Graphical symbols for diagrams
Basic issues
The use of internationally standardised graphical symbols contribute to the effective and efficient preparation of documentation for products and installations, as well as to the enhanced understanding of the documents, thus increasing the success of these products in both regional and global markets.
Main publications
IEC 60617 Graphical symbols for diagrams is since long well established, and implemented in most countries and regions in the world.
To support the management of IEC 60617 it has, as the first IEC standard, been converted into database form, accessible over the Internet. The content of the database is the standard. This allows not only better access, but also improved – quicker – maintenance. See the present entry page. The database requires subscription for access.
The database contains presently approximately 1835 symbols corresponding to the content of the former 13 parts of the printed standard, plus some extensions.
The market for the standards in this area has traditionally been design and engineering companies for electrotechnical equipment, systems and installations. With the use of CAD systems today a new market is possible to explore, and that is the CAD system suppliers. This, however, will require that the symbols are delivered electronically as symbol libraries, with associated functionality, easily adaptable to and processable in different design and engineering systems. Basic rules for the design of graphical symbols for in this context are provided in IEC/ISO 81714 Design of graphical symbols for use in the technical documentation of products: ISO 81714-1 Part 1: Basic rules, IEC 81714-2 Part 2: Specification for graphical symbols in a computer sensible form, including graphical symbols for a reference library, and requirements for their interchange and IEC 81714-3 Part 3: Classification of connect nodes, networks and their encoding.
IEC 61286 Information technology – Coded graphic character set for use in the preparation of documents used in electrotechnology and for information interchange, specifies a character set for use in electrotechnical diagrams. The character set contains qualifying symbols to graphical symbols.
IEC/TR 61352 Mnemonics and symbols for integrated circuits, and IEC/TR 61734 Application of symbols for binary logic and analogue elements, are technical reports that support the use of IEC 60617.
Maintenance work and new projects (2010-01)
The content of the IEC 60617 DB is maintained continuously, by the introduction, change or withdrawal of individual graphical symbols. The evaluation of changes to be made and the validation of the changes is varied out by Validation Team TC3/VT60617.
See report on recently processed change requests and symbols (subscription is required for access).
A project for the introduction of a set of symbols for alarm and signalling systems is carried out by Project Team TC3/PT30 .
A new Project Team TC3/PT38 has been set up with the task to prepare clearer rules for the construction of symbols, especially the combination of different elements into one symbol. The team will also look into the criteria for the introduction of symbols into the database.
After review by the maintenance team TC3/MT the documents 3/968/MCR and 3/969/MCR have been circulated suggesting reconfirmation of IEC 81714-2 and IEC 81714-3 for review 2014 with a maintenance result date 2016 and 2015 resp.
Document 3/966/MCR has been circulated suggesting withdrawal of IEC 61286, since the specified character set is now in its entirety contained in ISO/IEC 10646.
At the plenary meeting in Tel Aviv 2009 it was decided to set up a Task Force to study the needs and possibilities to standard dynamic symbols, i.e symbols mainly to be used on displays and which can change colour, form, etc dependant on the status of the symbolised object. The Task Force shall report to the plenary meeting of TC3 2010.
Graphical symbols for use on equipment
Basic issues
The use of internationally standardised graphical symbols for use on equipment contribute to the effective, efficient and safe use of products, thus increasing the success of these products in both regional and global markets.
The Sub-Committee 3C of IEC TC3 develops new symbols for manufacturers producing equipment for the key consumer and professional areas, for example household domestic appliances, audio/video multimedia equipment, data processing equipment and medical equipment.
Main publications
Internationally standardised graphical symbols for use on equipment improve the usability and safety of the products, thus contributing to increased sales. IEC 60417 Graphical symbols for use on equipment, address specialists and general public as well.
To support the management of IEC 60417 it has been converted into database form, accessible over the Internet. The content of the database is the standard. This allows not only better access, but also improved – quicker – maintenance. See the entry page.
While IEC 60417 primarily addresses the need of symbols for electrotechnical equipment ISO 7000 maintained by ISO TC145/SC3 addresses other areas. In order to make a complete set of symbols available to users IEC 60417 and ISO 7000 have therefore been combined in the same database.
The database contains presently approximately 900 symbols belonging to IEC 60417 and 2500 symbols belonging to ISO 7000.
As the number of people using electronic equipment increases, the importance of the work increases correspondingly. In order to provide an improved basis for the quality and consistency of the work. International Standard 80416 Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment developed jointly by IEC and ISO, has been revised in co-operation with ISO TC145. It contains the following parts: IEC 80416-1 Part 1: Creation of symbol originals, ISO 80416-2 Part 2: Form and use of arrows, IEC 80416-3 Part 3: Guidelines for the application of graphical symbols, and ISO 80416-4 Part 4: Guidelines for the adaptation of graphical symbols for use on screens and displays (icons).
The market for graphical symbols for equipment is quite different from that for graphical symbols for diagrams. The symbols for equipment are copied and put on equipment by manufacturers, and are not, so far, associated with any technical functionality when used. This, however, can change when they are used on screens, where a dynamic behaviour may be required.
Maintenance work and new projects (2009-09)
The content of the IEC 60417 DB is maintained continuously, by the introduction, change or withdrawal of individual graphical symbols for use on equipment. The evaluation of changes to be made and the validation of the changes is carried out by Validation Team SC3/VT60417.