Analyzing the Thermal Operating Conditions of a Solenoid

BACKGROUND

When designing a Solenoid the operating temperature of the Coil must be taken into account when assessing the Solenoid’s performance.  As the Solenoid’s Coil temperature increases due to ambient conditions or self heating the resistance of the coil also increases, reducing the current draw for a given supply voltage.  A reduction of current reduces the magnetomotive force output of the coil (Coil Turns x Amps) which reduces the Solenoid Force output.