International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT)
Credential: Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT)
Credentialing Agency: International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The International Fluid Power Society (IFPS), Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT) certification is for professionals in the fluid power and motion control industry who test, troubleshoot, modify systems, and prepare reports. Applying fluid power theory and related knowledge, IHTs test and troubleshoot operational industrial hydraulic systems and applications. In addition, IHTs read industrial application schematics, perform basic cylinder and hydraulic motor calculations, and supervise system installations and commissioning. Candidates must pass a written and a job performance exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT)
Attainability: 
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.
To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Renewal Period: 5 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
1930 East Marlton Pike, Suite A2
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Phone: (800) 308-6005
Fax: (856) 424-9248
Email: Askus@ifps.org
The Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT) credential has the following other requirements:
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Candidate must agree to adhere to the International Fluid Power Society Code of Ethics.
The job performance assessment consists of the following six stations:
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Hydraulic Symbols
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Identifies pressure source graphic symbols
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Identifies hydraulic graphic symbols that describe flow lines and connections
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Identifies directional control valve symbols
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Associates directional valve center position with actuator control
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Identifies hydraulic pressure control valves from detailed symbols
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Associates simplified flow control valve symbols with component function
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Identifies flow control valves from both simplified and detailed symbols
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Associates detailed flow control symbols with component function
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Identifies symbols for hydraulic pumps and motors
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Statics
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Understands the relationship between height of a liquid and the gauge pressure reading in psi
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Understands the relationship between height of a liquid and gauge pressure reading in inches of mercury (in-Hg)
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Understands that hydraulic pressure results from load resistance
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Uses cylinder bores and rod diameters to figure static pressures
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Relates resistive and overrunning loads to static pressures in cylinders
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Understands that cylinder movement is caused by sufficent ressure against a movable area
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Components
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Determines hydraulic flow capacity from conductor sizes
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Calculates speeds and forces associated with single rod cylinders
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Understands how hdraulic flow rate and cylinder rod velocity are used to determine volumetric effciency
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Distringuishes between operation of a pressure relief, pressure reducing, unloading, sequence, counterbalance, and brake valves
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Understands that load holding valves are required on truck mounted aerial lift cylinders
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Understands the characteristics of hydraulic pressure relief valve and unloading relief valve circuits
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Understands that hydraulic pressure compensated flow control valves maintain constant actuator speed regardless of load
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Understands that hydraulic pressure compensated flow control valves maintain constant pressure across a variable orifice
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Understands that flow through a sharp edged orifice is less affected by change in fluid temperature than other types of restrictons
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Understands functions, porting, and purpose of differential areas in pilot operated hydraulic check valves
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Understands that load holding, pilot operated to-open, check valves require an open center or float center directonal control valve
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Understands that thermal expansion of fluid can cause high pressure and thermal lock in cylinders equipped with pilot operated check valves
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Distinguishes between the operation of a counterbalance valve and pilot operated to-open check valve
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Determines the pressure required to shift a pilot operated check valve
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Interprets hydraulic pump specifications from performance curves
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Understands the relationship given by Ohm’s law
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Predicts directional control valve operation from performance curves
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Understands that pilot drains on directional control valves should have separate lines where the system experiences high return line pressure
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Understands the purpose and operation of priority flow divider valves, bypass flow regulators, and proportional flow divider valves
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Calculates fill times, oil capacities, and charge pressures for hydro-pneumatic accumulators
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Controls
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Identifies limit switch positions
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Identifies single-phase two-speed, and three-phase AC motor symbols
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Understands forward and reverse rotation wiring diagrams for singlephase and three-phase AC electric motors
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Identifies basic electrical symbols from ladder diagrams
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Understands the basics of hydraulic system electrical controls
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Distinguishes between ladder diagram elements: Electrical contacts (push button switches, sensors, and relay contacts), and output elements (resistance loads, such as relays, solenoids, lamps, and motors)
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Understands that electrical contacts have negligible resistance, whereas output elements have appreciable electrical resistance
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Understands that in a ladder diagram, the voltage drops across the switch if it is open or across the load if it is closed
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Understands the interaction between a ladder diagram and directional control valves
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Identifies the function of electrical components in a circuit
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Understands that solenoid coil hum is caused by alternating current and the bias spring
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Understands that a solenoid shading ring helps hold the armature in place as the main magnetic coil attraction draops to zero
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Understands that the shading ring in AC directional control valve solenoids minimizes hum by providing an induced current that lags the applied current
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Associates AC solenoid failures with failure of the armature, or failure of the plunger to seat
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Basic Circuits
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Understands the function of a Graetz rectifier.
