Overview
ISO 14617-5:2002 - Graphical symbols for diagrams - Part 5: Measurement and control devices defines standardized graphical symbols for components and devices used in measurement and control systems as represented on technical diagrams. It is one part of the ISO 14617 series that creates a harmonized symbol library (sensors, transducers, instruments, displays, signalling and analogue/binary processing elements) for use in P&IDs, instrumentation diagrams and other process documentation. The corrected 2003 version clarifies several instrument descriptions (e.g., symbols 832, 833, 834).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Specifies symbol shapes and application rules for measurement and control devices used in diagrams.
- Symbol families covered: Sensors, signal converters, measuring transducers, fittings for sensors, transformer-type transducers, measuring/recording/integrating instruments, counting devices, displays, signalling devices, binary logic elements and analogue signal processing devices.
- Application rules: Prescribes how to apply and annotate symbols - for example, replacing asterisks with letter symbols for quantities or units (per ISO 31 / IEC 60027), and using supplementary symbols to indicate sensing principle (float, thermocouple, ultrasonic, strain gauge, optical, etc.).
- Examples and composition: Provides composite symbol examples (e.g., level sensor with float, pressure transducer with strain gauge, temperature transducer with contact) showing how basic symbols and supplementary markings combine in diagrams.
- Normative alignment: Cross-references ISO 14617-1 (indexes & usage), ISO 81714-1 (design rules for graphical symbols), IEC standards (IEC 60027, IEC 60617 parts) for letter symbols and electrical symbol compatibility.
Practical applications
- Create consistent, internationally understood P&IDs, instrumentation and control diagrams for process plants, chemical, power and manufacturing facilities.
- Standardize instrumentation documentation used for design reviews, procurement specifications, maintenance manuals and safety analyses.
- Improve clarity in multi-disciplinary engineering teams and across international projects by providing harmonized symbol conventions.
- Support CAD drafting, technical writing and documentation tools that embed standardized symbols for measurement and control devices.
Who should use this standard
- Instrumentation, control and process engineers
- CAD drafters and technical illustrators producing P&IDs and system diagrams
- Technical writers and documentation teams preparing manuals and schematics
- Design offices, plant constructors and maintenance organizations seeking consistent instrument representation
- Standards committees and regulatory bodies aligning documentation across borders
Related standards
- ISO 14617 (other parts) - general info, actuators, valves, pumps, etc.
- ISO 81714-1 - design rules for graphical symbols
- ISO 31 / IEC 60027 - quantities and letter symbols
- IEC 60617 - graphical symbols for electrical diagrams
Keywords: ISO 14617-5, graphical symbols, measurement and control devices, P&ID, instrumentation symbols, sensors, measuring transducers, signal converters, ISO, IEC.
