Instrumentation Symbols Explained
Instrumentation Symbols Explained
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Contents [hide]
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5 V. Instrumentation Symbol Components Explained
6.2.1 a) Controllers
6.2.2 b) Indicators
6.3.3 c) Actuators
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o 7.2 2 Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
o 8.9 Summary
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9.2.5 e) Train the Team
12 XII. Conclusion
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Furthermore, standardized symbols, governed by industry protocols like ISA 5.1 or
ISO 14617, ensure that drawings are consistent and interpretable across global
projects. For instance, a temperature transmitter is represented the same way on a
diagram in the U.S. as it would be in Europe or Asia, provided the same standards
are followed.
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and process flow diagrams (PFDs). They serve as a visual shorthand, replacing
lengthy descriptions with easily recognizable icons and letter codes.
1. Geometric Shape:
Common shapes include circles, diamonds, and hexagons. For example,
a circle often represents a field instrument.
o T for Temperature
o P for Pressure
o F for Flow
o L for Level
These are combined with function identifiers
like I (Indication), T (Transmitter), C (Controller), or R (Recorder).
Example:
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Help in troubleshooting and maintenance
These symbols follow international standards such as ISA 5.1, ISO 14617, and IEC
60617, ensuring consistency across global projects.
Instrumentation symbols are essential during the design phase of a project. They
help engineers:
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The P&ID is the most commonly used and most comprehensive type of
instrumentation drawing. It shows the physical relationships between piping,
process equipment, and control instruments. P&IDs include:
P&IDs are crucial for system design, hazard analysis, control logic development, and
maintenance planning.
2. Loop Diagrams
All components from the field instrument to the control system (PLC/DCS)
These diagrams are used during installation and troubleshooting to trace signal flow
and verify wiring.
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3. Logic Diagrams
Logic diagrams illustrate the sequence and logic behind process control
functions. Often shown using ladder diagrams or function block diagrams, these are
used to:
4. Wiring/Interconnection Diagrams
Each drawing type complements the others, giving a complete picture of the control
and instrumentation system. Together, they ensure a well-integrated, functional,
and maintainable system.
Below are the most widely used standards for instrumentation symbols:
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Functional identification using letter codes (e.g., “P” for pressure, “T” for
temperature)
Example:
A pressure transmitter is labeled PT, where “P” stands for pressure and “T” for
transmitter.
Measurement instruments
Electrical connections
Field devices
Controllers
Wiring details
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Signal types
Instrumentation symbols are more than just simple icons on a drawing — each one
carries a wealth of information that helps engineers, technicians, and operators
understand how a system works. To read and interpret these symbols correctly, it’s
important to understand their basic components. Let’s break them down:
1. Geometric Shapes
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Instrumentation symbols usually begin with a basic shape, which indicates
the type and location of the instrument:
Inside or near the symbol, you’ll typically find a set of capital letters that describe
the instrument’s function. This is one of the most crucial components.
o T = Temperature
o P = Pressure
o F = Flow
o L = Level
o I = Indicator
o T = Transmitter
o C = Controller
o R = Recorder
Examples:
3. Tag Numbers
Each instrument is assigned a unique tag number, which helps identify it in the
field and across documents. Tags often include:
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The loop number (e.g., 101)
Example:
FT-101A might represent the first flow transmitter in loop 101.
Understanding these lines is crucial for tracing how a signal flows from one device
to another.
5. Location Indicators
Many drawings also include location bubbles or annotations to indicate where the
instrument is physically installed:
6. Modifier Symbols
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Understanding these components allows engineers and technicians to decode an
entire control loop at a glance. Mastery of these elements is essential for
working efficiently in design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of
industrial systems.
a) Temperature Measurement
Symbols often show a circle with the appropriate letter code inside. A thermometer,
thermocouple, or RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) may also be noted next to
the tag.
b) Pressure Measurement
Pressure instruments detect the force of a fluid or gas within a system. Common
examples:
PSH (Pressure Switch – High): Triggers when pressure exceeds a set point.
Symbols are usually circles with “P” as the starting letter, and lines may indicate
pneumatic or electronic signal types.
c) Flow Measurement
Flow instruments measure how much fluid or gas is moving through a pipe. These
include:
FE (Flow Element): Often used for devices like orifice plates or venturi
tubes.
d) Level Measurement
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Level instruments monitor the amount of material inside a tank, vessel, or silo.
