Measurement and diagnostics

On a hydraulic circuit, a diagnosis without measurement is no more than a hypothesis. A pump written off as tired is often a relief valve out of adjustment, and slow movement blamed on the cylinder frequently comes from internal leakage. Two quantities are enough to settle most cases: pressure and flow.

Plan permanent measuring points in from the design stage. A check-type test point, of the Minimess kind, lets you connect a gauge under pressure without draining or dismantling anything. It screws in as a branch off the lines that matter: pump outlet, directional control valve inlet, each cylinder chamber.

• Choose a gauge whose normal working pressure sits at around two thirds of full scale
• The glycerine fill damps vibration and pump pulsation, essential on mobile plant
• A flow meter fitted with a loading valve lets you measure the real output of a pump under pressure

We make up test hoses with the end connections to suit your test points, and help you decide which measuring points to plan into your circuit.