A typical reference designation follows a hierarchical structure: =Function +Location -Product Letter Codes for Component Types
The standard introduced the concept of an . It argued that any technical object is too complex to be described by a single name. Instead, you view the object through different "aspects" (views):
Switching devices for control circuits (e.g., pushbuttons, limit switches) T: Transformers and power supplies W: Guidance items (e.g., cables, busbars) Practical Example
Engineering teams, CAD managers, and system integrators frequently look for the IEC 61346-1 PDF to achieve several operational goals: iec 61346-1 pdf
Ensuring every component within a plant has one definitive identifier.
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In the complex landscape of industrial automation and electrical engineering, the ability to clearly identify and locate components within a system is paramount. Before a technician can repair a machine or an engineer can modify a control system, they must decipher the system’s architecture. For many years, the standard that governed this structural organization was , titled "Industrial systems, installations and equipment and industrial products — Structuring principles and reference designations." Although this standard has technically been superseded by the IEC 81346 series, understanding IEC 61346-1 remains essential for engineers dealing with legacy documentation and for grasping the fundamental shift from product-oriented to function-oriented system design. This essay explores the core principles of IEC 61346-1, its methodological approach to structuring systems, and its lasting impact on technical documentation. I can provide practical naming examples tailored directly
Despite being replaced by IEC 81346, the older standard remains highly relevant today for several reasons:
The your team uses (EPLAN, AutoCAD, etc.)
By nesting these aspects, engineers create hierarchical trees. A complete system can be broken down into subsystems, sub-subsystems, and individual components. Because the aspects are independent, a system can have a functional tree, a product tree, and a location tree running in parallel but linked together. 3. Reference Designation Syntax For many years, the standard that governed this
Many popular Electrical CAD (ECAD) and PLM software suites still include legacy templates labeled under the IEC 61346 naming conventions. Finding and Using the PDF Safely
What are you primarily focusing on (electrical, mechanical, or process)?
By separating these aspects, IEC 61346-1 allowed a single component to be indexed in multiple ways. A relay (Product -K1) might function as an overload protector (Function =S1) located in Control Panel A (Location +LA). This separation was revolutionary because it allowed documentation to be reused in different contexts; a functional diagram could remain valid even if the physical layout of the plant changed.
Many users searching for are confused by the alphabet soup of standards. Here is a clear breakdown:
