Battikha-3rd.

book Page 11 Thursday, August 24, 2006 1:20 PM

C H A P T E R 2

IDENTIFICATION AND SYMBOLS

Identification
Users of instruments and control systems need some method for identifying equipment so they
can manage the engineering, purchasing, installation, and maintenance of such systems. There-
fore, one of the key requirements of measurement and control systems is that every device
have a unique tag number. An installation’s guidelines for these tag numbers should either
conform to a company standard or to ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992). Either way, these tag guidelines
should be uniform throughout the plant.

The practitioner is advised that, per ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992), identification of instruments is

according to function and not construction. Thus, a differential pressure transmitter across an
orifice plate in a flow measuring application would be tagged as “FT,” not “PDT.”

According to the ISA standards, the typical tag number consists of two parts (see figure 2-1):
a functional identification and a loop number (e.g., TIC-103). The functional identification
consists of a first letter (designating the measured or initiating variable; for example, F for
Flow, T for Temperature, etc.) and one or more succeeding letters (identifying the functions
performed; for example, I for Indicating, T for Transmitter, C for Controller, V for Valve,
etc.). For example, a temperature indicating controller is identified as TIC, a flow transmitter
as FT; a temperature recorder as TR, a level controller as LC, and so on.

Figure 2-1
Tag Numbers

TYPICAL TAG NUMBER

TIC 103 - Instrument Identification or Tag Number
T 103 - Loop Identification
103 - Loop Number
TIC - Functional Identification
T - First-letter
IC - Succeeding-Letters
EXPANDED TAG NUMBER
10-PAH-5A - Tag Number
10 - Optional Prefix
A - Optional Suffix
Note: Hyphens are optional as separators

The loop number is unique to each loop and is typically common to all instruments within a
loop. For example, if in a loop, a transmitter FT is measuring flow, and a controller FC is con-
trolling a valve FV, then they would all share the same loop number, that is, FT-123, FC-123,
and FV-123. See figure 2-4 for further examples.

The total number of letters in a tag number should not exceed four. Identification letters are
shown in table 2-1; typical letter combinations are shown in table 2-2. Both tables are based on
ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992). For further information, the user should refer to the latest issue of this
ISA standard.

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Table 2-1
Identification letters.
FIRST-LETTER (4) SUCCEEDING-LETTERS (3)

MEASURED OR READOUT OR
INITIATING PASSIVE
VARIABLE MODIFIER FUNCTION OUTPUT FUNCTION MODIFIER

A Analysis (5,19) Alarm

B Burner, Combustion User's Choice (1) User's Choice (1) User's Choice (1)

C User's Choice (1) Control (13)

D User's Choice (1) Differential (4)

E Voltage Sensor (Primary

Element)

F Flow Rate Ratio (Fraction) (4)

G User's Choice (1) Glass, Viewing

Device (9)

H Hand High (7, 15, 16)

I Current (Electrical) Indicate (10)

J Power Scan (7, 24)

K Time, Time Schedule Time Rate of Change Control Station (22)

(4, 21)

L Level Light (11) Low (7, 15, 16)

M User's Choice (1) Momentary (4, 25) Middle,

Intermediate (7,15)

N User's Choice (1) User's Choice (1) User's Choice (1) User's Choice (1)

O User's Choice (1) Orifice, Restriction (23)

P Pressure, Vacuum Point (Test)

Connection (26)

Q Quantity Integrate, Totalize (4)

R Radiation Record (17)

S Speed, Frequency Safety (8) Switch (13)

T Temperature Transmit (18)

U Multivariable (6) Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12)

V Vibration, Mechanical Valve, Damper,

Analysis (19) Louver (13)

W Weight, Force Well

X Unclassified (2) X Axis Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2)

Y Event, State or Y Axis Relay, Compute,

Presence (20) Convert (13, 14, 18)

Z Position, Dimension Z Axis Driver, Actuator,

Unclassified Final
Control Element

NOTE: Numbers in parentheses refer to following explanatory notes.

