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COURSE OIL AND GAS TECHNOLOGY CODE
SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS P/TM/TRG/[Link]/001
Objectives: Upon finishing this unit the trainees should be able to:
• Outline a typical identification system
• Recognize the most common instrument symbols and their meanings
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Outline of the identification system
3. Functional identification
4. Symbols in process control
5. Symbol recognition
5.1. Flow
5.2. Level
5.3. Pressure
5.4. Temperature
5.5. Final Control Element
5.6. Miscellaneous symbols
6. Summary
ANNEX 1: A typical P & ID Legend Sheet
Prepared by Danial Checked by Yeganeh Approved by T.T.F
Ghasempour Larijani
Date 5/17/00 Date 5/30/00 Date 5/30/00
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SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
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INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
1. INTRODUCTION
Every scientific and technical subject develops a specialized language for transferring
information and ideas. The language usually includes words, abbreviations and symbols
that are unique to that particular subject. Anyone who is learning a technical subject must
also learn the language of that subject. This includes the symbols and abbreviations. For
the subject of industrial process instrumentation, a set of codes and symbols has been
developed to provide a satisfactory system of instrument identification and to make
instrumentation drawings and layouts more consistent. Once you become familiar with
these codes and symbols, it will be much easier to understand instrument drawings and
systems. It should be noted that in past years there have been a number of different
coding systems such as those developed by the Scientific Apparatus Makers Association
(S.A.M.A.). In more recent years the codes preferred, were those developed by the
Instrument Society of America (I.S.A.). These codes have been generally accepted into
the International codes and standards. The codes and symbols used in this unit will be
examples taken from the I.S.A. system. Practically, it is always wise to look at the
instrument legend before attempting to read Instrument diagrams.
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SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
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2. OUTLINE OF THE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
Each instrument shall be identified first by a system of letters. These are used to classify
the instruments functionally. They give information regarding what type of variable is being
measured or controlled and what function the instrument is performing. To identify the
instrument loop, a number is joined to the letters. This number will usually be common to
other instruments of the loop of which the instrument is a part. Sometimes a suffix (extra
letter) is added after the number to complete the loop identification.
P RC 302 A
Succeeding Loop Suffix
First letter
Letters Number (Usually not needed)
Functional identification Loop identification
Instrument Identification
or
Tag Number
Table 2.1 - System For Identifying Instrument Symbols
The instrument tag number may include coded information such as the plant area location.
Each instrument may be represented on a diagram by a symbol. The symbol may also
have identification.
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3. FUNCTIONAL IDENTIFICATION
The functional identification of an instrument shall be made up of letters taken from Table
3.1 on the next page. The code shall include one first letter, covering the measured or
initiating variable followed by succeeding letters that cover the functions of the instrument.
An exception to this rule is the use of the letter 'L' to denote a pilot light that is not part of
an instrument loop.
The functional identification of an instrument shall be made according to the function of the
instrument and not according to the construction. A typical example is when a differential
pressure recorder is used to record rates of flow. It will then be identified as a flow
recorder even though it is actually measuring differential pressure. Another example is
when a pressure switch is connected to the output of a pneumatic level transmitter. The
pressure switch (PS) shall be identified as a level switch (LS) because the pressure
change at the switch is due to a change in the level transmitter output.
In an instrument loop, the first letter of the functional identification shall be selected
according to the measured or initiating variable and not according to the manipulated
variable. An example is when a flow control valve is used to control liquid level. The valve
is called a level control valve (LCV) and not a flow control valve (FCV).
The succeeding letters of the functional identification are assigned one or more readout or
indicating functions or output functions or both. A modifying letter may be used if required
in addition to one or more other succeeding letters.
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MEANINGS OF IDENTIFICATION LETTERS
This table applies only to the functional identification of Instruments
FIRST LETTER SUCCEEDING LETTERS
MEASURED OR READOUT OR OUTPUT
MODIFIER MODIFIER
INITIATING VARIABLE PASSIVE FUNCTION FUNCTION
A Analysis Alarm
B Burner Flame User's choice User's choice User's choice
Conductivity
C Control
(Electrical.)
Density (Mass) or
D Differential
Specific Gravity
E Voltage (EMF) Primary Element
F Flow Rate Ratio/Fraction
G Gauging Glass
Hand
H High
(Manually initiated)
I Current (Electrical) Indicate
J Power Scan
K Time or Schedule Control Station
L Level Light (Pilot) Low
Middle or
M Moisture or Humidity
Intermediate
N User's choice User's choice User's choice User's choice
O User's choice Orifice/Restriction
Point
P Pressure or Vacuum
(Test connection)
Integrate or
Q Quantity or event
Totalize
R Radioactivity Record or Print
S Speed or Frequency Safety Switch
T Temperature Transmit
U Multivariable Multifunction Multifunction Multifunction
Valve, Damper
V Viscosity
or Louver
W Weight or Force Well
X Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified
Relay or
Y User's choice
Compute
Drive, Actuate
or unclassified
Z Position
final control
element
Table 3.1 - Meanings of identification letters
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In drawings, tag numbers are placed in circles called balloons. The following diagram
shows the standard balloon arrangements.
Fig. 3.1 - Balloon arrangements
Note that the functional identification is always in the top half of the balloon while the loop
number is in the bottom half. A solid line drawn across the center of the balloon indicates a
board-mounted instrument. A broken line across the center of the balloon indicates a
behind the board mounted instrument. A balloon with no centerline indicates that the
instrument is local or field mounted (i.e. local to the plant and not on a panel board).
