 UNF ports (only when the sub-base option is selected)
Power supply, fittings and tubing are not included (see the Related Products).
Specifications
Main valve specifications
| Valve function |
3/2-way, monostable, normally closed or normally open |
| Design |
Rocker valve with diaphragm seal |
| Orifice Nominal size [mm] |
1.2 |
| Internal volume [µL] |
16 (fluid chamber), 26 (valve with fluid connections) TO CONFIRM |
| Wetted materials |
PEEK and the selected membrane and seal material |
| Medium pressure [bar] |
-0.5 to 2 bar (-7.25 to 29 psi) |
| Water flow rate at max. operating pressure |
0.03 m³/h (0.5 L/min) |
| Operating voltage [V DC] |
12 to 26 |
Detailed valve specifications
| Festo type code |
VYKA-F7-M32-12-PF-5YQ7 |
VYKA-F7-M32-12-PV-5YQ7 |
VYKA-F7-M32-12-PE-5YQ7 |
| Festo part number |
8170083 |
8170084 |
8170085 |
| Diaphragm and seal material |
FFKM |
FKM |
EPDM |
| Media temperature [°C] |
15 to 50 (59 to 122 °F) |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
| Ambient temperature [°C] |
15 to 50 (59 to 122 °F) |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
0 to 50 (32 to 122 °F) |
| Switching time [ms] |
9 |
5 |
5 |
| NC and NO port pressure range [bar] |
-0.5 to 0.5 (-7.25 to 7.25 psi) |
-0.5 to 1 (-7.25 to 14.5 psi) |
-0.5 to 1 (-7.25 to 14.5 psi) |
| COM port pressure range [bar] |
-0.25 to 2 (-3.6 to 29 psi) |
| Pressure difference [bar] |
2 (29 psi) |
| Burst pressure [bar] |
23 (333.5 psi) |
| Internal volume [µL] |
16 fluid chamber, 26 with fluid connections TO CONFIRM |
| Flow rate Kv [m³/h] |
0.021 (0.35 L/min with water, 1 bar pressure difference) |
| Standard nominal flow rate [L/min] |
11 (gaseous media, to DIN 1343) |
| Water flow rate at max. operating pressure |
0.03 m³/h (0.5 L/min) |
| Housing material |
PEEK, reinforced PA, reinforced PPA |
| Wetted materials |
PEEK and the diaphragm or seal material |
| Max. particle size [µm] |
5 |
| Flow direction |
Reversible with restrictions |
| Sealing principle |
Soft |
| Type of reset |
Mechanical spring |
General specifications
| Type of actuation |
Electrical, direct piloting |
| Operating voltage [V DC] |
12 to 26, tolerance ±10% |
| Coil data [W] |
0.06 holding phase, 2.2 pull-in phase |
| Power consumption with E-box [W] |
0.3 holding phase, 3.5 pull-in phase for 60 ms |
| Duty cycle |
100% with holding current reduction |
| Max. switching frequency [Hz] |
6 |
| Insulation material class |
B |
| Electrical connection |
2-pin socket, plug pattern Q7 |
| Fluid connection |
Flange with COM, NC and NO ports, or 1/4-28 UNF with the VABS-K1 sub-base |
| Grid dimension [mm] |
7.5 |
| Type of mounting |
Through-hole for M2 screw, any mounting position |
| Storage temperature [°C] |
-20 to 70 (-4 to 158 °F) |
| Degree of protection |
IP40 when mounted, indoor use only |
| Dimensions [mm] |
7 x 28.4 x 30 mm (0.28 x 1.12 x 1.18 in) |
| Weight [g] |
10.9 g (0.38 oz) |
| Compliance |
RoHS compliant, LABS (PWIS) conformity VDMA 24364 zone III |
Extended pressure and vacuum ranges, as well as customised fluidic and electrical interfaces, are available on request.
Documentation
VYKA operating instructions
Media-separated valves brochure
VYKA datasheet
VABS-K1 sub-base datasheet
VAVE-K1 E-box datasheet
STEP file available on request.
