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I have a power supply with 12V running into a the common on my PLC. Output 0 on the PLC is wired into a solenoid. The negative on the solenoid runs into the ground on the power supply completing the circuit.

When I power up the PLC and the the external power supply all outputs on the PLC are off and the solenoid is off. When I activate Output 0, my solenoid clicks on as expected. However, when I turn Output 0 back off, the solenoid stays on. The solenoid only turns off if I physically remove the ground wire.

edit:

The diagram below gives some insight. Power supply wired to Pin 17. Output 0 (pin 10) wired to solenoid. Solenoid is wired back to ground on the power supply.

If I give the command to turn output 0 on, the solenoid comes on. If I give the command to turn output 0 off, the solenoid stays on.

enter image description here

Link to my cheapo solenoid. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008IG7SWQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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    \$\begingroup\$ Ben, what model SSR (solid state relay) are you using? What you are describing is consistent with a situation when an SSR made for AC is used for DC. \$\endgroup\$ May 21, 2014 at 19:59
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Nick: He said "solenoid" and that he heard a click, both of which are inconsitant with a solid state relay. Otherwise, that was a clever insight, but unfortunately doesn't apply here. \$\endgroup\$ May 21, 2014 at 20:02
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    \$\begingroup\$ @OlinLathrop solid-state-relay seems to be among the tags. At the same time, if Ben posted a diagram of what he is attempting, that wouldn't hurt. \$\endgroup\$ May 21, 2014 at 20:04
  • \$\begingroup\$ Sorry for the confusion, initially I had the PS running through a SSR and was using the PLC to energize the SSR, turning the solenoid (which had the same issue). I then removed the SSR and went directly into the PLC with the solenoid to simplify troubleshooting and had the same result. \$\endgroup\$
    – Ben B
    May 21, 2014 at 20:08
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    \$\begingroup\$ A lot of solenoids will stay on (once activated) almost down to zero mA flowing thru them. Try putting a 3.3kohm resistor in parallel with the solenoid and see what happens. It could be a few mA leakage thru the opto-transistor. Maybe provide a link to the solenoid too. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    May 21, 2014 at 20:47

2 Answers 2

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A common problem. Its all to do with the coil on the device, I have had the same issue with energising contactors before.

Try instead to used the PLC output to energise a small relay and switch the solenoid via a relay contact. That should solve your problem.

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Based on the suggestions I researched my relay and found the outputs were AC. I spec'd a similar relay with DC outputs and everything worked as intended. Thanks for everyone's help.

Ben

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