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P&ID Diagram Basics

Purpose, Owner & Contents

Summary
Hello, this is the first part of a series of articles related to P&ID diagrams. I have created these
articles with young engineers in mind who want to learn more about this representation system. I
hope you like it and want to read more! Thank you.

Overview
If you are interested to know more about subjects like Standards and Guidelines read our free
introduction to these concepts in our article P&ID Diagram Basics – Part 2 – International
Standards.

If you are interested to know more about subjects like Functional Identification and Instrument
Numbering read our free introduction to these concepts in our article P&ID Diagram Basics – Part
3 – Functional Identification and Naming Conventions.

P&ID Diagram

Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) are of fundamental importance in process automation
and process industry. It gives an overall view of the entire process loop of the facility. The
Automation, Systems and Instrumentation Dictionary, 4th edition’s definition for a Piping and
Instrumentation Drawing (P&ID) tells what they do, P&IDs “show the interconnection of process
equipment and the instrumentation used to control the process”.

They are used as an element of communication between engineering, plant operation,

maintenance and construction, since they show detail information of the plant relating to
equipment, pipeline, instrumentation and common services. P&ID must be maintained accurately
and updated.

The creation of the instrumentation diagram or P&ID constitutes an important phase in the
design of a process plant.

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It is a diagram of the systems / equipment present in a section of the plant.

It shows the necessary graphical elements to execute, monitor and control specific processes.

The P&ID diagram does not describe the chemical reactions involved in the process nor does it
describe procedures of the same.

It is an essential document in the process industry.

Any change made in the process must be reflected in the diagram, for example if an additional
pump is installed, it is important because your safety and that of your collaborators could depend
on this action.

From the point of view of the control, they show information related to the control loops, although it
is not always possible to represent the entire control structure. To maintain clarity and save space
in these diagrams, the complex logic is not shown, it is shown in the logic diagrams ISA-5.2-1976
(R1992).

From engineering point of view, Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) are the foundation
of the E/I&C (electrical/instrumentation and control) engineering package of deliverables.

A P&ID is a diagram that shows condensed information from multiple specialties.

This type of documents (the P&ID diagrams) show, from the point of view of the process, different
measures such as pressure, flow, level, etc. and their respective control schemes in relation to the
elements of the plant and its interconnection pipes. These elements (mechanical equipment,
piping, piping components, valves, equipment drivers and instrumentation and controls) are
represented by symbols and labels. A standard set of symbols is used to prepare drawings of
control systems and processes. Symbols have been developed to represent all of the components
used in industrial processing, and have been standardized by ANSI and ISA.

The process equipment is shown using basically symbols such as bubbles (circles or balloons) and
others to indicate valves, actuators, flow meters, etc.

These symbols are assembled on the drawing in a manner that clearly defines the process.

The symbols used in these diagrams are based on the following standards:

 Standard ANSI / ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992) Symbols and identification of instrumentation, this

standard was developed by ISA-The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society
(ISA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
 Standard ISA–5.3–1983, Graphic Symbols for Distributed Control/Shared Display
Instrumentation Logic, and Computer Systems.

In some cases, the control schemes are too complex to be shown in a P&ID diagram, in this case,
independent functional control diagrams are created.

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ISA vs SAMA symbology

For the design of specific diagrams, it is possible to use the ISA symbology or SAMA symbology
(The Association of Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers withdrew and no longer supports its
standards, they are available only for historical purposes and general information).

Although the P&ID is the overall document used to define the process, the first document
developed in the evolution of a process design is often the PFD (Process Flow Diagrams), the
Process Flow Diagram. Once a PFD is released for detail design, the project scope has been
established and P&ID development may commence.

1.1. The acronym “P&ID”

Pronounced as P.N.I.D

There is no universal standard that specifies the meaning of the letters P&ID. Usually, for example,
the “P” in P&ID can mean Pipe, Plant or Process. The “I” refers to Instrument or Instrumentation.
The “D” is for Drawing or Diagram.

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P&ID Diagram Basics

Although the final format is the same for all cases, the different names given to this type
of diagram are shown below:

 Pipe Diagrams and Instrumentation Diagram

 Process and Instrumentation Diagram
 Piping and Instrumentation Diagram

In this post, for simplicity, we will refer to the document by the acronym, P&ID.

Purpose
The objective of the P&ID diagram is to show the necessary information in order to understand the
relationship between the conceptual design of the process, developed through the PFD and
HMB diagrams, with reality.

PFD and HMB have only a minimum of information related to the physical aspects of the pipeline or
the instrumentation of a system. The P&ID provides the link between the conceptual and the
actual.

Chemical Plant

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2.1. At design stage:

 Defines the design basis for Piping and Instrumentation disciplines. It is used as a document
that defines the base process, from which all the engineering, manufacturing, construction
and operation will be developed.
 Serves to show and agree the operating and maintenance features between Engineer and
Owner or between Engineer and Vendor.
 Serves to show the interface with equipment/package vendors.
 Perform HAZOP design/review. It is used as a reference document for the management of
process safety information (PSI) in Process Safety Management (PSM).It allows obtaining
the necessary information to be able to analyze the hazards of the process, the potential
failures and the existing safeguards in order to minimize the greatest number of errors in
operation, design or humans.