They are crucial in storage and process control. Symbols include:
Controllers and indicators are the brains and display elements of the
instrumentation system. They receive data from measurement instruments and
make decisions to adjust the process accordingly. Their symbols help identify where
decisions are being made and how values are being monitored.
a) Controllers
TC – Temperature Controller
PC – Pressure Controller
FC – Flow Controller
LC – Level Controller
Controller symbols usually appear as circles or rectangles with function codes, often
located in control rooms (panel-mounted) or shown connected to PLC/DCS systems.
b) Indicators
Indicators are used for visual display of process values. They may be located in the
field, on control panels, or integrated into a controller.
Examples:
TI – Temperature Indicator
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PI – Pressure Indicator
LI – Level Indicator
FI – Flow Indicator
Some indicators also include alarms, recorders, or signal modifiers (e.g., signal
conditioners or isolators).
Examples:
TR – Temperature Recorder
FR – Flow Recorder
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Valves and actuators are essential components in process control systems. They
regulate the flow of fluids, gases, and slurries by opening, closing, or throttling flow
paths. In instrumentation diagrams, they’re represented by distinct symbols that
show their function, actuation type, and control behavior.
a) Control Valves
Control valves are dynamic flow control devices that receive a signal (from a
controller or transmitter) and adjust their position to maintain process stability.
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LV – Level Control Valve
A valve body symbol (typically two triangles pointing toward each other)
These valves are used to start or stop flow. They don’t modulate, but rather act as
switches.
Examples:
These valves may include limit switch symbols or signal lines connecting them to
control logic.
c) Actuators
Actuators provide the mechanical force to move a valve. They can be:
d) Specialized Valves
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Symbols can also represent specialized valve types, such as:
Signal and transmission symbols represent the way information (like measurements
or control actions) is communicated between instruments, controllers, and final
elements. These signals may be electrical, pneumatic, digital, or wireless, and
they are indicated by different line types and connection symbols in
instrumentation diagrams.
Understanding these lines and notations is essential for tracing how data flows
through a system.
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Sometimes, signal lines are labeled with abbreviations to clarify what kind of signal
is transmitted:
RTD / TC: Temperature sensor wiring (e.g., RTD for resistance, TC for
thermocouple)
Symbols also represent how devices connect to higher-level control systems like
PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), DCS (Distributed Control Systems), or
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. These may include:
Interface modules
Terminal blocks
Input/output cards
Communication buses
Tags indicating protocol (e.g., “W” for wireless, “H” for HART)
These additions help designers plan networks and ensure compatibility with control
systems.
Signal and transmission symbols might seem like just lines and arrows, but they tell
a critical story about how a process communicates. Properly interpreting these
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helps with system integration, troubleshooting, and ensuring that devices respond
as expected.
While basic instrumentation symbols cover most of the common devices and
signals, industrial systems often require specialized symbols and configurations to
represent more advanced or safety-critical functionalities. These include alarm
systems, interlocks, safety instrumented systems (SIS), redundancy setups, and
advanced control loops. This section introduces those more complex but essential
symbol types and what they signify on instrumentation drawings.
Alarms and trips are used to alert operators or automatically shut down systems
when abnormal conditions occur. These instruments are critical for safety and
regulatory compliance.
A in the symbol chain typically denotes an alarm (e.g., PAH = Pressure Alarm
High).
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Trip symbols are often paired with final control elements (like shutdown
valves).
Symbols for SIS often include heavy outlines, special borders, or “SIS”
tags.
These systems may include safety-rated transmitters, logic solvers, and final
elements (e.g., SDVs – Shutdown Valves).
In drawings, SIS loops are separated from the basic process control to highlight their
independence and integrity.
2oo3 (Two out of Three): System acts when any 2 of 3 inputs agree (high
reliability and fault tolerance).
Redundant devices may appear as parallel loops with identical symbols and
different tag numbers.
c) Ratio Control
Examples:
Special symbols and complex loops may not appear in every system, but they
are vital in critical applications where safety, redundancy, and precise control
are essential. Properly reading and understanding these ensures operators can
maintain safety and performance, even in demanding conditions.
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VIII. Reading and Interpreting P&ID Instrumentation Symbols
Instrumentation symbols
Reviewing the legend helps you align your interpretation with the designer’s intent.
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Heat exchangers and pressure vessels
These are typically shown in larger, bolder symbols. Once you understand the
equipment, you can follow the flow path through piping and valves.
Process lines are typically solid lines and show how material flows through the
system. As you trace the path:
Tag numbers help you group devices by control loop, making it easier to
understand system behavior.
1. Sensor → Transmitter
2. Transmitter → Controller
Circle = Field-mounted
These help determine how to access or maintain the instrument in real life.
Interpreting P&IDs becomes easier with practice. Start with a simple system:
A pump feeding a tank with a level transmitter and control valve Then move
to more advanced systems:
Batch reactor with temperature control, safety shutdowns, and feedback loops
Each diagram tells a story — how the system measures, controls, and reacts.
Summary
Reading P&ID symbols isn’t just about knowing what each shape means — it’s about
understanding the entire control philosophy. With experience, you’ll be able to
analyze a P&ID to:
Troubleshoot faults
Verify installations
1 Common Mistakes
Always refer to the legend or standard being followed (ISA 5.1, ISO 14617,
etc.)
Signal lines might look similar at a glance, but mixing up pneumatic, electrical,
or digital connections can cause serious issues.
For instance, assuming a dashed line is an electrical signal when it’s actually
pneumatic could lead to installation errors.
Failing to maintain a consistent tag naming convention can confuse teams and
disrupt documentation. For example:
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Using both TIC-101 and TIC101 without consistency may affect software
integration or loop checks.
Many facilities operate with as-built drawings that haven’t been updated in years.
As a result:
2 Best Practices
Stick to accepted standards like ISA 5.1, IEC 60617, or ISO 14617. This ensures
uniformity and reduces confusion across teams.
Function letters
Loop numbers
Example:
FT-101A, FT-101B for dual flow transmitters in the same loop.
This provides a full picture and avoids costly missteps during construction or
commissioning.
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After equipment changes
Regular training and refresher courses help reduce mistakes in the field.
Instrumentation systems are only as reliable as the people who design, build, and
maintain them. Avoiding common mistakes and following best practices ensures
that control systems are safe, efficient, and easy to operate. Always double-check
symbols, validate connections, and keep documentation current.
Modern instrumentation and control systems are complex and require detailed
planning, documentation, and validation. Software tools play a critical role in
designing these systems, helping engineers create accurate P&IDs, loop
diagrams, control strategies, and wiring layouts. These tools streamline
workflows, reduce errors, and ensure compliance with international standards.
Key features:
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Export to BOM (Bill of Materials) or tag lists
AutoCAD Plant 3D, its advanced counterpart, integrates 3D plant modeling with
P&IDs, making it easier to align control systems with piping layouts.
Features include:
3 AVEVA Instrumentation
Loop drawings
It offers deep integration with AVEVA E3D and AVEVA Electrical, providing a
unified engineering environment.
4 EPLAN Electric P8
Highlights:
For simpler projects or quick drafting, Lucidchart and Microsoft Visio offer
intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces. While not ideal for complex industrial design,
they are useful for:
Training documentation
These tools reduce rework, improve safety, and enhance maintainability of control
systems.
Example:
On the P&ID, dashed lines represent the signal from TT to TIC, and dotted
lines show the electronic signal to the control valve.
By interpreting these symbols, operators know exactly how the process is controlled
and how to respond to system changes.
Scenario:
The loop diagram includes wireless sensors labeled with wave-like lines,
showing real-time transmission to a Building Management System (BMS).
Example:
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Flow through a chlorine dosing line is monitored by an FT-203 and adjusted
by FIC-203.
A remote PLC panel is connected using dotted lines to show digital signal
transmission.
The control strategy includes alarm symbols, showing high/low flow alarms
(FAH, FAL) with trip relays.
With proper symbol interpretation, the maintenance team can easily isolate issues
like stuck valves or failed transmitters.
Example:
The ESD loop is clearly shown on the diagram, separated from the normal
control system using special notations (e.g., “SIS”).
Design smarter
Operate safer
Troubleshoot faster
XII. Conclusion
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engineers, technicians, operators, and contractors — making sure everyone is on
the same page.
The standards that govern them (like ISA 5.1, ISO 14617)
The best way to master them is through practice. Study real diagrams, walk
systems in the field, trace loops, and don’t hesitate to refer to the standards or ask
questions. As you grow more comfortable with instrumentation symbols, you’ll gain
deeper insights into process systems and become a more capable contributor to any
engineering team.
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