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Counterbalance valves are used in hydraulic circuits to avoid uncontrolled movements of cylinders and Motors. They are often installed in the return line of the cylinder or motor. The flow control valve on the meter in side then sees a positive load regardless of external forces on the cylinder. The counterbalance valve can be seen as a relief valve with a setting high enough to support the highest expected load. The setting of the counterbalance valves is reduced when the cylinder or motor moves. Usually the inlet pressure of the cylinder is used as a Pilot Pressure for the counterbalance in the return line. The so called Pilot Ratio describes how much the setting of the CB valve is reduced per increase in Pilot Pressure. A high Pilot Ratio of 10 e.g. reduces the setting by 100 bar when the Pilot Pressure increases by 10 bar.