Introduction

Electro pneumatics is now commonly used in many areas of Industrial low

cost automation. They are also used extensively in production, assembly,
pharmaceutical, chemical and packaging systems. There is a significant change in
controls systems. Relays have increasingly been replaced by the programmable logic
controllers in order to meet the growing demand for more flexible automation.
Electro-pneumatic control consists of electrical control systems operating pneumatic
power systems. In this solenoid valves are used as interface between the electrical and
pneumatic systems. Devices like limit switches and proximity sensors are used as
feedback elements. Electro Pneumatic control integrates pneumatic and electrical
technologies, is more widely used for large applications. In Electro Pneumatics, the
signal medium is the electrical signal either AC or DC source is used. Working
medium is compressed air. Operating voltages from around 12 V to 220 Volts are
often used. The final control valve is activated by solenoid actuation. The resetting of
the valve is either by spring [single Solenoid]or using another solenoid
[Doublesolenoid Valve] More often the valve actuation/reset is achieved by pilot
assisted solenoid actuation to reduce the size and cost of the valve.Control of Electro
Pneumatic system is carried out either using combination of Relays and Contactors or
with the help of Programmable Logic Controllers [PLC]. A Relay is often is used to
convert signal input from sensors and switches to number of output signals [ either
normally closed or normally open] .Signal processing can be easily achieved using
relay and contactor combinations. A Programmable Logic Controller can be
conveniently used to obtain the out puts as per the required logic, time delay and
sequential operation.. Finally the out put signals are supplied to the solenoids
activating the final control valves which controls the movement of various cylinders.
The greatest advantage of electro pneumatics is the integration of various types of
proximity sensors [electrical] and PLC for very effective control. As the signal speed
with electrical signal, can be much higher, cycle time can be reduced and signal can
be conveyed over long distances.

In Electro pneumatic controls, mainly three important steps are involved:

I. Signal input devices -Signal generation such as switches and contactor,

Various types of contact and proximity sensors
 II. Signal Processing Use of combination of Contactors of Relay or using
Programmable Logic Controllers
III. Signal Out puts Out puts obtained after processing are used for activation of
solenoids, indicators or audible alarms.

Objectives
Task I
Upon completing this task, student be able to :

a) Draw a basic electro-pneumatic circuit, install and test run it to move an

actuator.
b) Identify and operate a few types of electro-pneumatic components.
c) Install the serial and parallel electrical circuits for OR/AND functions.

Task II
Upon completing this task, student be able to :
a) Draw, install and test run the memory circuits.
b) Identify and operate a few types of electro-pneumatic components including
relay and its contactors.

Task III
Upon completion this task, student be able to :
a) Draw, install and test run an electro-pneumatic circuits for mutiple cylinders
with
Sequence motion.

Safety and Precaution

The following points should be observed while working with electro-pneumatic systems:
1. Pressurized air lines that become detached can cause accidents. Switch off pressure
immediately.
2. First connect all tubing and secure before switching on the compressed air.
3. Cylinders may advance or retract as soon as the compressed air is switched on.
 4. Do not operate the electrical limit switch manually during fault finding (use a tools
only).
5. Limit switches should be fixed in such a way that they contact the trip cam of the
cylinder only in the determined direction.
6. Do not exceed the permissible working pressure.
7. Use only low voltages of 24 V.
8. Switch off the air and voltage supply before disconnecting the circuit.

Task I
A)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 1(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 1(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder extends.
6. Press switch C and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder retracts.
7. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
8. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.
B)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 2(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 2(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A or B and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder
extends.
6. Piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder would retract automatically when
touching a limit switch.
7. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
8. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
Electric power unit.

C)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 3(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 3(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder extends.
6. The piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder would retract if a sensor detect it end
while switch B is pressed.
7. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
8. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.

Task II

A)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 4(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 4(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder extends.
6. The piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder would retract while switch A is
released.
7. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
8. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.