Notes:

1. To cover unlisted meanings that will be used repetitively. The meanings need be defined
only once.
2. To cover unlisted meanings that will be used only once (or used to a limited extent). The
meanings must be defined outside the tagging bubble.
3. The grammatical form may be modified as required. Example: “Indicate” may mean
“indicator” or “indicating.”
4. A first letter used with a modifier is treated as a first-letter entity. Example: “TDI” for dif-
ferential temperature.

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5. To cover all analysis not described by a “user’s choice” letter. The type of analysis must
be defined outside the tagging bubble.
6. To be used in lieu of a combination of first letters. Generally used for multipoint record-
ers/indicators.
7. Using these modifiers is optional. Example: The letters H and L may be omitted in the
undefined case.
8. To cover only emergency protective primary elements, such as a rupture disk (PSE), and
emergency protective final control elements, such as a pressure safety valve (PSV).
9. Applies to instruments that provide an uncalibrated view, such as a sight-glass level gage
(LG) and television monitors.
10. Normally applies to an analog or digital readout.
11. Used for pilot lights. Example: A running light for a motor may be identified as EL or YL,
depending on whether the measured variable is voltage or operating status, respectively.
Used also for process indicating light. Example: A high-level light (LLH).
12. Used instead of a combination of other functional letters.
13. Used for hand-actuated switches or on-off controllers. It is incorrect to use the succeeding
letters CV for anything other than a self-actuated control valve.
14. Used generally for solenoid devices and relays. For other uses, the meaning needs to be
defined outside the tagging bubble.
15. These modifying terms correspond to values of the measured variable, not to values of the
signal. Example: A high level from a reverse-acting level transmitter should be LAH.
16. The terms high and low when applied to positions of valves denote open and closed posi-
tions, respectively.
17. Applies to any form of permanent storage of information.
18. Used for the term transmitter.
19. Used to perform machine analysis (whereas the letter A performs more general analyses).
Except for vibration, the meaning must be defined outside the tagging bubble.
20. Not to be used when control or monitoring responses are time driven or time/schedule
driven.
21. To signify a time rate of change of the measured variable. Example: WKIC means a rate-
of-weight-loss indicating controller.
22. Used to designate an operator’s control station, such as a manual loading station (HIK), or
the operator interface of a distributed control system.
23. Used also to designate a restriction orifice (FO).
24. Used also to designate a temperature-scanning recorder (TJR).
25. Used also to designate a hand momentary switch (HMS).
26. For example, an analysis test point is identified as AP.
These notes are abbreviated. See ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992) for full text.

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14

Typical letter combinations

Table 2-2
The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control 3rd Edition

