Pneumatic Schematics
Using Graphic Symbols to
Illustrate Basic Circuit Designs
Pneumatic Components
Regulator
3/2 Solenoid
Valve
Single Acting Pull Type Cylinder
and Speed Valve
Pneumatic Component
Symbols
Regulator
3/2 Solenoid
Valve
Single Acting Pull Type
Cylinder and Speed Valve
The Symbols Can Be Arranged to
Illustrate Complete Circuits
HP Gage
Double Acting
Cylinder
HPA
Storage
Bottle
4/2 Valve
Regulator
LP Gage
Valve Body
Solenoid
5/2 Solenoid Valve
Note: The center port
with the brass One
Touch Fitting is the
supply or pressure
port.
A
B
5/2 Solenoid Valve
Symbol
EA
P
EB
5/3 Solenoid Valve
Used on Double Acting Cylinders
The Solenoid Operates Like a Linear Pneumatic Motor
1.) Wire coil (red) is energized
Solenoid
3.) The valve spool (green)
moves with the iron
A
armature
B
Valve Spool
EB
P
2.) The electromagnetic field,
draws the iron armature (blue)
into the solenoid
EA
Springs return
valve spool to
rest position
5/2 Solenoid Valve
Used on Double Acting Cylinders
The 2 Dark Blocks Represent the
Two Possible Valve Positions
B Pressurized : A Exhausted (rest)
A Pressurized : B Exhausted (energized)
A
B
Solenoid
At Rest
Position
Solenoid
Energized
Position
EA
P
EB
5 Ports, 2 Positions
5/2 Solenoid Valve
Used on Double Acting Cylinders
Actuator Symbol with a
Diagonal Line Indicates
Solenoid Operation
Return Spring Symbol
Indicates the At Rest Position
A
EA
B
P
EB
5 Ports, 2 Positions
5/2 Solenoid Valve
Used on Double Acting Cylinders
The Arrow Symbols
Indicate the Direction of
Gas Flow Through the
Valve
Letters A and B Indicate the
Output Port Connections for
the Pneumatic Actuators
(Cylinders)
A
EA and EB
are Exhaust
Ports. P is the
Gas Supply
Port
EA
B
P
EB
5 Ports, 2 Positions
Hopefully the Hieroglyphics of
Pneumatics are More Understandable
HP Gage
Double Acting
Cylinder
HPA
Storage
Bottle
4/2 Valve
Regulator
LP Gage
Watch the 2 Position Valve and
Double Acting Cylinder
A
B
5/2 Valve
5 Ports
EA
P
2 Positions
EB
Can You Explain the Difference?
A
B
5/3 Valve
5 Ports
3 Positions
EB
P
EA
Pictorial Drawing of a 5/3 Valve and
Double Acting Cylinder
Note: At Rest, Ports A and
B are Exhausted P is
Closed
A
B
EB
P
EA
Mini Pneumatic Circuits
Pressurized Storage Bottle
Regulator
3/2
Valves
Pneumatic Cylinders
with Speed Valves
Pneumatic Schematics
The Best Way to Learn Them,
to Draw Them….Try It.
Is