Hydraulic circuits can be comprised of an infinite combination of cylinders, motors, valves, pumps and other equipment connected via hydraulic pipes and tubes. The complexity of these components are difficult to represent fully, so a family of graphic hydraulic symbols have been developed to represent fluid power components and systems on schematic drawings.
At first glance, a schematic of a hydraulic system can appear overwhelming, but schematic drawings are actually easier than they initially appear. It’s a bit like learning a new language – although this particular language has a comparatively small vocabulary!
Hydraulic symbols are issued and controlled by The International Standards Organization (ISO), standard ISO 1219-1:2012. The symbols do not identify component size or their actual position on the machine, however the symbols do provide vital information relating to the configurations and flow path connections.
Below we have summarised some of the most common symbols you may come across. Our award-winning technical sales engineers will be happy to help should you need any further help and assistance. Please get in touch here or just give us a call: +44 (0)845-644-3640
Hydraulic Symbols
Discover Hydraulic Lines & Basic Symbols
Let’s start with the basics. We explore the symbols and explanations for the different types of hydraulic line as well as some basic components you may encounter when reading or creating a hydraulic circuit diagram.
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Learn About Other Basic Symbols
In this next chapter we have more essential and frequently used symbols that you will often see in a hydraulics diagram – from magnets and springs to switches, coolers and temperature gauges.
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Hydraulic Motor & Pump Symbols
Hydraulic pumps ensure a constant flow of hydraulic fluid in a system. Hydraulic motors serve a different function – they use hydraulic pressure in order to rotate a shaft. This chapter contains common symbols that can be used to represent these vital components.
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Learn About Hydraulic Cylinder Symbols
When people imagine hydraulics systems, they often picture articulated machines, powered by hydraulic cylinders. Like muscles to hydraulic systems, cylinders are extremely common and varied. Here, we cover the most widespread cylinder symbols that you’re likely to encounter.
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Discover Hydraulic Accumulator Symbols
Accumulators store pressurised fluid that can be released into a system to increase the hydraulic pressure. Next up we explore the symbols for the different types of accumulator that you’re likely to encounter.
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Explore Hydraulic Valve Symbols
By opening and closing, valves direct and control the fluid within a hydraulic system. Though this seems simple, there are so many different types of valves that in this section we cover almost 60 different symbols used to represent them!
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Hydraulic Symbols E-Book
Want all your hydraulic symbols in just one place? Download our full hydraulics symbols e-book, containing more than 140 of the most common symbols! This PDF ebook covers basic lines and symbols, pumps and motors, cylinders, accumulators and valves.
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Hydraulic Calculations
Need help with hydraulic calculations? Our experienced technical engineers can assist with the detailed number-crunching for your particular project and application. To get you started we’ve provided a quick summary for your reference.
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Need more help? Our Hydraulics Glossary explains nearly 500 key terms….
Learn the language of hydraulics from ‘Abrasion’ to ‘Working Pressure’ and everything in between!
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The Ultimate Guide to Hydraulic Cylinders
A hydraulic cylinder is the actuator or ‘motor’ side of a hydraulic system. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘muscles’, making light work of lifting, lowering, moving or ‘locking’ heavy loads.
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The Ultimate Guide to Hydraulic Motors
All hydraulic motors convert flow and fluid pressure into rotary motion, so why are there so many different kinds and what factors should affect your choice of hydraulic motor?
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Specifying Hydraulic Hoses
Hydraulic hoses convey hydraulic fluid around the system; they are not minor accessories. Careful consideration must always be given to their specification and installation… a hose burst failure is always a catastrophic incident.
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