Electro-Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Course Description

This course provides a combined lecture and laboratory study of the theory, design, operation, and troubleshooting of electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic systems. Students examine fluid power principles, system components, ISO/ANSI graphic symbols, and circuit applications from both a systems-development and a troubleshooting context. Special emphasis is placed on the integration of electrical control devices — including solenoid valves, relays, and sensors — with hydraulic and pneumatic power circuits, as well as the use of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in automated manufacturing environments. Hands-on laboratory exercises use industry-standard trainers and simulation software to reinforce lecture content.

This is a combined lecture/laboratory course (indicated by the C suffix in the SCNS course number) under the Engineering Technologies taxonomy — Specialty Engineering Technology.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

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

• Identify, describe, and apply the fundamental principles of fluid power including Pascal's Law, Boyle's Law, flow, pressure, and force relationships in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Interpret and draw ISO/ANSI hydraulic and pneumatic schematic symbols and read system flow diagrams for industrial applications.
• Identify, select, and explain the function of key hydraulic and pneumatic components — including pumps, compressors, actuators (linear and rotary cylinders), directional control valves, pressure control valves, flow control valves, and FRL (filter-regulator-lubricator) units.
• Describe the operation and application of electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic control components, including solenoid valves, electromagnetic relays, limit switches, proximity sensors, reed switches, pressure switches, and time-delay relays.
• Design, assemble, and test basic hydraulic and pneumatic circuits using laboratory trainers, applying knowledge of directional, pressure, and flow control.
• Construct and analyze relay-based electrical control circuits — including ladder diagrams, latching circuits, memory circuits, sequencing circuits, and timer/counter circuits — for fluid power applications.
• Apply troubleshooting methodologies to identify and correct faults in hydraulic and pneumatic circuits and components.
• Follow industry-standard safety practices and preventive maintenance procedures applicable to fluid power systems.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on institutional resources and course emphasis, students may also:

• Program and apply a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) to control pneumatic or hydraulic systems, including ladder logic programming with NO/NC contacts, coils, timers, and counters.
• Develop multi-actuator sequential control circuits using cascade or shift-register methods.
• Analyze proportional and servo valve technology in electro-hydraulic systems, including open-loop position control and acceleration/deceleration control.
• Evaluate hydraulic fluid characteristics including viscosity, contamination control, fluid cleanliness standards, and filter performance ratings.
• Integrate computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) techniques with hydraulic and pneumatic system design and operation.
• Use circuit simulation software to model, modify, and test fluid power and electro-fluid power circuit designs.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Fluid Power Fundamentals
   • Properties of liquids and gases; Pascal's Law; Boyle's Law
   • Pressure, flow rate, force, and velocity calculations
   • Comparison of hydraulic vs. pneumatic systems; selection criteria
   • Safety rules and industry standards (OSHA, NFPA)
2. Hydraulic System Components
   • Hydraulic power units: reservoirs, pumps (gear, vane, piston), strainers, and filters
   • Hydraulic actuators: single- and double-acting cylinders, hydraulic motors
   • Directional control valves (2-way, 3-way, 4-way; spool and poppet type)
   • Pressure control valves: relief, reducing, sequence, counterbalance, and unloading valves
   • Flow control valves: fixed, variable, and pressure-compensated
   • Hydraulic fluids: types, properties, viscosity, and contamination
3. Pneumatic System Components
   • Compressed air generation: compressor types, air treatment (FRL units — filters, regulators, lubricators)
   • Pneumatic actuators: single- and double-acting cylinders, rodless cylinders, rotary actuators
   • Directional control valves: 3/2-way, 4/2-way, 5/2-way, and 5/3-way valves
   • Pneumatic pressure and flow control valves; quick-exhaust valves
   • Air distribution systems and piping layouts
4. Schematic Symbols and Circuit Diagrams
   • ISO 1219 / ANSI Y32.10 graphic symbols for hydraulic and pneumatic components
   • Reading and interpreting system flow diagrams and circuit schematics
   • Drawing circuits for specified functional requirements
5. Electro-Hydraulic and Electro-Pneumatic Control
   • Solenoid valve operation: single- and double-solenoid directional control valves
   • Electrical control devices: push-button stations, selector switches, limit switches, reed switches, proximity sensors, pressure switches
   • Electromagnetic relays and contactors; relay logic (ladder diagrams)
   • Latching and memory circuits; interlock circuits
   • Timer control circuits (on-delay, off-delay); counter circuits
   • Sequencing control circuits for single- and multi-actuator systems
6. Circuit Design and Laboratory Applications
   • Building and testing hydraulic circuits: pump unloading, regenerative, accumulator, and cylinder synchronization circuits
   • Building and testing pneumatic circuits: speed control, pressure control, and sequencing circuits
   • Assembling and testing electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic relay control circuits on industrial trainers
7. Troubleshooting and Maintenance
   • Systematic fault-finding methodology for hydraulic and pneumatic systems
   • Common failure modes: leakage, contamination, excessive heat/pressure, cavitation
   • Preventive maintenance schedules and procedures; seal and fitting replacement
   • Interpreting system performance data and gauge readings