Switches and
Controllers Readout Devices Alarm Devices* Transmitters
Self- Solenoids,
Initiating Actuated Relays, Well Viewing
First- or Control Computing Primary Test or Device, Safety Final
Letters Measured Variable Recording Indicating Blind Valves Recording Indicating High** Low Comb Recording Indicating Blind Devices Element Point Probe Glass Device Element
A Analysis ARC AIC AC AR AI ASH ASL ASHL ART AIT AT AY AE AP AW AV
B Burner/Combustion BRC BIC BC BR BI BSH BSL BSHL BRT BIT BT BY BE BW BG BZ
C User’s Choice
D User’s Choice
E Voltage ERC EIC EC ER EI ESH ESL ESHL ERT EIT ET EY EE EZ
F Flow Rate FRC FIC FC FCV, FR FI FSH FSL FSHL FRT FIT FT FY FE FP FG FV
FICV
FQ Flow Quantity FQRC FQIC FQR FQI FQSH FQSL FQIT FQT FQY FQE FQV
FF Flow Ratio FFRC FFIC FFC FFR FFI FFSH FFSL FE FFV
G User’s Choice
H Hand HIC HC HS HV
I Current IRC IIC IR II ISH ISL ISHL IRT IIT IT IY IE IZ
J Power JRC JIC JR JI JSH JSL JSHL JRT JIT JT JY JE JV
K Time KRC KIC KC KCV KR KI KSH KSL KSHL KRT KIT KT KY KE KV
L Level LRC LIC LC LCV LR LI LSH LSL LSHL LRT LIT LT LY LE LW LG LV
M User’s Choice
N User’s Choice
O User’s Choice
P Pressure/ PRC PIC PC PCV PR PI PSH PSL PSHL PRT PIT PT PY PE PP PSV, PV
Vacuum PSE
PD Pressure, PDRC PDIC PDC PDCV PDR PDI PDSH PDSL PDRT PDIT PDT PDY PE PP PDV
Differential
Q Quantity QRC QIC QR QI QSH QSL QSHL QRT QIT QT QY QE QZ
R Radiation RRC RIC RC RR RI RSH RSL RSHL RRT RIT RT RY RE RW RZ
S Speed/Frequency SRC SIC SC SCV SR SI SSH SSL SSHL SRT SIT ST SY SE SV
T Temperature TRC TIC TC TCV TR TI TSH TSL TSHL TRT TIT TT TY TE TP TW TSE TV
TD Temperature, TDRC TDIC TDC TDCV TDR TDI TDSH TDSL TDRT TDIT TDT TDY TE TP TW TDV
Differential
U Multivariable UR UI UY UV
V Vibration/Machinery VR VI VSH VSL VSHL VRT VIT VT VY VE VZ
Analysis
W Weight/Force WRC WIC WC WCV WR WI WSH WSL WSHL WRT WIT WT WY WE WZ
WD Weight/Force, WDRC WDIC WDC WDCV WDR WDI WDSH WDSL WDRT WDIT WDT WDY WE WDZ
Differential
X Unclassified
Y Event/State/Presence YIC YC YR YI YSH YSL YT YY YE YZ
Z Position/Dimension ZRC ZIC ZC ZCV ZR ZI ZSH ZSL ZSHL ZRT ZIT ZT ZY ZE ZV
ZD Gaging/Deviation ZDRC ZDIC ZDC ZDCV ZDR ZDI ZDSH ZDSL ZDRT ZDIT ZDT ZDY ZDE ZDV
Note: This table is not all-inclusive. Other Possible Combinations:
*A, alarm, the annunciating device, may be used in the same FO (Restriction Orifice) PFR (Ratio)
fashion as S, switch, the actuating device. FRK, HIK (Control Stations) KQI (Running Time Indicator)
FX (Accessories) QQI (Indicating Counter)
**The letters H and L may be omitted in the undefined case. TJR (Scanning Recorder) WKIC (Rate-of-Weight-Loss Controller)
LLH (Pilot Light) HMS (Hand Momentary Switch)
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Instrument Line Symbols

On any drawing, symbols should remain consistent throughout the drawing to avoid confusion.
Typical line symbols are shown with a lighter-weight line than are process lines.

In identifying an electric signal, the user should choose either the dashed-line symbol or the tri-
ple cross-hatch symbol and apply it consistently (the author prefers the dashed-line symbol).
On any given set of documents internal consistency is strongly recommended. Instrument line
symbols are shown in figure 2-2 and are taken from ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992).

Figure 2-2
Instrument Line Symbols

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General Instrument or Function Symbols

General instrument or function symbols identify the location and function of an instrument.
They are shown in figure 2-3 and are taken from ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992).

Figure 2-3
General instrument or function symbols

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Examples of how symbols should be used are shown in figure 2-4. Figure 2-5 shows the degree
of detail typically shown on a diagram.

Figure 2-4a
Examples of symbol usage.

