Overview
IEC TS 63064:2018 – Graphical Symbols for Diagrams – Guidance on Design for Standardization in IEC 60617 provides comprehensive guidance and foundational principles for designing graphical symbols intended for standardized diagrams, with inclusion in IEC 60617. This technical specification supports symbol developers, technical committees, and organizations seeking to establish clear, universally recognizable graphical symbols for use in electrical and electronic documentation.
The scope of IEC TS 63064:2018 is limited to the design principles of graphical symbols; it does not address the application of these symbols within diagrams. By standardizing the creation process, IEC TS 63064 contributes to clarity, consistency, and interoperability across technical documentation worldwide.
Keywords: IEC TS 63064, graphical symbols, IEC 60617, symbol design, standardized diagrams, electrical documentation.
Key Topics
- Design Process: The standard outlines a stepwise approach to creating new graphical symbols, including initial concept definition, symbol selection or creation, determining orientation, use of qualifying symbols, and incorporation of connect nodes.
- Basic Principles: Emphasis is placed on simplicity, perceptibility, and reproducibility. Symbols need to be easy to understand and remember, reducing ambiguity and avoiding the use of similar shapes for different meanings.
- Orthogonal Grid System: The design is based on a fixed orthogonal grid, defining module size (typically 2.5 mm), ensuring precise alignment and consistency across symbols.
- Layer-Based Symbol Creation: Symbols are structured across six layers, each serving specific functions such as the presentation of the main symbol, qualifying elements, and grid lines at varying scales. This layered approach supports flexibility and clarity in design.
- Requirements for Lines and Arcs: Specifies rules regarding line width, minimum spacing, arc construction, line types, and corner types, in alignment with international drawing principles.
- Connect Nodes and Terminal Lines: Guidance on the appropriate placement and spacing of connect nodes, crucial for ensuring accurate diagram connections.
- Reference Points and Text: Details about the placement and sizing of reference points and associated textual information to maintain consistency in automated and manual drafting.
Applications
IEC TS 63064:2018 is highly relevant for:
- Technical Committees and Standards Developers: Providing a structured method for the consistent creation of new symbols for international standardization, particularly for inclusion in IEC 60617.
- Designers of Electrical and Electronic Documentation: Ensuring that all diagram symbols are intuitive, universally understandable, and compatible with global standards.
- CAD Software Developers: Facilitating the implementation of standardized libraries of graphical symbols that conform to internationally recognized practices.
- Training and Education: Supporting educators and students by supplying clear rules for symbol design, reinforcing best practices in technical drawing and documentation.
- Organizations Preparing Formal Documentation: Ensuring that graphical representations in manuals, schematics, or technical guides are standardized for global comprehension and interoperability.
Related Standards
IEC TS 63064:2018 references several related standards that further support the standardization process:
- IEC 60617: Graphical symbols for diagrams (primary reference for symbol libraries).
- IEC 81714 Series: Design of graphical symbols for technical documentation, including computer-sensible form and requirements for interchange.
- IEC 62744: Representation of states of objects by graphical symbols.
- IEC 80000 Series / ISO 80000 Series: Letter symbols for physical quantities.
- ISO 128-20: Principles of technical drawing line conventions.
- ISO 14617: Graphical symbols for diagrams.
- IEC 60027: Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology.
- Annexes and Templates: Templates and grid overlays are available to support standardized symbol design.
For comprehensive symbol development and integration into technical documentation, utilizing IEC TS 63064:2018 in conjunction with these related standards ensures the highest degree of clarity, accuracy, and international compliance.