1. (a) Implementation.

   1. (1) The provisions of this section shall be implemented by school districts beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
   2. (2) School districts shall implement the employability skills student expectations listed in §127.15(d)(2) of this chapter (relating to Career and Technical Education Employability Skills) as an integral part of this course.
2. (b) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: at least one credit in a course from the Manufacturing Career Cluster. Recommended prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.

3. (c) Introduction.

   1. (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
   2. (2) The Manufacturing Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.
   3. (3) In Basic Fluid Power, students gain knowledge and skills in hydraulic and pneumatic systems as applied to industrial manufacturing. Instruction includes terminology and fluid power theory, interpreting technical drawings, component identification, mathematical calculations as applied to fluid power systems, and component functions. Students gain basic knowledge of fluid power system design with basic system components, installing basic fluid power system components, and building maintenance schedules for preventative and reactive maintenance.
   4. (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other organizations that foster leadership and career development in the profession such as student chapters of related professional associations.
   5. (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

4. (d) Knowledge and skills.

   1. (1) The student examines career opportunities and safety concerns in the manufacturing industry. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) research and describe trends of manufacturing careers in industry; and
      2. (B) identify safety, health, environmental, and ergonomic issues in the manufacturing industry.

   2. (2) The student examines terminology and fundamental concepts of fluid power in manufacturing. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain the function of Pascal's Law in hydraulic systems;
      2. (B) identify and explain the function of actuators in fluid power systems;
      3. (C) identify and explain the function of valves in fluid power systems;
      4. (D) describe the relationship between pressure, force, and cylinder volume in fluid power systems;
      5. (E) analyze the application of Gay Lussac's Law, Charles's Law, and Boyle's Law in pneumatic systems;
      6. (F) explain how the law of conservation of energy applies to specific fluid power systems, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems;
      7. (G) explain how pressure is generated in a fluid power circuit;
      8. (H) explain how different seal types and operating temperatures can impact fluid compatibility;
      9. (I) explain the difference between flash point, fire point, and auto ignition regarding hydraulic fluid;
      10. (J) explain displacement regarding hydraulic pumps; and
      11. (K) identify specific hazards such as high-pressure injection injuries and equipment damage resulting from unrelieved pressure in the lines of a fluid power system.

   3. (3) The student reads and interprets technical drawings in a fluid power system. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) identify common fluid power symbols, including cylinders, motors, pumps, reservoirs, and directional control valves;
      2. (B) differentiate between schematic and pictorial diagrams;
      3. (C) match fluid power schematic symbols to physical components in a system;
      4. (D) construct and operate a basic fluid power circuit given a schematic with a directional control valve and a double-acting cylinder; and
      5. (E) draw a fluid power schematic from a given fluid power application.

   4. (4) The student demonstrates understanding of the characteristics and applications of fluid power systems. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) analyze pressure gauge readings to identify potential internal and external leakage issues in fluid power systems;
      2. (B) analyze flow meters to detect proper and improper system flow in fluid power systems;
      3. (C) analyze temperature gauges to detect heat issues within fluid power systems;
      4. (D) explain the operational difference between hydraulic and pneumatic systems;
      5. (E) explain the importance of dryers in pneumatic systems, including the prevention of moisture-related issues; and
      6. (F) explain the importance of lubrication in a pneumatic system, including the reduction of friction, prevention of wear and tear, and enhancement of system efficiency.

   5. (5) The student applies mathematical calculations to various operations of a fluid power system. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) describe and analyze pressure, force, and volume in the context of fluid power systems;
      2. (B) calculate output force and rod speed given cylinder size, flow rate, and pressure applied;
      3. (C) describe and calculate how a change in pressure or volume results in change in force;
      4. (D) describe and calculate how change in volume results in change of rod speed and force applied; and
      5. (E) calculate the force output of an extending cylinder using Pascal's Law.

   6. (6) The student understands the function of various components in fluid power systems. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) differentiate between a pneumatic compressor and a hydraulic pump;
      2. (B) describe the functions of a hydraulic reservoir such as fluid storage, fluid cooling, and contaminant separation;
      3. (C) describe the function of various pumps, including piston, gear, and vane pumps;
      4. (D) differentiate between a fixed and variable displacement pump;
      5. (E) explain the purpose of an actuator in fluid power systems;
      6. (F) explain the purpose of various gauges and meters in fluid power systems;
      7. (G) explain the purpose of various pressure controlling devices in hydraulic systems, including pressure relief valves, pressure reducing valves, sequence valves, and counterbalance valves;
      8. (H) explain the purpose of various pressure controlling devices in pneumatic systems, including regulators and pressure relief valves;
      9. (I) explain the purpose of various flow controlling devices in fluid power systems, including check valves, directional control valves, needle valves, and flow controls;
      10. (J) explain the purpose of various motors in fluid power systems, including unidirectional and bi-directional motors;
      11. (K) describe the function of hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, including motor, cylinder, and rotary actuators;
      12. (L) describe the function of various hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, including single- and double-acting, single- and double-rod, and rodless cylinders;
      13. (M) describe the function of a fluid power double-acting cylinder;
      14. (N) describe and analyze the function of flow control valves in regulating actuator speed in a fluid power circuit;
      15. (O) identify and explain the function of a check valve; and
      16. (P) explain the function of an accumulator.

   7. (7) The student designs basic fluid power circuits using various components in a fluid power system. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) design a fluid power circuit with a unidirectional motor;
      2. (B) design a fluid power circuit with a bi-directional motor;
      3. (C) design a fluid power circuit with multiple cylinders;
      4. (D) design a fluid power circuit with a flow control valve to regulate actuator speed;
      5. (E) design a fluid power circuit incorporating a check valve;
      6. (F) design a basic fluid power circuit incorporating various configurations of directional control valves to alter flow direction;
      7. (G) design fluid power circuits using various operators for directional control, including lever, solenoid, pilot, and push button operator;
      8. (H) design a hydraulic sequence valve to operate multiple actuators in sequence; and
      9. (I) design a hydraulic pressure reducing valve to lower pressure in a branch circuit.

   8. (8) The student installs various components in a fluid power system. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) connect fluid power circuits using various connecting methods, including threaded, push-fit, and quick disconnect fittings;
      2. (B) identify and demonstrate proper safety procedures required for system installation such as lockout/tagout to control hazardous energy;
      3. (C) install a fluid power circuit with a unidirectional motor;
      4. (D) install a fluid power circuit with a bi-directional motor;
      5. (E) install a fluid power circuit with multiple cylinders;
      6. (F) install a fluid power circuit with a flow control valve to regulate actuator speed;
      7. (G) install a fluid power circuit using a check valve;
      8. (H) install a basic fluid power circuit using various configurations of directional control valves to change flow direction;
      9. (I) install fluid power circuits using various operators for the directional control valve, including lever, solenoid, pilot, and push button operator;
      10. (J) install and adjust a pneumatic system regulator to match a defined system pressure setting;
      11. (K) install and adjust a hydraulic power unit relief valve to match a defined system pressure setting;
      12. (L) install a hydraulic sequence valve to operate multiple actuators in sequence; and
      13. (M) install a hydraulic pressure reducing valve to lower pressure in a branch circuit.

   9. (9) The student uses industry standard practices to maintain functional capacity in fluid power systems. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) analyze service data to develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules;
      2. (B) analyze and document repair data to develop and implement predictive maintenance schedules;
      3. (C) inspect components in a fluid power system to identify signs of malfunction, including discoloration, vibration, and loud sounds;
      4. (D) inspect hydraulic fluid to identify contaminants and signs of viscosity breakdown;
      5. (E) explain and demonstrate procedures to change filters in a fluid power system; and
      6. (F) explain and demonstrate procedures to drain and replace hydraulic fluid.

   10. (10) The student understands the function of a basic vacuum system. The student is expected to:

       1. (A) identify and explain the function of a venturi vacuum application;
       2. (B) connect and read a vacuum gauge;
       3. (C) connect and read a manometer;
       4. (D) connect and operate a vacuum generator;
       5. (E) identify and explain the function of a vacuum generator; and
       6. (F) connect a venturi to a pneumatic system.

Source Note:The provisions of this §127.830 adopted to be effective February 24, 2026, 51 TexReg 1124.