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Quizzes > Science

Hydraulic Symbols Test: Can You Name Them All?

Quick quiz on hydraulic circuit symbols. Instant results and helpful feedback.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Juan Manuel Sanchis MarcoUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing hydraulic pump motor and filter icons on coral background for symbol quiz.

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.

Which symbol represents a hydraulic gear pump in a hydraulic diagram?
A series of vanes in a semi-circle
Two intermeshing gears inside a circle
A triangle pointing at a line within a circle
A rectangle with inlet and outlet arrows
The hydraulic gear pump symbol is depicted as two intermeshing gears within a circle, indicating the gear mechanism. This distinguishes gear pumps from vane or piston pumps in system schematics. Gear pumps are common in hydraulic circuits due to their reliability and simplicity. For more details on pump symbols see .
Which symbol indicates a hydraulic motor in a hydraulic circuit schematic?
A triangle pointing at a line
A circle with diagonal slashes representing vanes
A circle with an internal arrow showing rotation
Two intermeshing gears inside a square
A hydraulic motor is shown as a circle containing an arrow that indicates rotational direction and power conversion. This differentiates it from pump and gear symbols. Motors reverse fluid energy into mechanical rotation, which the arrow highlights. See more at .
What is the symbol for a hydraulic filter in a schematic diagram?
A rectangle with an internal zigzag line
A triangle pointing into a square
A square with diagonal hatch marks
A circle with a mesh pattern
Hydraulic filters are typically shown as a rectangle containing a zigzag or wavy line, representing the filtering element. This symbol helps distinguish filters from other inline components like valves. Filters remove contaminants from fluid to protect system components. For more information see .
Which symbol depicts a hydraulic reservoir or tank?
A three-sided rectangle open at the top
A rectangle with a diagonal line
A closed circle with inlet and outlet
A triangle with an open side
The hydraulic reservoir is shown as a three-sided rectangle with an open top, indicating fluid storage. This openness distinguishes it from other closed components. Reservoirs hold and cool hydraulic fluid between cycles. Additional details available at .
Which symbol represents a hydraulic check (non-return) valve?
A triangular arrow pointing to a line indicating one-way flow
Two arrows pointing in opposite directions
A spring-loaded poppet over a line
A circle with an internal arrow
A check valve is shown as a triangle (arrow) against a line, indicating flow in one direction only. The line represents the valve seat preventing reverse flow. This simple symbol is universally recognized in hydraulic schematics. More on this can be found at .
How is a 4/2 directional control valve symbolized in a hydraulic diagram?
A circle divided into four quadrants
Two adjacent squares each showing flow path arrows for four ports
A single square with four arrow lines
Four squares in a row, each with a port
A 4/2 directional control valve has four ports and two positions, shown as two adjoining squares with arrow configurations. Each square represents one shift position and its flow paths. This distinguishes it from 4/3 valves, which use three squares. For more see .
Which symbol denotes a hydraulic pressure relief valve?
A filter element inside a square
A valve with dual arrows in opposite directions
A spring-loaded poppet with an adjustable arrow and series line to tank
A ball against a seat with no spring
Pressure relief valves are shown as a poppet or spool with a spring symbol and an adjustable arrow, connected to tank. The spring arrow indicates adjustable cracking pressure. This valve protects the system from overpressure by diverting flow to tank. More details at .
What symbol represents a hydraulic sequence valve?
A directional valve with sequence numbering
A check valve with a pilot line and adjustable spring
A pressure relief valve with a second outlet
A flow control valve with a bypass
A sequence valve is essentially a pilot-operated check valve with an adjustable spring, shown by a pilot line leading to the spring chamber. It ensures one actuator completes its stroke before another begins. The pilot line controls the opening pressure for sequencing. Further explanation at .
Which symbol denotes a hydraulic counterbalance valve used for load-holding?
A flow control valve with a check element
A directional valve with counterbalance annotation
A pilot-operated check valve with an adjustable spring and load-sense line
A standard relief valve with a bypass port
Counterbalance valves are pilot-operated check valves with an adjustable spring and load-sense pilot line, providing safe load-holding and controlled lowering. The spring sets the backpressure until pilot pressure overcomes it. They prevent unintended motion under load. Details at .
What symbol indicates a pilot-operated non-return valve in a hydraulic schematic?
A filter symbol with a control line
A directional valve with integrated check
A check valve symbol with a pilot line to an external actuating chamber
A relief valve with a pilot bypass
A pilot-operated non-return valve combines a basic check valve symbol with an additional pilot line leading to an actuating chamber. The pilot signal opens the valve against the check spring when needed. This symbol distinguishes it from a simple check valve. For more, see .
Which symbol represents a variable flow control (throttle) valve?
A spring-loaded poppet in a circular housing
Two intermeshing gears with adjustable gap
A box with a diagonal arrow across a narrowing channel
A triangle pointing to a line with adjustable spring
Variable flow control valves are shown as a narrowing channel inside a box with a diagonal arrow indicating adjustable orifice size. This symbol indicates the throttle can be tuned for flow. It differs from fixed throttles, which lack the adjustable arrow. More information at .
Which symbol denotes a pressure-compensated variable displacement pump?
A basic pump symbol with a diagonal adjustment arrow and a pilot line to a compensator spring
A vane pump symbol with a pressure gauge attached
A pump symbol with dual intermeshing gears and a relief port
A piston pump symbol with an external filter icon
A pressure-compensated variable displacement pump is shown by a standard pump symbol overlaid with a diagonal arrow for displacement adjustment and a pilot line leading to a compensator spring. The pilot line senses system pressure to adjust displacement automatically. This advanced symbol indicates both variable output and pressure regulation. For in-depth coverage see .
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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.

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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