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ME 453 Hydraulics & Pneumatics

Dr.Yesuenyeagbe A.K. Fiagbe

Department of Mechanical Engineering
KNUST, Kumasi

Symbols and Circuit Diagram

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Circuit Diagram
 A hydraulic circuit is a group of components such as pumps,
actuators, control valves, conductors and fittings arranged
to perform useful work.
 Difficult to represent the complex functioning of the
elements using sketches.
 Graphical symbols are used to indicate the elements.
 The symbols only specify the function of the element without
indicating the design of the element.
 Symbols also indicate the actuation method, direction of flow
of air and designation of the ports.

Dos
 The symbol used to represent an individual
element display the following characteristics:
 Function
 Actuation and return actuation methods
 Number of connections
 Number of switching positions
 General operating principle
 Simplified representation of the flow path

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Don’ts
 Symbol does not represent the following
characteristics:
 Size or dimensions of the component
 Particular manufacturer, methods of
construction or costs
 Operation of the ports
 Any physical details of the elements
 Any unions or connections other than junctions

Symbol Types
 Graphic symbols: made up of series of lines and
outlines of standard graphic figures
 Pictorial symbols: made up of line drawing of
exterior shape of component and shows its major
details
 Cutaway symbols: miniature section drawing of
component parts.
 Combination symbols: using graphic, pictorial
and cutaway symbols together.

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Symbol Types

Simple Hydraulic Circuit

 Reservoir
 Pump
 Flexible coupling
 Electric Motor
 Discharge conductor and
connectors
 Relief valve
 Directional Control (four-
way) valve
 Double acting single rod end
cylinder

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General Rules
 Symbols represent component type, function, methods of
operation, and external connections.
 NOT intended to show actual construction of a component.
 If a symbol is not part of a circuit diagram showing a
sequence of operations, it should be shown in the at-rest or
neutral position.
 When two or more symbols are contained in one unit, they
should be drawn in an enclosure of a thin chain line.
 External ports should be shown in the symbol (not
necessarily actual position).

General Rules
 Unless specifically stated in the standard, symbols may be
drawn in any orientation without affecting their meaning.
(increment of 90o are preferred)
 Symbols are not used to indicate quantities such as pressure,
flow rate, or setting of components.
 Letters, when used, are merely labels and do not describe
parameters or values of parameters.

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Circuit Diagrams
 Symbols according to BS2917/ISO 1219
 Each component on the circuit diagram must Identifies the
type of
be numbered Installation
Number component
 Numbering
 Number consist of four parts
 1st – Omitted it only one 2 – 3V5
 2nd – Omitted if only one ( 0 for power pack)
 3rd letter P – Pump; A – Actuator; M – Prime Sequent
Circuit
Mover; S – Sensor; V – Valve; Z or any Number
Number
appropriate letter for any other component
 Pipes are identified with letters; P – Pressure
line; T – Tank or return line; L – Leakage or
drainage lines

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Symbols

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Symbols

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Symbols

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Differences in Symbols

Hydraulic Pump Compressor

Pumps and Motors differ
only by filling in the
direction arrow or
leaving it white.

Supply and Pilot arrows

are also filled in or left
white.

Hydraulically Actuated and

supplied 3/2 Pilot Spring Pneumatically Actuated and
supplied 3/2 Pilot Spring

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Differences in Symbols
Cylinders and other actuators also differ with respect to supply and direction
arrows.

Hydraulic Double Acting Cylinder Pneumatic Double Acting Cylinder

Many symbols do not change, for example the Filter symbol.

Hydraulic Filter Pneumatic Filter

Physical construction is completely different.

Hydraulic filters can be either Suction Strainers (suction side of the pump),
Pressure Filter (pressure side of the pump) or Return Filter (in the return to
tank line). Each filter requires different properties.

Differences in Symbols
Hydraulic valves have a crossover to
Tank.

Pneumatic valves tend to have two

Exhaust outlets to Atmosphere.

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Colour coding
 Colour coding is instituted by the instructor, designer, or engineer and is
according to his or her interpretation, so it might not be consistent in each
case.
 Most training manuals and manufacturers use the following colour code.

 Red: Working fluid flow lines, usually from the pump to a device. This line
is always solid. It can represent plastic tubing as small as 5/32-in.
 Blue: Return lines from valves and other devices for hydraulic circuits.
This line always is solid, and can represent any size pipe or tubing.
: Metered or flow-controlled fluid that is at a reduced speed in
relation to the same line without a restriction. This line could be solid or a
series of long dashes if pilot flow must be metered.
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Colour coding
 Orange: A reduced-pressure line, such as a pilot-pressure line or one
carrying accumulator precharge gas. This line could be a solid after a
reducing valve or a long-dashed line for pilot flow.
 Green: Pump inlet lines (suction lines) or drain lines. These lines
would be solid for the pump inlet and a series of short dashes for drains.
Two types of lines with the same colour are not confusing -- even when in
close proximity to each other.
 Purple or Indigo: These colours usually indicate working fluid
that has been pressure-intensified by area differences or load-induced
conditions. These pressures are usually greater than the setting of the main
relief valve or reducing valve that feeds the circuit.
 Lines without colour are considered non-working or have no flow at the
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