Optional Topics

• PLC Control of Fluid Power Systems — PLC hardware/software overview; ladder logic programming (contacts, coils, timers, counters, set/reset instructions); PLC-controlled pneumatic and hydraulic circuit applications
• Multi-Actuator Sequential Circuits — Cascade method; shift-register method; motion-and-control diagrams; signal elimination
• Proportional and Servo Valve Technology — Proportional directional control valves; servo control valve operation; open-loop and closed-loop position control; PID controller introduction
• Hydraulic Fluid Analysis and Filtration — Contamination sources and effects; Beta ratio and filter efficiency; cleanliness level targets (ISO 4406)
• Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Integration — Role of hydraulics and pneumatics in automated production cells; interface with SCADA and industrial automation systems
• Mobile Hydraulics — Load-sensing circuits; open-center vs. closed-center systems; hydrostatic transmission (HST) circuits

Resources & Tools

• Textbook: Hydraulics and Pneumatics by Andrew Parr (Butterworth-Heinemann) or Industrial Hydraulics Manual (Eaton/Vickers) — commonly used across Florida engineering technology programs
• Laboratory Equipment: Amatrol Basic Fluid Power Learning System (850-C1 or equivalent), Electro-Hydraulics trainer, Electro-Pneumatics trainer (85-EP or equivalent); industrial-grade solenoid valves, relay panels, and sensor modules
• Simulation Software: FluidSIM (Festo Didactic) or equivalent pneumatic/hydraulic circuit simulation software; PLC programming software (e.g., RSLogix/Studio 5000, TIA Portal, or CX-Programmer)
• Standards References: NFPA (National Fluid Power Association) standards; ISO 1219 graphic symbols; OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (machine guarding and lockout/tagout)
• Florida College Resources: Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) library databases; OpenStax Engineering Technology supplementary materials

Career Pathways

Completion of ETS2700C prepares students for technical roles in industries that depend on fluid power automation. Related occupational areas include:

• Industrial Machinery Mechanic / Maintenance Technician — Installation, repair, and maintenance of hydraulic and pneumatic systems in manufacturing plants
• Fluid Power Technician — Design support and troubleshooting of hydraulic/pneumatic systems in aerospace, automotive, and heavy equipment sectors
• Mechatronics Technician — Integration of fluid power with electrical and PLC control in automated production environments
• Manufacturing / Production Technician — Operations support in plastics manufacturing, packaging, food processing, and general manufacturing
• Construction Equipment Technician — Maintenance of mobile hydraulic systems on construction and agricultural machinery
• Engineering Technology A.S. Degree Pathway — This course articulates into Engineering Technology (Advanced Manufacturing) A.S. degree programs at Florida colleges such as FSCJ, CF, and South Florida State College

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course provides foundational knowledge relevant to industry-recognized credentials in fluid power:

• NFPA Fluid Power Certification — The National Fluid Power Association offers Hydraulic Specialist and Pneumatic Specialist certifications. ETS2700C content aligns with the body of knowledge tested in these exams.
• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) — The Manufacturing Skill Standards Council CPT credential covers maintenance awareness competencies directly supported by this course.
• OSHA 10/30 General Industry — Safety topics covered in the course (lockout/tagout, pressure hazards, PPE) support preparation for OSHA 10-hour General Industry certification.

Laboratory Safety Requirements

Students must complete a laboratory safety orientation before participating in hands-on activities. Proper PPE (safety glasses, closed-toe shoes) is required at all times in the lab. All work on pressurized systems must follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147.

Program Context

ETS2700C is a sophomore-level (second digit = 7) combined lecture/laboratory course (C suffix) in the Specialty Engineering Technology discipline. It is commonly offered as a component of the Pneumatics, Hydraulics and Motors for Manufacturing College Credit Certificate and Technical Certificate programs at multiple Florida colleges, and articulates into Engineering Technology A.S. degree programs statewide.