Overview
EN ISO 81714-1:2010 / ISO 81714-1:2010 - “Design of graphical symbols for use in the technical documentation of products - Part 1: Basic rules” - specifies the basic rules for designing graphical symbols used in technical product documentation. Published by CEN and prepared jointly by ISO and IEC technical committees, the standard defines how to create clear, reproducible symbols that convey function or requirements independently of language and for use on paper and in data processing environments.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard establishes essential design principles and requirements, including:
- Graphic representation and design procedure - rules to follow when defining what a symbol represents, presentation media, and effects of rotation, mirroring and scaling.
- Shape and perceptibility - symbols must be simple, easy to learn and unambiguous; distinct shapes should not represent the same information.
- Operational state and classes - treatment of movable parts and grouping of functionally related symbols into symbol families.
- Combination and variants - rules for combining symbols and providing alternative symbol variants (e.g., rotated or mirrored forms).
- Grid, module and line-width - use of grids/modules and minimum line widths/sizes to ensure consistent reproduction and legibility.
- Lines, arcs, spacing and hatched/filled areas - geometric rules for drawing elements and minimum spacing for parallel lines.
- Connect nodes and terminal lines - definition and placement of connect nodes and terminal lines for symbols that represent connections.
- Reference point and symbol identifier - use of a reference point for positioning and transformations; assignment of unique symbol identifiers.
- Text and sizing - guidance on text associated with symbols and minimum sizes (including microcopying considerations).
Normative references used by the standard include ISO 129-1, ISO 6428 and relevant ISO/IEC character set documents.
Practical applications and users
ISO 81714-1 is intended for anyone who designs, implements or manages graphical symbol libraries for technical documentation, including:
- Technical illustrators and documentation authors
- Product designers and mechanical/electrical engineers
- CAD librarians and technical drafting teams
- Manufacturers, suppliers and maintenance documentation teams
- Standards bodies and compliance/quality personnel
It is especially useful when creating symbol libraries for manuals, schematics, assembly instructions, wiring diagrams and process documentation where consistent, language-independent communication is required.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 81714-1, EN ISO 81714-1:2010, graphical symbols, technical documentation, symbol design, symbol family, connect node, terminal line, reference point, design rules.