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Understands that system pressure in a series hydraulic circuit results from the combined load on all actuators
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Understands that pressure in a parallel hydraulic circuit results from the load on the actuator with least resistance
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Understands that the pressure relief valve diverts unneeded flow to the reservoir when a fixed displacement pump is used
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Recognizes basic hydraulic circuits from circuit schematics
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Identifies purposes for hydraulic meter-in, meter-out, bleed-off, brake, sequence, and counterbalance circuits
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Recognizes the characteristics of meter-in, meter-out, and bleed-off circuits
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Recognizes the limitations of meter-in, meter-out, and bleed-off circuits
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Identifies circuits that match applications
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Understands that hydraulic regenerative cylinder circuits increase cylinder rod velocity
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Understands how components interact in a hydraulic regenerative circuit
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Calculates the cylinder rod force, cylinder rod velocity, and flow rate in various lines in a hydraulic regenerative cylinder circuit
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Distinguishes hydraulic accumulator circuit purposes from circuit schematics
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Understands that hydraulic system heat generation in aerial trucks is caused by boom actuation and portable hydraulic tool usage
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Understands that a variable displacement, pressure compensated pump reduces energy loss by avoiding relief valve operation at full pump pressure during holding or clamping
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Understands that load sensing circuits with variable displacement, pressure compensated, pumps maintain pressure approximately at load pressure
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Understands that hydraulic circuit synchronization can be achieved by mechanical tieing, metering, flow dividers, two equal displacement pumps, or replenishing circuits
- Station # 1 Identify Fluid Power Symbols:
- Identify 20 components by their symbolic representation on a schematic drawing. The schematic at this station will be either Mobile Hydraulic, Industrial Hydraulic, or Pneumatic depending upon your test. You will be required to give a written explanation for each component. This is not a multiple choice station.
- Station # 2 Identify Fasteners and Fittings:
- This station hasten ten fasteners and ten fittings that require identification as to type, size, length, thread, and grade. Each item has five multiple choice answers from which to choose.
- Station # 3 Use of Multimeter:
- This station is for testing the candidate in the use of a Multimeter. There are 14 questions for readings taken on a test circuit board. It is not multiple choice. The readings are for voltage, amperage, and resistance.
- Station # 4 Measure a Pump Piston and Spool:
- This station tests your ability to take measurements of a partthat range from 1/16” to .0001” and requires using scales, calipers, and micrometers. A pump piston and a hydraulic valve spool are used for the measurements. This is not a multiple choice station.
- Station # 5 Fluid Conductors:
- Requires identifying size, type, and pressure ratings of two steel tubes, two rubber hoses, one copper, and one nylon tube. Dial calipers and data sheets are provided to aid in this task. This station is not multiple choice.
- Station # 6 Tube Bend and Flare:
- Bend and flare a tube assembly to fit a fixture testubg the skills of measuring, cutting, flaring, and assembly for compound bending to fit a fixture. All tubing, tools, and data sheets are provided.
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT) examination:
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the
Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT) credential has the following recertification information:
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The IHT certification is renewed every five years by completing 30 professional development points (PDPs) and paying a recertification fee. Additional information can be found on the IFPS website.
Individuals who hold the IFPS Industrial Hydraulic Technician (IHT), Mobile Hydraulic Technician (MHT), and Pneumatic Technician (PT) certifications earn the Fluid Power Master Technician (MT) designation. Navy COOL can provide funding for maintaining the Fluid Power Master Technician (MT) designation for eligible Sailors.
MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch
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This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: February 26, 2021
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