Overview
IEC 61987-11:2012 - Industrial-process measurement and control - Part 11 - defines generic data structures for the List of Properties (LOP) of process measuring equipment intended for electronic data exchange. The standard provides a characterisation (device type dictionary) of measuring equipment suitable for integration in the Component Data Dictionary (CDD) and supplies generic structures for Operating Lists of Properties (OLOPs) and Device Lists of Properties (DLOPs). This bilingual edition (2014-01) corresponds to the English monolingual edition published in 2012.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Characterisation scheme: A structured approach to describe measuring equipment by device type and aspects, enabling consistent device-type dictionaries.
- Generic block structures: Defined templates for OLOPs and DLOPs that standardize how properties are grouped and represented for electronic exchange.
- OLOP (Operating List of Properties): Covers base conditions, process cases, operating conditions for device design (installation, environment, process, P-T), and physical location aspects.
- DLOP (Device List of Properties): Focuses on device identification, application, function and system design, inputs/outputs, digital communication interfaces, performance and rated operating conditions.
- Composite devices: Rules for structuring composite or multivariable devices and mapping component aspects.
- Support blocks: Administrative information, calibration/test data, accessories, certificates and part identifications.
- Normative structure links: Conformance with IEC 61987-10 and relationship to IEC 61987-1 for wider catalogue data structures.
- Annex A: Device type dictionary classification scheme for process measuring equipment.
Practical applications and who uses it
IEC 61987-11 is used where standardized, machine-readable device data is required for the lifecycle of process instrumentation:
- Instrument manufacturers: to publish product catalogues and device-type data compatible with the CDD and digital procurement.
- System integrators and automation engineers: for device selection, configuration, and interoperable integration into control systems and asset management.
- Software vendors and data-modelers: to implement consistent OLOP/DLOP data models in CMMS, PIM, digital twins and engineering tools.
- Procurement and operations teams: to automate specification matching, ordering and verification against rated operating conditions and certifications.
Related standards
- IEC 61987-10 - referenced for LOP conformance rules
- IEC 61987-1 - overarching data structures and catalogue elements
- Component Data Dictionary (CDD) - target integration environment for device-type dictionaries
By standardizing Lists of Properties (LOP), IEC 61987-11 improves interoperability, reduces manual data entry, and streamlines electronic exchange of instrument specifications across the industrial-process measurement and control ecosystem.