Solenoid Valves & Valve Manifolds
Automation Distribution is an authorized SMC Corporation of America distributor stocking over 26,000 SMC solenoid valve SKUs — 5-port, 3-port, direct acting, and ISO-standard configurations covering the full range of pneumatic control applications. From a single SY5000 valve for a double-acting cylinder circuit to a bank of VQZ 3-port valves on a manifold base, our technical team and same-day shipping on in-warehouse stock support machine builds across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
SMC solenoid valve series — shop by type
5-port solenoid valves — SY, SYJ, VQZ, VQ series
5-port solenoid valves are the standard choice for controlling double-acting pneumatic cylinders. They direct compressed air to one cylinder port while exhausting the other, producing controlled extend and retract motion. SMC's 5-port lineup covers everything from the sub-miniature SYJ3000 (M3 port) to the high-flow SY9000 (1/2" port), with the SY3000/5000/7000 series being the most widely specified SMC valve family in North American machine building.
Key 5-port series: SY3000, SY5000, SY7000, SY9000, SYJ3000/5000/7000, VQZ 5-port, VQ1000/2000/4000/5000, VQC1000/2000/4000/5000, VF, VFR, VFS, VFN (metal seal, high flow), SJ2000/3000, JSY1000/3000/5000, S0700, SQ, SV, SZ, and intrinsically safe variants. Body ported and base mounted configurations available across all major series. 19,815 SKUs.
3-port solenoid valves — SYJ, VQZ, VP series
3-port solenoid valves control single-acting cylinders (spring return or spring extend), pilot air supply, vacuum on/off, and process fluid on/off. One pressurized output port is either open to supply or exhausted depending on solenoid state. SMC's 3-port lineup includes pilot-operated rubber seal valves (SYJ300/500/700), direct-operated poppet valves (VP300/500/700, VG), and the VQZ100/200/300 series in body-ported and base-mounted forms.
Key 3-port series: SYJ300, SYJ500, SYJ700, VQZ100, VQZ200, VQZ300, VP300, VP500, VP700, VG, VEX, VFN 3-port. 4,223 SKUs.
Direct acting solenoid valves — VX, LVM, V100, S070 series
Direct acting solenoid valves use magnetic force from the energized coil to open or close the valve seat without pilot pressure — making them the correct choice for vacuum applications, very low pressure circuits, and any application where minimum supply pressure cannot be guaranteed. SMC's direct acting lineup includes the VX2 2-port on/off valve, the LVM miniature M5-port valve, the V100/V114/V124 series, and the S070 compact 3-port direct acting valve.
Key direct acting series: VX2, VX3, LVM, V100 (V114, V124), S070, VDW. Specify direct acting when: pressure may drop to 0 MPa, the circuit involves vacuum, or fast response at low pressure is required.
ISO solenoid valves — VQ7, VSS8/VSR8 series
ISO-standard solenoid valves conform to ISO 15407-1 (size 1) or ISO 15407-2 (size 2) dimensional specifications, making them interchangeable with valves from other manufacturers on the same ISO manifold station. SMC's ISO lineup includes the VQ7-6 (size 1) and VQ7-8 (size 2) series single units and the VSS8/VSR8 plug-in valves conforming to ISO 15407-2. ISO manifold assemblies with EX250 and EX500 fieldbus interfaces are available for multi-station installations.
Key ISO series: VQ7-6 (ISO 15407-1 size 1), VQ7-8 (ISO 15407-1 size 2), VSS8-2, VSR8-2, VSS8-4, VSR8-4 (ISO 15407-2), VV71/VV72 manifold bases. 549 SKUs.
How to select an SMC solenoid valve
Port count: Use a 5-port valve to control a double-acting cylinder — it directs air to one side while exhausting the other. Use a 3-port valve for single-acting cylinders, pilot supply, or simple on/off flow control. Use a 2-port direct acting valve for on/off fluid or air control without directional switching.
Pilot vs. direct acting: Pilot-operated valves (SY, SYJ, VQ series) require a minimum supply pressure — typically 0.15 MPa — to shift the internal spool. Direct acting valves (VX, LVM, V100 series) operate from 0 MPa and are required for vacuum, very low pressure, or applications where pressure may be absent at startup.
Body size and flow rate: In the SY series, body size correlates directly to Cv and port size. SY3000 (M5 port, Cv ≈ 0.25–0.5) suits cylinders under ø25mm. SY5000 (1/8" port, Cv ≈ 0.5–1.0) suits ø25–ø63mm. SY7000 (1/4" port, Cv ≈ 1.0–2.0) suits ø63mm and above or high-speed applications. Undersizing causes slow cylinder actuation; oversizing wastes panel space.
Single vs. double solenoid: A single solenoid (spring return) valve returns to its default spool position when de-energized. A double solenoid (memory) valve holds its last commanded position when both coils are off. Double solenoid is required in safety-critical applications where the cylinder must hold position through an E-stop or power loss.
Electrical: 24VDC is the most common voltage in automated machinery. SMC valves are also available in 12VDC, 100VAC, and 200VAC. The voltage and connector type (DIN connector, lead wire, M12) are specified in the part number suffix. Confirm voltage before ordering — coils are not field-interchangeable on most series.
Body ported vs. base mounted: Body ported valves have ports directly on the valve body for direct tubing connection. Base mounted valves sit on a sub-base that carries the port connections and allows multiple valves to share a common manifold rail. For three or more valves, a manifold base significantly reduces piping, panel space, and wiring labor.