{"id":2757,"date":"2024-03-07T16:03:17","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T15:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/encyclopedia\/directional-control-valve\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T11:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T09:52:34","slug":"directional-control-valve","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valve\/","title":{"rendered":"Directional control valve"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2757\" class=\"elementor elementor-2757 elementor-1021\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-735b55f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"735b55f8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2820cb8b\" data-id=\"2820cb8b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fb9997 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fb9997\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Directional control valve &ndash; intelligent control of flow rates<\/h1><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valve &ndash; intelligent control of flow ratesA directional control valve is a hydraulic component that can precisely control a flow rate. The term refers to a group of&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valve<\/a> is a hydraulic component that can precisely control a flow rate. The term refers to a group of valves that perform different functions. In combination, the various types of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a> make it possible to build logic circuits.  <\/p><h2>A directional control valve can perform the following functions:<\/h2><ul><li>Blocking<\/li><li>Diverting<\/li><li>Returning<\/li><li>Controlling pressure<\/li><li>Influencing flow rate.<\/li><\/ul><p>To achieve a logic circuit, several valves are connected in series. In some cases, combination valves are also used, which can perform multiple functions. These are particularly advantageous where installation space is limited. However, they also cost more than single-function <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a>.   <\/p><h3>The shut-off valve as a directional control valve<\/h3><p>Shut-off valves block a flow rate. Any actuator located downstream of the valve is thereby shut down. Shut-off valves have a short response time and therefore perform their function abruptly. This distinguishes them, for example, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/throttle-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Throttle ValveBy reducing the pipe cross-section, a throttle creates a local flow resistance that the flowing fluid must overcome. Before the constriction, the flowing medium builds up, so that the&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">throttle valve<\/a>s.   <\/p><h3>The directional valve as a directional control valve<\/h3><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/wegeventil.html\">directional valve<\/a> diverts a flow rate in another direction. This diversion serves to switch one actuator on and another off. Two-way valves are the most common. However, directional valves with a wider range of actuation are also available. Directional valves can also be used to return a flow rate.    <\/p><h3>The pressure valve as a directional control valve<\/h3><p>Although a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/druckregelventil.html\">pressure valve<\/a> does not &ldquo;switch&rdquo; in the strict sense&mdash;i.e., it does not abruptly change the operating state&mdash;it is still one of the logic elements of a hydraulic control system. With these valves, the pressure of the flow is converted. As a rule, this means reducing the pressure by means of a throttle. However, other designs are also available. Increasing pressure without an intermediate pump, however, always comes at the expense of the flow rate&rsquo;s speed.    <\/p><h3>The flow control valve as a directional control valve<\/h3><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/stromregeler.html\">Flow control valves<\/a> regulate the speed in a hydraulic line, not the pressure. They can, for example, control the extension speed of a linear motor without reducing its force. <\/p><h3>Actuation of directional control valves<\/h3><p>The simplest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a> are operated manually. The best-known of this type is the ball valve with lever. These are used to manually switch a hydraulic circuit on and off. Ball valves are manual additions when the shut-off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-couplings\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic Couplings - Flexible Handling of Hydraulic SystemsHydraulic couplings are connecting elements between hoses, or between hoses and fixed connections. In addition to a reliable and secure fit, hydraulic hose&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic couplings<\/a> is not sufficient to connect hydraulic circuits to one another. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">Hydraulic system<\/a>s with high control requirements are now controlled electrically, pneumatically, or electro-hydraulically. For this purpose, each <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valve\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valve &ndash; intelligent control of flow ratesA directional control valve is a hydraulic component that can precisely control a flow rate. The term refers to a group of&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valve<\/a> has an additional control unit that actuates the valve when required.     <\/p><p>Electric valves operate with small electromagnetic linear actuators. Pneumatically operated control units for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a> work similarly. With electro-hydraulically operated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a>, an upstream valve&mdash;similar to a relay in an electrical circuit&mdash;actuates the actual valve in the hydraulic circuit. This type of control is often found, for example, in the control levers of construction machinery.   <\/p><h3>Maintenance of directional control valves<\/h3><p>One disadvantage of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/directional-control-valves\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Directional control valvesThe basic function of directional control valves is to change the flow direction of the working medium, release the working medium, or block the working medium in a&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">directional control valves<\/a> is that they are often installed deep within a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/hydraulic-system\/\" target=\"_self\" title=\"Hydraulic system: design &amp; applications explained simplyA hydraulic system is used to apply large forces in a targeted manner over a defined distance with minimal effort. The underlying hydraulic principle&hellip;\" class=\"encyclopedia\">hydraulic system<\/a>. Nevertheless, it is very important to comply with the specified maintenance intervals and to inspect the valve for proper function and leak-tightness. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17578f6\" data-id=\"17578f6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18d5d30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-sidebar\" data-id=\"18d5d30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"sidebar.