Heat in electronic and fluidic control systems such as those seen in analytical, scientific and medical instruments will in many cases be an unwanted by-product of the excessive power required to initially operate electro-magnetic devices such as solenoid valves and electro-mechanical devices. Although the initial power is unavoidable, the need to maintain full power when the device has been energised becomes excess to the requirement in many instances. Gary Stevens at NResearch explains that in the majority of cases, it is possible to reduce the power to a level that maintains the required function but reduces the excessive currents being drawn.