Solenoid

To paraphrase Webster, a solenoid is an electromagnet made out of a wire wound around a tube. A bar of iron sits partially inside the tube. Run some current through the wire, and it will pull the bar into the tube. Voila, you have harnessed the electron to provide some axial force. Usually there's some sort of spring that pulls the bar back out when you're done applying the juice.

If you've been in an arcade, then you've seen solenoids at work in the moving parts of a pinball machine. If you've been in prison, you've seen solenoids at work in the electronic lock on your cell.

Don't ever try to drive a solenoid with alternating current. If you're lucky, it will scare you with the frenzied clacking of the bar against the tube. If you are unlucky, it will catch fire and burn down your house.

So"len*oid (?), n.[Gr. channel + -oid.] Elec.

An electrodynamic spiral having the conjuctive wire turned back along its axis, so as to neutralize that component of the effect of the current which is due to the length of the spiral, and reduce the whole effect to that of a series of equal and parallel circular currents. When traversed by a current the solenoid exhibits polarity and attraction or repulsion, like a magnet.

<-- 2. a switch or valve using such a solenoid circuit to drive a metal bar which opens or closes an electric circuit or a valve controlling fluid movement. -->

 

© Webster 1913.