B)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 5(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 5(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A and verify if the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder extends.
6. The piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder would retracted once a switch B is
pressed
7. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
8. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.

C)
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 6(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 6(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A and switch B to extend the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder.
6. The piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder would retracted if switch C is pressed or
limit switch detect the piston end.
7. A green LED will be on when piston moved to extend.
8. Then, a red LED will be ON when the piston reach the maximum extend position.
9. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
10. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.

Task III
Procedure
1. Connect the pneumatic circuit as shown in Figure 7(a).
2. Connect the electric circuit as shown in Figure 7(b).
3. Validate the pneumatic circuit and electric circuit for any disconnection.
4. Turn the electrical power unit ON.
5. Press switch A to initiate extend of piston A and a green LED would be on.
6. Fully extend of piston A will initiate extend of piston B.
7. If piston B was fully extended, piston A will retract to an initial position.
8. Once piston A was fully retracted, a red LED will be switching ON while piston
B start to retract.
9. Make sure the electric circuit is fulfill the condition of task given.
10. After complete the experiment, turn OFF of the pneumatic power unit and
electric power unit.

Discussion
Task I
( i ) Pneumatic and electrical component symbols
SYMBOL NAME
 Push Button Normally Open

Push Button Normally Closed

Double acting cylinder

Limit Switch

5/2 Way DCV single solenoid spring

return

Relay

( ii ) Design the electro-pneumatic control circuit for the following operations :

A) Press switch A to extends a cylinder piston and press switch C to retracts it.
Figure 1 (a)

Figure 1 (b)

Figure 1 ( c )
B) Press either switch A or B will extend a cylinder piston. Then, it will be
automatically retracted when touching a limit switch.
Figure 2 (a)

Figure 2 ( b )

Figure 2 ( c )
C) Press switch A will extends a cylinder piston. It will be retracted if a sensor detect
it end while switch B is pressed.
Figure 3 ( a )

Figure 3 ( b )

Figure 3 ( c )
Task II
( i ) Pneumatic and electrical component symbols
 SYMBOL NAME

Push Button Normally Open

Push Button Normally Closed

Double acting cylinder

Limit Switch

5/2 Way DCV single solenoid spring

return

Relay

LED

( ii ) Design an electro-pneumatic control circuit for the following operation :

A ) Press switch A to extend a cylinder piston, while it will retract if switch A is released.
Figure 4 ( a )

Figure 4 ( b )

Figure 4 ( c )
B) Press switch A to extend a cylinder piston, and it will be retracted once a switch B
is pressed.
Figure 5 ( a )

Figure 5 ( b )

Figure 5 ( c )
C) Press switched A and B to extend a cylinder piston. The piston will be retracted if
switch C is pressed or limit switch detect the piston end. Once a piston move to
extend, a green LED will be ON. Then, A red LED will be ON when the piston reach
maximum extend position.

Figure 6 ( a )

Figure 6 ( b )
Figure 6 ( c )
Task III
Design an electro-pneumatic control circuits using two pistons for the following opertion :
( i ) Press switch A to initiate extend of piston A and switch on a green LED. Fully extend of
piston A will initiate extend of piston B. Piston A will retract to an initial position if piston B
was fully extended. Once piston A was fully retracted, a red LED will be switching ON while
piston B start to retract.

Figure 7 ( a )

Figure 7 ( b )

Figure 7 ( c )
Conclusion
In conclusion, we learn how to construct accurately and can arrange the component of
pneumatic circuit systematically. Then we can know how to report and explain briefly the
operation of electric pneumatic experiment in group. Especially, we get the new experiences
to build the circuit during the operations. Besides, we also learn to find out the correct
component and equipment for electric pneumatic.
For our recommendation, that are the component and some equipment have been damaged
and mixed with the component which can work. This cases can cause some of the students
have misunderstanding about the electric pneumatic circuit which learn from the lesson.
Component should be separate or arrange systematically so that students will not use these
components to build the circuit. These component must be replaced with the new component
so that students can have enough components to build the circuit.