FG
23
F0
TWO INSTRUMENTS SHARING 21 FLOW SIGHT GLASS
A COMMON HOUSING
RESTRICTION ORIFICE

FI FT
17 20
FE
4

FLOW ELEMENT FLOW ELEMENT INTEGRAL

WITH ELECTRONIC
VARIABLE AREA TRANSMITTER
FLOW INDICATOR

TO PNEUMATIC HC FI
FT FSL VALVE OR 300 402
107 HIC OTHER FT
107 HV
4 RECEIVER 402
FAL 300
107
FC FE
FIELD MOUNTED FLOW 402
SWITCH (FSL-107) ACTUATING FIELD MOUNTED MANUAL
LOW-FLOW ALARM (FAL-107) LOADING STATION WITH MANUAL LOADING STATION (HC-300)
OUTPUT GAGE WITHOUT OUTPUT GAGE AND
SHARING A COMMON HOUSING
WITH A FLOW RECEIVER
INDICATOR (FI-402)

T T
A A LT
LI N
N 9 11
K K PT
106
PRESSURE TRANSMITTER
ELECTRONIC LEVEL WITH PNEUMATIC OUTPUT
LEVEL INDICATOR, TRANSMITTER,
WITH TWO CONNECTIONS WITH ONE CONNECTION

Identification and Symbols 17

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Figure 2-4b
Examples of symbol usage.

TE TI TI
7 8 9

TEMPERATURE ELEMENT BIMETALLIC-TYPE

WITH WELL (ELEMENT FILLED-SYSTEM-TYPE THERMOMETER, GLASS
NOT CONNECTED TO TEMPERATURE INDICATOR THERMOMETER, OR OTHER
SECONDARY INSTRUMENT) WITH WELL LOCAL TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR

TSH TSL
TT TIC 100 100
FC
101 101 TAHL
TV 100
101
COMMON ALARM ANNUNCIATOR
TEMPERATURE CONTROL LOOP FOR HIGH- AND LOW-
TEMPERATURE

PI PI
PI 18 16
17
WITH PRESSURE LEAD LINE LINE-MOUNTED
PRESSURE INDICATOR CONNECTED TO PRESSURE INDICATOR,
DIAPHRAGM SEAL WITH FILLED SYSTEM DIRECT-CONNECTED

GAS FLOW
FV
111
FT PT TT
111 108 117 MASS FC
FLOW
FY FIC
111 111
MASS-FLOW COMPUTATION PERFORMED BY MASS-FLOW COMPUTING RELAY FY-111
HAVING LINEAR INPUTS FOR PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE AND A NON-LINEAR
INPUT FOR FLOW

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Figure 2-4c
Examples of symbol usage.
VALVE BODIES AND DAMPERS

GENERAL SYMBOL ANGLE BUTTERFLY ROTARY VALVE

HV
3

THREE-WAY HAND CONTROL

FOUR-WAY GLOBE VALVE IN SIGNAL LINE

DIAPHRAGM DAMPER OR LOUVER

FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE ADDED ADJACENT TO THE BODY SYMBOL EITHER BY
NOTE OR CODE NUMBER

PCV PCV
4 5

BACKPRESSURE BACKPRESSURE REGULATOR

REGULATOR, WITH EXTERNAL
SELF-CONTAINED PRESSURE TAP

PSV
7 PSE
PSE
14
13

RUPTURE DISK OR RUPTURE DISK OR

PRESSURE RELIEF OR SAFETY HEAD FOR
SAFETY VALVE, SAFETY HEAD FOR
PRESSURE RELIEF VACUUM RELIEF
GENERAL SYMBOL

Identification and Symbols 19

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Figure 2-5
Example showing the degree of detail.
LIC LAHL
940

V2
FC

V3
940

940
FV
LT

LV

V1

AE pH
941
0818
TK

941
AT
RETURN
HOT OIL
920
TT

920
TE
FIC FAHL

900
FV
X

900B

900

FC
FY

900
FE
900A

900
FY

FT

AIC AAH
FROM FY-901A

f(t)

901C
901B

941
FY

FY

HOT OIL
20 The Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control 3rd Edition