We are IEC TC 3
The basic role of IEC Technical Committee 3: Documentation, graphical symbols and representations of technical information is to help make communication of information among people (and computers) easier and more reliable. In particular,
this means communication among customers, suppliers, engineers and maintenance people of information on products and systems.
Two broad categories are covered by TC 3: graphical symbols and the structuring of information.
These categories are further broken down into several areas of activity (structuring and identification, document and documentation management, current document kinds, graphical symbols for diagrams, graphical symbols for use on
equipment, information modeling, semantical definitions and data element types).
Scope
Standardization in the field of documentation, graphical symbols and representations of technical information, covering:
1) Rules, principles and methods focusing on machine sensible representation of information. This includes but is not limited to:
– definition and identification of classes and properties (e.g. sematic data),
– ontologies and data dictionaries (e.g. CDD),
– Information models for structuring of technical data and document management,
– information exchange based on existing communication means.
2) Rules, principles and methods focusing on human sensible representation of the information. This includes but is not limited to:
– presentation of information in documentation,
– graphical symbols for use in documentation,
– graphical symbols for the human interaction with equipment,
The standards deal with the presentations and graphical symbols as shown in documents or on equipment, independently of their forms of representation, analogue or digital, but may also include requirements for the development of documentation
3) Rules, principles and methods for general and safety related marking, identification and arrangement of information in electrical installations, equipment and man-machine interfaces. This includes but is not limited to:
– the meanings of colours and alternative means, when used for marking and identification,
– the arrangement of indicating devices and actuators,
– coding principles for indicating and actuating devices,
– terminal designation of electrical and electronic components, apparatus and equipment,
– designation of certain designated conductors,
– marking of electrical and electronic equipment with ratings related to supply and to its properties,
– marking of bare and insulated conductors,
Horizontal functions:
– To develop basic safety publications related to marking, identification and arrangement of information in electrical installations, equipment and man machine interfaces.
– To develop horizontal publications in the area of documentation, graphical symbols and representation of technical information.
TC 3 at a glance
Established in 1911, has: