NORGREN VMS-2110-24 Retrofit-Compatible Valve for Legacy Systems

NORGREN VMS-2110-24 Retrofit-Compatible Valve for Legacy Systems: Seamless Upgrade for Aging Automation Infrastructure

The NORGREN VMS-2110-24 is a 24 VDC solenoid valve from the established VMS Series platform, purpose-built for applications where legacy pneumatic control systems must remain operational while a broader modernization program is underway. For maintenance engineers managing end-of-life control cabinets, discontinued PLC I/O racks, or aging manifold assemblies, this valve delivers a verified drop-in replacement path without requiring immediate redesign of the surrounding pneumatic circuit.

NORGREN’s VMS Series was widely deployed across discrete manufacturing, food and beverage processing, automotive body-in-white lines, and general-purpose pneumatic actuation panels. As original equipment manufacturers have phased out support for first-generation VMS manifold blocks and associated sub-base assemblies, procurement teams and reliability engineers face increasing pressure to source compatible spare parts that maintain dimensional, electrical, and flow-performance parity with the installed base. The VMS-2110-24 addresses this need directly, offering a stocked, tested, and warranted solution for sites that cannot afford unplanned downtime.

Upgrade Compatibility Table

Retrofit Planning for Existing Automation Systems

Replacing a solenoid valve in an active production environment requires more than a part number match. Engineers responsible for legacy pneumatic panels must evaluate the full control chain before committing to a swap. The VMS-2110-24 sits within a broader ecosystem of components that are frequently replaced or upgraded in the same maintenance window.

On the electrical side, the valve coil draws current from a discrete output channel — typically sourced from a relay output module or a transistor output card on a legacy PLC rack. If the control system is a first-generation Siemens S5 or an early Allen-Bradley SLC 500 platform, the output module may already be operating at reduced reliability. It is common practice to replace the associated digital output module — such as a Siemens 6ES5 output card or an Allen-Bradley 1746-OB16 — during the same planned outage, eliminating a second unplanned shutdown later in the maintenance cycle.

The manifold assembly that hosts the VMS-2110-24 may also carry companion valves from the same VMS Series family — including VMS-2120-24 and VMS-2130-24 units controlling adjacent actuators. If the manifold sub-base shows signs of seal degradation or port corrosion, a full manifold station inspection is warranted. NORGREN VMS Series manifold blocks and end plates are available as separate line items, allowing targeted replacement of damaged stations without scrapping the entire assembly.

On the pneumatic supply side, confirm that the upstream pressure regulator and filter-regulator-lubricator (FRL) unit is delivering clean, dry air at the rated operating pressure. Aging Parker or SMC FRL assemblies installed alongside first-generation VMS manifolds may have degraded filter elements or worn regulator diaphragms that introduce pressure fluctuation — a common cause of erratic valve switching behavior that is misdiagnosed as a solenoid fault. Replacing the FRL unit or at minimum the filter element during the same maintenance window reduces the risk of repeat failures.

For systems that are being partially modernized — for example, migrating from a legacy relay panel to a modern Siemens S7-1200 or Mitsubishi FX5U controller — the VMS-2110-24 remains fully compatible with the new controller’s transistor output modules. No changes to the valve wiring or sub-base are required. The migration effort focuses instead on the I/O mapping, program conversion, and HMI screen updates. If the existing HMI is a legacy Siemens OP7 or Mitsubishi GOT900 panel, the screen associated with the valve’s actuator status may need to be redrawn in the new HMI engineering tool, but the field device itself requires no modification.

Where the control system includes a PROFIBUS DP or DeviceNet pneumatic valve terminal — such as a NORGREN Excelon or Aventics Series 652 fieldbus node — the VMS-2110-24 is typically used in standalone manifold configurations that operate in parallel with the fieldbus island. Signal isolation between the two control zones is maintained through dedicated relay barriers or signal isolators, which should be inspected for contact wear during the same outage.

