Science & STEM

Hydraulic Symbols Test: Can You Name Them All?

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Use this hydraulic symbols test to practice reading schematics and identify pumps, motors, filters, and directional control valves. You will get instant answers and see which icons you miss, so you can study smarter. For more diagram practice, try our electrical symbols test, or review mechanics with the simple machines quiz.

Paper art illustration showing hydraulic pump motor and filter icons on coral background for symbol quiz.
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1Which symbol represents a hydraulic gear pump in a hydraulic diagram?
2Which symbol indicates a hydraulic motor in a hydraulic circuit schematic?
3What is the symbol for a hydraulic filter in a schematic diagram?
4Which symbol depicts a hydraulic reservoir or tank?
5Which symbol represents a hydraulic check (non-return) valve?
6How is a 4/2 directional control valve symbolized in a hydraulic diagram?
7Which symbol denotes a hydraulic pressure relief valve?
8What symbol represents a hydraulic sequence valve?
9Which symbol denotes a hydraulic counterbalance valve used for load-holding?
10What symbol indicates a pilot-operated non-return valve in a hydraulic schematic?
11Which symbol represents a variable flow control (throttle) valve?
12Which symbol denotes a pressure-compensated variable displacement pump?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Common Hydraulic Scheme Symbols -

    Learn to recognize standard hydraulic scheme symbols, including hydraulic pump symbol, hydraulic motor symbol, and filter icons, on schematic diagrams.

  2. Differentiate Hyd Schematic Symbols -

    Distinguish between various hyd schematic symbols by analyzing their shapes, flow directions, and functional cues.

  3. Interpret Hydraulic Pump and Motor Symbols -

    Apply your knowledge to accurately interpret hydraulic pump symbols and hydraulic motor symbols within complex circuit layouts.

  4. Analyze Complete Hydraulic Circuits -

    Break down full hydraulics symbols diagrams to understand how each component interacts in a working hydraulic system.

  5. Recall Industry-Standard Conventions -

    Memorize key hydraulics symbols conventions to enhance your speed and precision when reading or designing hydraulic schematics.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Hydraulic Pump Symbol Recognition -

    The hydraulic pump symbol is typically shown as a circle with a solid or hollow triangle indicating flow direction (ISO 1219 standard). Remember "Pump Pushing Power" by picturing the triangle pointing away from the circle as fluid is pushed out. Practicing with sample schematics on engineeringtoolbox.com can help you spot this icon instantly.

  2. Hydraulic Motor Symbol Recognition -

    Hydraulic motors mirror pump symbols - a circle with a triangle pointing into it denotes fluid driving the motor (ISO 1219). A handy mnemonic is "Motor Means Inflow," recalling that the triangle points inward. Check case studies from SAE International to see real-world motor - pump swaps.

  3. Filter Symbol Identification -

    Filters are shown as a square or rectangle with a zigzag line inside, representing element pleats (per NFPA Standards). Use "Zig for Clean" to remember that the zigzag catches contaminants. You can test yourself by drawing common filter layouts from hyd schematic symbols cheat sheets at MIT's hydraulics lab pages.

  4. Directional Control Valve Symbols -

    Directional control valves appear as adjacent squares with arrows showing flow paths and springs or actuators on the sides (ISO 1219). A quick tip: "TALC" helps recall T-ports, A-ports, L-case drains, and C-connections. Reviewing valve configurations in Parker Hannifin's technical guide reinforces how spool shifts affect circuit behavior.

  5. Pressure Relief Valve Symbol -

    This symbol combines a spring-loaded arrow and a pilot line, indicating overpressure protection (per Eaton's manuals). The phrase "Spring Springs Back" reminds you that the spring closes the valve until a set pressure is reached. University of Wisconsin - Madison's fluid power coursework offers practice problems to master relief valve placement.

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Michael HodgeEdTech Product Lead & Assessment Design SpecialistQuiz Maker
Updated Feb 23, 2026