Electro – Pneumatics

ELECTRO - PNEUMATICS

The “electro-pneumatic” term is defined from

words of electro, which mean electrical and
pneumatic, which mean air pressure. The
electro-pneumatic system is an integration of
electrical and mechanical components with
compressed air source.
COMPONENTS

Electro-pneumatic controllers have a pneumatic

power section. In an electro-pneumatic control, the
signal control section is made up of electrical
components, for example, the proximity switches,
and the relays. The directional control valve
behaves as an intermediary between the electrical
signal control section and the pneumatic power
section in the controller.
PNEUMATIC CIRCUIT

Pneumatic cylinder

CONTROL CIRCUIT

Compressed air

Directional valve
SWITCH
Switch is an electrical component which can make or
break electrical circuit automatically or manually. Switch is
mainly works with ON (open) and OFF (closed)
mechanism. There are three (3) types of electrical
switches used in the design of electro-pneumatic circuit.
They are:

1. Normally-opened (NO) contact switch

2. Normally-closed (NC) contact switch
3. Changeover contact switch
COMMONLY USED SWITCHES IN ELECTRO-
PNEUMATIC CONTROL CIRCUITS
Push button switches
COMMONLY USED SWITCHES IN ELECTRO-
PNEUMATIC CONTROL CIRCUITS
Reed Switch
COMMONLY USED SWITCHES IN ELECTRO-
PNEUMATIC CONTROL CIRCUITS
Limit Switch
COMMONLY USED SWITCHES IN ELECTRO-
PNEUMATIC CONTROL CIRCUITS
Timer Switch
RELAY
Relay is an electrical
device that contains a coil
and one or more contact
switches.
Parts of a Relay
a) Coil – this is where the rated voltage is supplied
b) Auxiliary Contacts – normally open and normally closed contacts
How do relays work?
 PNEUMATIC CYLINDERS
• Single-acting cylinders (SAC) use the pressure imparted by
compressed air to create in one direction and a spring to return
to the initial position.
Single acting cylinder

The piston rod

compressed a
the piston retur
cylinder contain
proximity switch

Adjustable pa

Max. stroke:

Piston positio

Piston diame

Piston rod dia

Mounting ang
Single Acting Cylinder
 PNEUMATIC CYLINDERS
• Double-acting cylinders (DAC) use the forces of air to move in both
extend and retract strokes. They have two ports to allow air in, one to
extend and one to retract. Once extended the piston will remain
extended until manually, electrically or pneumatically retracted or vice
versa.

Double acting cylinder

The pisto
compres
is adjusta
permane

Adjustab

Max. str

Piston p

Piston d
SOLENOID VALVE
Solenoid valve is an electro-mechanical device that is
built-in with a coil (solenoid) and a
pneumatic/hydraulic directional control valve (DCV).
Outer components of a solenoid valve

Service port (outlet)

Solenoid coils

Inlet port
 Inner components of a solenoid valve

Spring

Solenoid coil winding Plunger

3/2 WAY SOLENOID VALVE
Used to control the direction of a single acting cylinder

Y1
1 3
 3/2-way valves
Service port: to SAC

Number of position

Number of ports Manual

Button 2
Spring Return

1 3
Solenoid coil

Inlet port: to compressor

Exhaust port
5/2 way solenoid valve
– use to control the position
of a double acting cylinder

2 types:
a) Single coil / spring return
b) Double coil
Single solenoid 5/2 way valves and DAC

Double Acting Cylinder

5/2 way single solenoid

Double solenoid 5/2 way valve and DAC

5/2 way double solenoid

 5/2 way solenoid valve
Two position
Service port (to DAC)
Number of ports

4 2
4 2

5 3
5 3
1
1

Solenoid coil Solenoid coil Solenoid coil

Inlet port Inlet port

Exhaust port
PROXIMITY SENSORS
• Reed Switches
• The reed switch is an electrical switch operated by an
applied magnetic field.

• Limit Switches
• Mechanical limit switches are contact sensing devices
widely used for detecting the presence or position of
objects in industrial applications.
Limit Switches
LS for extend position

LS for retracted position

 Reed Switches

RS for retracted position

RS for extended position
POSITION OF PROXIMITY SENSORS
Reed switch Limit switch
Reed Switches

Open
Close
TIMER RELAYS

A relay that provides time delay before switching

contacts

Components
- Coil
- Auxiliary contacts

2 types
- On delay
- Off delay
A ladder diagram is a type of schematic diagram used in industrial
automation that represents logic control circuits. The control logic in
a ladder diagram is contained within the rungs.
SEQUENTIAL OPERATION:
For Sequential operation, take note the actuation of each cylinder, when
each of them will extend or retract. Knowing this information is crucial
especially in manufacturing industry where pneumatic cylinders are widely
used. For example a sequence operation of A+ B+ B- A- C+ C-, the plus sign
”+” indicates the extension of the piston while the minus sign “-” indicates the
retraction. A displacement or step diagram can also be created to visually
understand the sequence such as shown below: