In the hydraulic example, what is the operating pressure used?

• A. 1500 psi
• B. 3000 psi
• C. 500 psi
• D. 10000 psi

Answer: (B)

In a hydraulic system, operating pressure is the working pressure the system maintains to deliver the needed force to the actuator. It’s chosen so that, with the actuator’s piston area, the required output force is achieved without exceeding component limits.

In this scenario, 3000 psi is used because it provides the necessary force for the given actuator area, while staying within what the system components are designed to handle. The relationship F = P × A shows why: for a given piston area, increasing the pressure increases the force proportionally. The other pressures would either produce insufficient force (if lower) or exceed the design limits (if much higher), so 3000 psi is the appropriate operating pressure for this example.