From: rcres@XXnewsguy.com   
      
   "Gordon"  wrote in message   
   news:j3qgv.158080$hK2.37256@fx04.am4...   
   > Hi   
   >      I have a 240 volt solenoid valve which is used as a pilot for an Air   
   > Valve. On the plate, it states the solenoid is 240 volt,  50 Hz, 18va.   
   >   
   > Now I have a level switch which I want to use to turn this valve/solenoid   
   > on and off with, it has a built in relay which can handle 4 amps, is this   
   > relay up to the job?   
   >   
   > I have tried googling this, and found that 240 volts coil 18 va  works out   
   > at around 0.078 amps or 18 watts, but for some reason this just doesn't   
   > feel right to me, if it is I will be over very happy if not then I will   
   > buy a bigger relay. I would like someone with a little more know how than   
   > me to   
      
   You are correct, watts divided by volt = amps. So it's 18/240=.075 amps (75   
   ma). That is not unreasonable considering it runs at 240 volts. Do the same   
   calculation using a 24 volt coil: 18/24=.75 (750ma or 3/4 of an amp).   
      
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