What is this published document about?
In 1999, the IEC stopped printing its reference standard on the graphical symbols for use on electrical equipment, and introduced an online database instead. This is accessed by subscription only. It is cost effective for frequent users, but an expensive approach for people who don’t need to access the symbols very often.
As an alternative, PD 60417 SNAPSHOT was produced. It takes the form of a one-off PDF download obtained with a single purchase. It supplies a ‘snapshot’ of all the symbols in the IEC database at the time of publication.
Who is this published document for?
- Manufacturers of electrical equipment
- Designers, suppliers and testers of electrical equipment
- Purchasers, distributors and importers of electrical equipment
- Retailers and users
- Technical writers who prepare user and technical manuals
- Companies and developers of software packages that prepare documentation or drawings (such as CAD)
Why should you use this published document?
The document includes the universal symbols required for use on electrical equipment, covering the symbols and hazard warnings required. Text is included which gives guidance on the use of the symbols. As such it will be of prime interest to designers and manufacturers of a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment, both consumer and industrial.
The document provides subscription-free access to:
- A portable library of symbols and hazard warnings for equipment
- A general indication of function or purpose for controls on equipment
- A self-contained resource that can be used even when ‘off-line’
- Easy copying of the symbols
- Easy transfer of symbols to other documents
The PDF format also allows users to search for the symbols required, quickly and easily.
The symbols (and their descriptive text) may be down loaded in *.PDF format – in the same format when accessed via the IEC database proper – and imported into CAD by saving the down loaded PDF in *.TIFF format; (Adobe reader packages have this option as standard). The .TIFF file can often be imported into CAD systems.
NOTE: It’s intended that PD 60417 SS is renewed from time to time to reflect changes in the database; however the IEC database is and will remain the prime source. This ‘snapshot’ will not reflect changes made to the IEC after its publication date.