Fluid and Pneumatic Instrumentation

Course Description

ETI2315C – Fluid and Pneumatic Instrumentation is a 3-credit-hour laboratory course within the Engineering Technologies / Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides students with a comprehensive study of fluid power and pneumatic systems as used in industrial automation and process control environments. Topics include the principles of hydraulics and pneumatics, system components, circuit design, instrumentation, and troubleshooting techniques. The C suffix designates a combined lecture/laboratory format, providing both theoretical instruction and hands-on applied skills.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the fundamental laws governing fluid power systems, including Pascal's Law, Bernoulli's Principle, and Boyle's Law, to analyze system behavior.
• Identify, describe, and select major hydraulic and pneumatic system components including pumps, compressors, actuators, valves, cylinders, and reservoirs.
• Read, interpret, and draw fluid power schematic diagrams using ANSI/ISO standard symbols.
• Design and construct basic hydraulic and pneumatic circuits to perform specified industrial functions.
• Use instrumentation tools and devices — including pressure gauges, flow meters, and transducers — to measure and monitor system parameters.
• Perform systematic troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures on fluid power systems to identify and correct faults.
• Demonstrate safe operating procedures and compliance with industry safety standards when working with fluid power equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance procedures on hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including filter replacement, fluid analysis, and leak detection.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on institutional offerings and available equipment, students may also:

• Interface pneumatic systems with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for automated sequence control.
• Analyze electrohydraulic and electropneumatic control circuits and their industrial applications.
• Apply proportional and servo control concepts to fluid power systems.
• Evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability considerations in fluid power system design.
• Demonstrate familiarity with vacuum systems and their instrumentation in industrial settings.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Fluid Power Fundamentals – Physical properties of fluids; pressure, flow, and force relationships; Pascal's Law; Bernoulli's Principle; Boyle's Law and gas laws applicable to pneumatics.
2. Hydraulic System Components – Hydraulic pumps (gear, vane, piston); hydraulic motors; cylinders (single-acting, double-acting); directional, pressure, and flow control valves; reservoirs, accumulators, and filters; seals and fittings.
3. Pneumatic System Components – Air compressors and receivers; air preparation units (FRL: filter, regulator, lubricator); pneumatic actuators and cylinders; directional control valves; mufflers and flow controls; solenoid valves.
4. Fluid Power Schematics – ANSI/ISO standard symbols; reading and interpreting schematic diagrams; drafting basic hydraulic and pneumatic circuit drawings.
5. Instrumentation and Measurement – Pressure gauges and transducers; flow meters (turbine, rotameter, differential pressure); temperature sensors; level sensors; signal types (4–20 mA, 0–10 VDC).
6. Circuit Design and Construction – Design of basic directional, pressure, and flow control circuits; series and parallel circuit configurations; building and testing circuits on laboratory trainers.
7. System Troubleshooting – Systematic fault isolation methodology; common hydraulic faults (cavitation, contamination, internal leakage); common pneumatic faults (leaks, pressure drop, moisture); use of diagnostic instruments.
8. Safety and Regulations – Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures; OSHA standards relevant to fluid power; high-pressure hazard awareness; fluid disposal and environmental compliance.
9. Maintenance Procedures – Scheduled preventive maintenance; fluid sampling and analysis; filter service intervals; cylinder and valve packing replacement; system flushing.

Optional Topics

• Electropneumatic and Electrohydraulic Systems – Integration of solenoid valves, relays, and ladder logic for automated fluid power control.
• PLC Integration – Programming basic PLC sequences to control pneumatic actuators; I/O wiring of solenoid valves and sensor feedback.
• Proportional and Servo Valves – Principles of proportional control; servo valve operation; closed-loop position and force control.
• Vacuum Systems – Vacuum generation and measurement; vacuum cups and grippers; industrial applications in material handling.
• Fluid Power in Process Industries – Applications in chemical, food/beverage, and water treatment processes; sanitary design considerations.
• Energy Efficiency and System Optimization – Variable-speed drives for compressors and pumps; pressure drop analysis; sustainable fluid power design practices.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Industrial Fluid Power (Womack Educational Publications); Fluid Power with Applications by Anthony Esposito (Pearson); Pneumatic Control for Industrial Automation by Peter Rohner.
• Laboratory Equipment: Hydraulic/pneumatic circuit trainer benches (e.g., Festo Didactic, Amatrol); pressure gauges, manometers, and digital transducers; flow meters; compressors and hydraulic power units.
• Software / Simulation: FluidSIM (Festo) for pneumatic and hydraulic circuit simulation; automation studio software for circuit design and analysis.
• Standards References: ANSI/NFPA T2.24.1 (hydraulic fluid power); ISO 1219 (fluid power symbols); OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (Lockout/Tagout).
• Professional Organizations: National Fluid Power Association (NFPA); International Fluid Power Society (IFPS); Fluid Power Educational Foundation (FPEF).

Career Pathways

Completion of ETI2315C prepares students for roles in industrial maintenance, automation, and manufacturing. Common career pathways include:

• Fluid Power Technician – Installation, maintenance, and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment in manufacturing and industrial facilities.
• Industrial Maintenance Technician – Broad maintenance role covering fluid power, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Instrumentation Technician – Calibration, installation, and maintenance of process measurement and control instruments.
• Automation Technician – Integration and support of automated manufacturing systems using pneumatic and hydraulic actuators.
• Process Control Technician – Monitoring and adjustment of fluid-based industrial processes in chemical, food, water, and energy sectors.
• Field Service Engineer / Technician – On-site troubleshooting and repair of fluid power equipment for OEM and service organizations.

This course also articulates into A.S. degrees in Industrial Systems Technology, Engineering Technology, or Mechatronics Technology at Florida colleges, and supports stackable credentials leading to advanced technical certificates.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

Content in this course aligns with industry-recognized credentialing pathways offered by the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS), including:

• Fluid Power Technician Certification – Validates competency in hydraulic and pneumatic systems theory and application.
• Hydraulic Specialist Certification – Advanced credential covering hydraulic circuit design, troubleshooting, and component selection.
• Pneumatic Specialist Certification – Focuses on compressed air systems, pneumatic circuit design, and instrumentation.

Students completing this course with related ETI coursework may also be prepared for the NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) Industrial Technology Maintenance credentials and relevant OSHA 10 / OSHA 30 general industry safety certifications.

Laboratory Safety Requirement

Due to the C (combined lecture/laboratory) designation of this course, students must complete a laboratory safety orientation and sign a safety agreement before participating in any hands-on activities. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses and closed-toe shoes, is required at all times in the lab environment. Lockout/Tagout procedures must be followed during all equipment maintenance exercises.