Programming cable access is another practical consideration. If the legacy PLC requires an MPI programming cable or a serial RS-232 adapter to upload the modified program after I/O remapping, confirm that the engineering laptop has the correct driver and that the cable is on-site before the maintenance window begins. A missing programming interface is one of the most avoidable causes of extended downtime during retrofit work.

Downtime Control During System Migration

Minimizing production interruption during a solenoid valve replacement requires a structured pre-outage checklist and a clear rollback plan. Before the maintenance window opens, the original PLC program should be backed up to an offline storage location — not just the engineering laptop, but a network share or USB drive that remains on-site. If the valve replacement is part of a broader I/O module swap, the program backup must capture the current force table and any active data block values that represent process setpoints.

During the physical replacement, the pneumatic supply to the affected manifold zone should be isolated using the upstream lockout valve, and the actuator downstream of the VMS-2110-24 should be confirmed in its safe position before the solenoid is de-energized. On lines where the actuator controls a clamping or pressing function, a mechanical prop or safety block must be in place before any electrical isolation is performed.

After the new VMS-2110-24 is seated on the sub-base and the DIN connector is secured, a bench-level leak test at operating pressure — typically 4 to 8 bar — should be performed before the actuator is reconnected to the load. The solenoid can be energized using the PLC’s I/O force function or a portable 24 VDC test source to confirm switching action and verify that the valve shifts cleanly without chatter or delayed response.

Once the valve is confirmed functional, the pneumatic supply is restored, the actuator is cycled through its full stroke, and the PLC program is returned to automatic mode. The force table should be cleared and the program run verified against the original cycle time baseline. If cycle time has changed by more than 5%, the upstream pressure or downstream flow control settings should be re-examined before signing off on the repair.

NINERMAS ships all VMS-2110-24 units with a pre-dispatch functional test record. This documentation supports the site’s maintenance log and provides traceability for the 12-month warranty period. Units are packaged to prevent transit damage and are available for express dispatch to minimize the gap between order placement and maintenance window execution.

Retrofit Support FAQ

Q1: Is the NORGREN VMS-2110-24 a direct drop-in replacement for the original VMS-2110-24 installed on my manifold?
Yes. The VMS-2110-24 maintains dimensional, port, and electrical compatibility with the original VMS Series sub-base. No sub-base modification or manifold drilling is required for a like-for-like replacement. Confirm the coil voltage (24 VDC) matches your cabinet supply before installation.

Q2: What wiring checks should I perform before installing the replacement valve?
Inspect the DIN 43650 connector for pin corrosion, cracked housing, or moisture contamination. Measure the output voltage at the PLC output terminal under load to confirm it reaches 24 VDC. Check the cable run for insulation damage, particularly at conduit entry points. Replace the connector if any defect is found — a faulty connector is a common cause of intermittent solenoid faults that are incorrectly attributed to the valve body.

Q3: Can this valve be used with a modern PLC such as a Siemens S7-1200 or Mitsubishi FX5U during a control system upgrade?
Yes. The VMS-2110-24 operates on a standard 24 VDC discrete output signal and is fully compatible with transistor output modules on modern PLC platforms. No protocol adapter or signal converter is required. The valve can remain in service throughout a phased control system migration, allowing the pneumatic circuit to be validated independently of the PLC program conversion work.

Q4: What does the 12-month warranty cover, and how does NINERMAS handle warranty claims?
All VMS-2110-24 units supplied by NINERMAS are covered by a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects from the date of dispatch. If a unit fails within the warranty period under normal operating conditions, NINERMAS will arrange a replacement dispatch after reviewing the fault description and installation conditions. Contact the NINERMAS technical team at sale@ninermas.com with the order reference, installation date, and a brief fault description to initiate a warranty claim. Units that have been subjected to overpressure, incorrect voltage, or contaminated air supply are assessed on a case-by-case basis.