When two balloons are touching, multiple functions are indicated. A typical example of this
would be a multi point recorder where the recorder had pens to record pressure
temperature and flow. In this case there would be three balloons touching, each with its
respective tag number. If the instrument is board mounted, there may be a small number
on the outside of the balloon. This identifies the control board where the instrument is
located.
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SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
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4. SYMBOLS IN PROCESS CONTROL
Different types of process control signals are used in industrial instrumentation. Process
control signals can be any of the following types:
• Pneumatic.
• Electronic.
• Hydraulic.
• Sonic.
• Indication radioactivity.
Each type has a different symbol as shown below.
Fig. 4.1 - Instrument connecting lines
Fig. 4.2 - Typical heat exchanger control loops
Figure 4.2 shows a typical diagram for a process heat exchanger. In this diagram the
steam flows to the heat exchanger to heat the process fluid. Note that various primary
elements and different types of signals are used. To demonstrate applications, electronic
and pneumatic signals are shown. Board mounted recorder FR 100 has an electronic input
while board mounted TRC 102 has a pneumatic input. Board mounted TRC 101 has a
filled or thermal system input.
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Studying a drawing similar to the heat exchanger diagram can learn a lot of information
about both process and instrumentation. The combined loops measuring steam flow
(FR 102) and steam pressure (PR 103) show how symbols are applied. For example, note
how the locally mounted transmitter FT 102 sends a signal to board mounted recorder
FR 102. The number 1 identifies the board location. Similar information from the pressure
loop (PT 103 and PR 103) includes the fact that the downstream pressure is recorded.
When compressible fluids (gas, air, vapor, or steam) are measured, the use of upstream
or downstream pressure will noticeably affect the final quantity or volume that is calculated
from the recording charts. The solid line joining the pressure transmitter to the process is
positioned on the exchange side of the orifice, meaning the downstream pressure is
recorded. In flow loop 100 the flow element or primary measuring element is not the same
as the one used in the steam loop. The arrow with the letter "P" (P stands for purge)
shows that the process fluid is either scale forming or a type of fluid that must not come
into contact with the wet parts of the transmitter. The output signal is electronic and not
pneumatic. In the temperature loop the final control element is a valve. The "FO" by the
symbol shows that the valve will be "Fail Open" if the air signal fails or if the valve
diaphragm bursts. The second balloon attached to the TRC (TS 101) means a
pen-activated switch is used to actuate a TAL (Temperature alarm low), which is also
located on the central control board or panel.
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5. SYMBOL RECOGNITION
If you are to determine the meanings of loop connections, you should be able to recognize
symbols representing primary and final devices. Primary devices for the main process
variables (i.e. flow, level, pressure and temperature) are shown in the following primary
element diagrams. Other final and primary elements exist in addition to those shown.
However, if you can understand the symbols shown here, the others will be easy to
recognize.
5.1. Flow
Much time and effort has gone into designing standard symbols that look similar to the
actual operating mechanism. For example, FE 9 clearly shows some form of propeller
device while FE 6 shows some form of restriction to the flow line.
Fig. 5.1.1 - Primary elements for flow
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5.2. Level
The diagram below shows that level symbols and actual installations are fairly similar.
Note the difference between LT 18 and LT 19. LT 18 has differential taps applied to a
closed or pressurized vessel while LT 19 is piped to an open or atmospheric vessel. Note
also that the low-pressure side is vented to atmosphere.
Fig. 5.2.1 - Primary elements for level
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SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
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5.3. Pressure
The diagram below shows some applications of pressure measurement common in
process instrumentation. In P 28 the direction of flow is shown where the pressure
measurement is taken. In this system the downstream pressure is measured. If the
process requirements were such that the upstream pressure needed to be measured the
flow arrow would be reversed or the PT would be placed on the opposite leg of the FT.
Fig. 5.3.1 - Primary elements for pressure
5.4. Temperature
In the diagram below, "TW" s (Test wells) are included with the primary elements. For
example, primary element TR 31 indicates a temperature recorder that is directly
connected to a process pipe by a filled thermal system. A “TW" is usually installed within
250 to 300 mm of the thermal element. The test well is used to test installed instruments
for accuracy without removing or replacing the primary element.
Fig. 5.4.1 - Primary elements for temperature
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SUBJECT INSTRUMENT SYMBOLS
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5.5. Final control elements
Valves, the final devices in a control loop are shown in the diagram below. While valves
are the most common final elements, other types are also used. These include damper
drives, speed controls or other types of positioning hardware. Notice that any of the
actuators can be used with any of the bodies shown. Usually, you can use only the
simplest symbols on many drawings and reserve the detailed specifications for instrument
loop diagrams.
Fig. 5.5.1 - Final control elements
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5.6. Miscellaneous symbols
The diagram below shows other frequently used symbols. Because many of these
symbols will be found in our piping and instrument drawings, it is important that you
become familiar with them.
Fig. 5.6.1 - Miscellaneous symbols
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6. SUMMARY
An instrument identification system should include the following:
• Tag numbers to define process function and instrument location.
• Symbols to identify pneumatic, electronic, capillary, hydraulic, sonic or radioactivity
process control signals.
• Symbols to represent primary and final control devices that govern flow, level,
pressure and temperature.
Four types of drawings are used in process control systems:
• Piping and instrument drawings (P & IDs.) as the basis of any process design.
• Location drawings to indicate the position of installed instrument equipment.
• Installation drawings to provide details of components and instrument positions.
• Loop diagrams for calibration and trouble shooting purposes.
As noted in the Introduction, there are other symbols published, so before trying to read
instrument diagrams, make sure you study the instrument legend first.