This document specifies a discharge test and a charge test as alternative methods for testing pneumatic fluid power components that use compressible fluids, i.e. gases, and that have internal flow passages that can be either fixed or variable in size to determine their flow-rate characteristics. However, this document does not apply to components whose flow coefficient is unstable during use, i.e. components that exhibit remarkable hysteretic behaviour (because they can contain flexible parts that deform under the flow) or that have an internal feedback phenomenon (such as regulators), or components that have a cracking pressure such as non-return (check) valves and quick-exhaust valves. In addition, it does not apply to components that exchange energy with the fluid during flow-rate measurement, e.g. cylinders, accumulators.

NOTE This document does not provide a method to determine if a component has hysteretic behaviour; ISO 6358‑1 does provide such a method.