Module-01 : INTRODUCTION TO HYDRAULIC AND PNEUMATIC

SYSTEMS

Lecture- 2 : Basic components, symbols & circuits

Introduction
A fluid power system consists of a source of fluid flow and power supply, flow conduits
with connectors, control units and actuator. Depending on the functional requirement,
accuracy in control, environment, safety etc. the various components are added to a basic
system. Like electrical and logic systems symbols, presenting various devices and units,
are also used in fluid (hydraulic and pneumatic) power systems. In this section a set of
symbols are presented with their generic name. Such symbols are standardized and
framed by the engineering standard organizations of different countries may have some
differences in feature. Now a days ISO standard are followed in general. However, the
symbols presented here may not exactly match with the ISO standard. These are
presented for the basic purpose of learning the symbols and how they are used in fluid
power circuit. The constructional feature will be more understandable when the actual
devices will be studied in detail.
A basic circuit is presented as shown in Fig. 1.2-1.

Fig.- 1.2-1

Symbols
Symbols used in hydraulic (Fluid Power) system design are as follows. Few basic
symbols and their construction analogies are presented in this chapter. More detail
symbols are in the appendices.
The fluid power symbols were developed gradually more or less as follows:
a) Initially by Joint Industry Conference (J.I.C.) USA in 1948.
b) Later the American Standards Association (ASA) adopted it.
c) European oil Hydraulic and Pneumatic committee (CETTOP) revised further
these symbols more universally and eliminated most of the English Symbols
(in mid sixties).
d) Much later ISO has revised the symbols for International use.

Symbolic representation of Hydraulic valves- Examples

Example- 1: Development of symbolic representation of Directional or Direction Control (DC)
Valve.

DC or dc valves are used to direct the flow from a source to a system consisting of
actuators and other valves and devices. It would have at least of two positions like an
electrical on-off switch. However, depending on the operational requirements and system
it may be of three or higher positions too. Fig. 1.2-2 (a) shows the symbol for three
positions. Fig. 1.2-2 (b) shows the operating features in symbol for three positions.
The left one indicates two crosswise connection of from port to port. The middle one
shows straight connections of ports and the right one shows four ports all are blocked at
the centre. With these three icons symbolic presentation of a valve is constructed which is
shown in Fig. 1.2-2 (c) . It is called as 4/3 DC valve. It means Four port three
position Direction Control Valve. In the middle four ports are named as P- the pressure
or flow inlet port, T the port through which oil returns to the tank / reservoir or outlet
port, and A & B are the two in-out ports which are connected to the inlet and outlet ports
of a system or an actuator. The middle one shows the status in neutral position in this
case totally closed. Functionally it is called Close Centre. Left position means P to B
and A to T port connections where as right position means P to A and B to T port
connections. These three positions are achieved by moving the valve spool by a lever (or
the spool directly) by manually, electrically or hydraulically operated or by similar
devices. These methods of spool shifts are also symbolized (see appendices of this
section) and used in some detail circuit drawings. Such a valve may be spring centered
for automatic return to neutral (middle) position and indicted in symbol adding two
springs at two sides.

Similarly all ports may be inter connect at neutral position which is called Open Centre
valve (Fig. - 1.2-2 (d)). Also, not all but some ports are inter connected, specially P to T
at neutral which is called Tandem Centre valve ( see appendices Ap-M1-L2-1, Ap-M1L2-2 and also M).

(a)
(a)

3-position valve symbol. Center box would show flow condition at

rest i.e. Neutral position. a and b boxes would show two different
valve-actuator connection conditions.

Icons for constructing 3-position valve symbol.

(First two indicates flow paths through the valve at two extreme
positions of spool. Third one defines ports status at middle neutral
position of the spool. In this case all ports are closed at neutral
position which is called close centre)

4/3 Directional Valve (Close Centre)

(P is systems flow source or pressure port i.e. connected to pump.
T is flow outlet port - to the tank or sump. A and B ports for flow
out and in to and from the two

Additional icons for spools mid position.

(First indicates that one port is close whether other three are interconnected. Second one- all four ports are inter-connected. Third
one left input-output ports are closed but right input-output ports
are connected.)

(b)

(c)

(d)
(d)

Fig.- 1.2-2 : Development of symbol for hydraulic 4/3 DC valve

Such symbols are standardized. ISO standard are followed mostly now a days. Symbols
for some of the valves are shown below with their generic names. The symbols are
mostly self explanatory. A more detail discussion will be available in the section for
valve.
Example- 2 : Development of symbolic representation of hydraulic Pumps and
Motors (Rotary Actuators)
Actuators may be rotary namely pump and motor or may be linear (piston and cylinder).
Rotary actuators, i.e. pumps and motors are symbolized as follows (Fig.- 1.2-3):

Pump

Motor

Constant flow
Single outlet.
Constant flow
Double outlet.
Variable flow
Single outlet.
Variable flow
Double outlet.

Fig.- 1.2-3 : Pumps and Motors (Rotary Actuators) Symbols

More detail symbols are in appendix Ap-M1-L2-3. Those are self explanatory. It is to be
noted that many standard and authenticated software packages are available today where
not only the ISO standard symbols are available but also those can be used for building a
desired hydraulic circuit.

Bibliography:
1. Fluid Power with Micro-Processor Control- an Introduction. E. W. Reed and I. S.
Larman, Prentice Hall International (ISBN 0-13-322470-8).