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IEC 60617 electrical symbols
IEC 60617 is the international standard for graphical symbols on electrical diagrams, used in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and on most international projects. Every symbol in it has a number, such as S00555 for the resistor.
- Full title
- IEC 60617, Graphical symbols for diagrams
- Form
- An online database maintained by the IEC, replacing the earlier printed parts
- Symbol numbers
- Each symbol has an identity number starting with S, such as S00227 for a make contact
- In Europe
- Adopted as EN 60617
- Reference designation
- IEC 81346-2 letter codes, such as K for relays, Q for switching devices and F for protection
Passive components IEC 60617
About passive componentsSemiconductors IEC 60617
About semiconductorsSwitches and relays IEC 60617
About switches and relays- SPST switchMake contact, switchS00227
- SPDT switchChange-over contactS00230
- Push button (NO)Push-button switch, make contact
- Push button (NC)Push-button switch, break contact
- Relay coilOperating device (coil), general symbolS00305
- Normally open contactMake contactS00227
- Normally closed contactBreak contactS00229
Power, protection and ground IEC 60617
About power, protection and groundLoads, meters and wiring IEC 60617
About loads, meters and wiringHow IEC schematics draw things
- A resistor is a plain rectangle, and a fuse a rectangle with the wire through it.
- Contacts are hinged blades: a make contact drawn open, a break contact resting against a fixed contact.
- A relay coil is a rectangle, and the operator of a push button is linked to its contact by a dashed line.
- A lamp is a circle with a cross, and a circuit breaker a switch with a cross on its fixed contact.
- Contacts are shown in their normal state, and every device is identified by its reference designation.
Compare each symbol with IEEE 315 on IEC vs ANSI electrical symbols.
Reference designation letters (IEC 81346-2)
| Letter | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| K | Processing signals | Relays, timers, controllers |
| Q | Controlling the flow of energy | Contactors, circuit breakers, switches in power circuits |
| F | Protecting | Fuses, overload relays, surge protection |
| S | Turning a manual action into a signal | Push buttons, selector switches |
| M | Providing mechanical energy | Motors |
| G | Initiating a flow of energy | Generators, batteries |
| P | Presenting information | Indicator lamps, meters |
| R | Restricting or stabilising | Resistors, diodes |
| C | Storing | Capacitors |
| X | Connecting | Terminals, plugs and sockets |
Older drawings use the earlier IEC 60750 and DIN 40719 letters, which differ in places (H for lamps, for example). Check the drawing legend.
Frequently asked questions
What is IEC 60617?
The international standard for graphical symbols on electrical diagrams, kept as an online database by the IEC, with every symbol numbered.
What is the IEC symbol for a resistor?
A plain rectangle, symbol S00555. The zigzag is the US (IEEE 315) form.
What do the S numbers in IEC 60617 mean?
They are the identity numbers of the symbols in the IEC 60617 database, such as S00227 for a make contact and S00362 for a fuse.
What does K1 mean on an IEC schematic?
K is the reference designation letter for relays and other devices that process signals, so K1 is relay number 1. Its coil and contacts all carry K1.
- In production since 2014
- Thousands of daily users
- On MODEC FPSO projects since 2016
The symbols on this page were drawn by Deskely and are free to use. Standards are revised and every project issues its own legend sheets, which take precedence.