New Product Release: ARD-0520NL-01 Miniature Power-Off Holding Electromagnet
We are releasing a new miniature electromagnet built for mechanisms that must hold their position when the power is off. The ARD-0520NL-01 is a compact power-off holding solenoid: a spring keeps the armature seated without any current, and a short DC pulse releases it. That makes it a natural fit for smart locks, valve and damper actuation, dosing modules and other small mechanisms where dropping position on power loss is not acceptable.
Why We Built It
Most small solenoids on the market are designed to push or pull while energized. That means continuous current, continuous heat, and a mechanism that falls to a default state the moment power disappears. For compact locking and latching designs the requirement is usually the opposite: stay put with zero power, move only when commanded. The ARD-0520NL-01 is specified around that duty pattern from the start — holding force specified with the coil de-energized, thrust specified at a defined 3.8 mm stroke with DC12V applied.
Main Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Part number | ARD-0520NL-01 |
| Type | Miniature power-off holding electromagnet |
| Rated voltage | DC 12 V (working range DC 12 V ±10%) |
| Rated power / resistance | 6 W, coil 24 Ω ±10% |
| Rated current | 0.5 A |
| Duty cycle | ON : OFF = 0.1 s : 0.3 s (ED 25%) |
| Holding force (de-energized, 0 mm) | ≥ 50 g |
| Thrust (energized DC12V, 3.8 mm stroke) | ≥ 50 g |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Relative humidity | 5% to 60% RH |
| Insulation resistance | DC 500 V, ≥ 50 MΩ (coil to bobbin) |
| Dielectric strength | AC 700 V, 50/60 Hz, 1 s, leakage ≤ 1 mA (coil to case) |
| Service life | Over 100,000 cycles under normal use |
| Appearance standard | No damage, cracks, rust or surface stains |
What the 25% Duty Cycle Means for Your Design
The 0.1 s ON / 0.3 s OFF pattern tells you something useful in advance: this part is intended for pulse actuation, not continuous energisation. Design your driver around that and you get three benefits:
- Low thermal load. At 6 W with a 25% duty cycle, average dissipation is roughly 1.5 W — heat stays manageable inside a sealed enclosure.
- Simple drive electronics. A straightforward DC12V switching stage with the specified timing is enough; no exotic driver required.
- Fail-safe behaviour by default. If power is lost mid-cycle, the mechanism returns to its held state rather than dropping.
Where an application genuinely needs long ON times, talk to us about the duty pattern before finalising the design — the coil and thermal path can be specified for it rather than run outside the rated condition.
Verification Behind the Numbers
Every figure in the table above is an acceptance criterion, not a marketing estimate. Insulation resistance is measured at DC500V between coil and bobbin, dielectric strength is verified at AC700V for one second with leakage held to 1 mA or less between coil and case, and units are inspected for damage, cracking, rust and surface staining before packing. Mechanical life is qualified at over 100,000 cycles under normal operating conditions, and the -40 °C to +85 °C range covers both outdoor winter exposure and the inside of a warm enclosure.
Typical Applications
- Smart locks and cabinet latches — hold the bolt closed with zero standby current, release on command
- Valve, damper and shutter actuation — defined 3.8 mm stroke with repeatable thrust
- Dosing and dispensing modules — short pulse, high cycle count, low heat
- Instrument and camera mechanisms — compact holding action where a permanent magnet alone is not controllable
Availability and Customisation
The ARD-0520NL-01 is available now for sampling and volume orders. For projects that need a different voltage, coil resistance, stroke or force level, we develop variants on the same platform — and where the mechanism calls for it, we integrate the electromagnet with our stepper motor designs so the customer receives a single tested subassembly instead of two parts to align.
Request a sample or send your actuation requirements — we will confirm the specification, provide the test data and quote against your volume.
