The directional control valve WE 10 AH consists mainly of a valve housing (1), a control piston (5) with two centering springs (4) and - depending on the application - two or two electromagnets (2 + 3) as the actuator. Directional control valves with three switching positions have two electromagnets and two centering springs. Two switch positions with directional control valves are an electromagnet and one or two return springs equipped with an electromagnet and a latching device.