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:none;\">Search<\/div><form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" class=\"encyclopedia search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/encyclopedia\/\">\n    \n    \n    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"encyclopedia-search-term\">Search<\/label>\n    <input type=\"text\" id=\"encyclopedia-search-term\" name=\"s\" class=\"search-field\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Search&hellip;\">\n    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"search-submit submit button\" id=\"encyclopedia-search-submit\">Search<\/button>\n<\/form>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/hydraulik-lexikon\/\" style=\"border-radius:0px;background-color:#005b9a\">Back to overview<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-99eb194 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"99eb194\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings='{\"stretch_section\":\"section-stretched\"}'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6df5c98\" data-id=\"6df5c98\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e10e6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2e10e6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"2947\" class=\"elementor elementor-2947 elementor-223 elementor-223\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c017d14 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched bgKnowHowCaller elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c017d14\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings='{\"stretch_section\":\"section-stretched\"}'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-35f2767\" data-id=\"35f2767\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-deaeec8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"deaeec8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Questions, requests, placing an order?<\/h4><p>&raquo; You can submit an enquiry directly here!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a72297 contatcSectionEnd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a72297\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-273fb42\" data-id=\"273fb42\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f43633 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"2f43633\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f2946-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"2946\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2757#wpcf7-f2946-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init wpcf7-acceptance-as-validation\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<div style=\"display: none;\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"2946\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.0.6\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f2946-o1\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formname\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Last Name*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formname\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required form-control\" id=\"formname\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formname\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formvorname\" class=\"inlineInputs\">First Name*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formvorname\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required form-control\" id=\"formvorname\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formvorname\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formemail\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Email*:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formemail\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email form-control\" id=\"formemail\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"formemail\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-2\">\n\t\t<p><label for=\"formtelefon\" class=\"inlineInputs\">Phone:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"col-md-4\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"formtelefon\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text form-control\" id=\"formtelefon\" aria-invalid=\"false\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"formtelefon\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"mitteilung\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"10\" maxlength=\"2000\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"mitteilung\">Your message to us ...<\/textarea><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row mt-2 mb-3\">\n\t<div class=\"col-12\">\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"newsletter\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-checkbox\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item first last\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"newsletter[]\" value=\"I would like to subscribe to the newsletter.\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">I would like to subscribe to the newsletter.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"datenschutz\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-acceptance\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"datenschutz\" value=\"1\" aria-invalid=\"false\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">Yes, I have read the <a href=\"\/datenschutzerklaerung\/\" target=\"_blank\">privacy policy<\/a> and agree that the data I have provided may be collected and stored electronically. My data will be used strictly for the purpose of processing and responding to my inquiry. By submitting the contact form, I agree to this processing.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<p class=\"aiowps-captcha hide-when-displaying-tfa-input\"><label for=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\">Please enter an answer in digits:<\/label>\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"aiowps-captcha-equation hide-when-displaying-tfa-input\">\n\t\t\t<p><strong>1 &times; 3 = <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-string-info\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-string-info\" value=\"uzp63mv782\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-temp-string\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-temp-string\" value=\"1776932230\"><input type=\"text\" size=\"2\" class=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\" name=\"aiowps-captcha-answer\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"off\"><\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<p><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"aiowps-captcha\"><\/span><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Send inquiry\">\n\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"author":1,"template":"elementor_header_footer","encyclopedia-tag":[],"class_list":["post-2757","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2757","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encyclopedia"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2759,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/2757\/revisions\/2759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encyclopedia-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bf-hydraulik.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia-tag?post=2757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}