2.2. During operation:

 Reference diagram for operator, work permit, plant modifications etc.
 Process technicians use P&IDs to identify all of the equipment, instruments, and piping
found in their units.
 New operators or technicians use these drawings during their initial training period. Knowing
and recognizing these symbols is important for a new operator/technician.
 Train Process Operators. Part of the training would pose situations and require the
operators to be able to describe what specific valve should be changed, how it should be
changed, and what to observe in order to monitor the effects of the change.
 Support document in the development of operation and maintenance procedures.
 Development of start-up/stop procedures where the plant is not under the influence of the
installed process control systems.
 During SAT, as a checklist against which each item in the plant is checked.
 Instrumentation and Control Systems Maintenance. The process and instrumentation or
piping and Instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is probably the document most used by
instrumentation and control system maintenance personnel.
 Instrumentation engineering. The P&ID diagram is the main and almost ideal document to
synthesize all required measurement and control functions.

The P&ID is the last stage of the design of the plant, and therefore serves as a guide for those who
will be responsible for the final design and construction. Based on this diagram:

 Mechanical engineers and civil engineers will design and install pieces of equipment.
 Instrument engineers will specify, install, and check control systems.
 Piping engineers will develop plant layout and elevation drawings.
 Project engineers will develop plant and construction schedules.

Owner
The P&ID is the daughter of the Process Flow Diagram (PFD), a mechanical discipline product,
and the heat and material balance (HMB) sheet, a process engineering product.

They are usually constituted by process engineers and control engineers during the design and
construction of the plant, with the process engineers being the persons authorized to validate the
changes.

The “owner” of the P&ID is usually the Process Engineer or Operation Responsible.

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This individual or group coordinates the information that is placed in the diagram to ensure that it is
consistent with the purpose of the document.

This coordination is required to regulate the information provided by the different departments
towards this document.

Below is a list of some of the different specialties within the engineering that provide information for
it to be reflected in this diagram:

 Process Engineering: diagram content, process data, vendor equipment depiction.

 Mechanical Engineering: pipe ID (identification, not inside diameter) numbers, equipment
numbers and labels, graphical depiction of equipment and piping.
 Instrumentation Engineering: instrument numbers; graphical presentation of instruments and
instrument wiring/tubing, Type of Instruments.
 Controls/Systems Engineering: control logic depictions, Communications among Control
Systems.
 Electrical Engineering: motor ratings, motor wiring depictions.

Usually the creation and maintenance of this type of diagram is the responsibility of the
mechanical department.

4.1. Contents
A P&ID diagram a complex representation of the various production units found in a plant.

It is used by people from different disciplines.

The main users of the document after the start-up of the plant are the process technicians and
instrument and electrical, mechanical, safety, and engineering personnel.

This section will aid in solving the long existing and continuing problem of confusing information
on P&IDs. The fact that there is confusion can be understood because there really is no universal,
national or international, multidiscipline standard that covers the development and content
of P&ID and specifies what information should be included on a P&ID or even, for that matter, the
meaning of the letters P&ID.

All control function directly connected to the process shall be shown on P&ID.

The P&ID diagram a graphic index of all the main process equipment, and all the main sections of
pipe instruments, and shows their functional relationships.

P&ID typically show the following types of information:

The process / pipping part includes:

 Major and minor equipment present in process/plant such as vessels, drums, pumps,
reactors … showing
o Name and Number
o Location
o Capacity
o Pressure
o Liquid Level
o Usage
o Spare units
o Parallel units
o Summary details of each unit

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 All piping and transport equipments for process and utility fluids. Including
o Specification of Materials of construction
o Identification of the pipe
o Flow directions
o Size of the pipe, Schedule (thickness)
o Insulation (thickness and type). Information relative to insulation (hot or cold) and
tracing of pipes or equipments.
o Safety devices.
o Include Drains, Sample Connections

The Electrical & Instrumentation part includes:

 All motors, giving voltage, power, and other relevant information like buttons used to control
them.
 All required function to control the process like Indicators, Recorders, Controllers, including:
o Measurement technology (graphical symbols of instruments)
o Location of instrument
o Major function
o Process control loop number
o Range
o System used to perform automation task (local instrument, DCS, PLC…)
 All control valves, giving
o Type of control
o Type of valve
o Type of valve action
o Fail-save features
o Actuator technology (graphical symbols of valves)
o Communication link between instruments systems and actuators (electric, digital
pneumatic/hydraulic).
o Flow and pressure information
 Self-controlled valves
 Main instruments required to perform these functions (Essential items to understand the
functionalities required).
 All safety valves and pressure regulators, giving temperature and operating ranges
 Interlocks and safety related functions

According to plant size, it will be represented on one to many P&I diagrams. Generally, plants are
divided in several areas, each area corresponding to one or more P&IDs diagrams. It is
recommended to extend the P&ID approach for other parts or system than Process.

 Fire and Gas detection systems: P&I based on Layout drawings showing gas, fire or smoke
detectors, emergency button …
 Fire protection systems
 Package equipments
 Analyzers

4.2. Conventions in Constructing Piping and Instrumentation

Diagrams

There are no universal standards that address the format to be used in developing P&IDs. The
format used by most design groups has been developed over many years. However, here are a
few guidelines that serve as a simplistic de facto standard:

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 The devices are represented as icons. An item is shown only in one P&ID.
 Normally the plant layout of the equipment as well as the PFD is shown from left to right.
 The process flows from the left of the P&ID to the right.
 P&IDs are developed as “D” size sheets (22″ x 34″) or larger, but should be legible when
reduced to “B” size (11″ x 17″) for ease of use in the office and in the field.
 P&IDs should show sufficient information to define the process without crowding. One to
three pieces of equipment with auxiliaries is normally sufficient for one P&ID.
 P&ID diagrams do not usually use colors to indicate or convey their meaning. Colors are
used at the design level in a monitor but are usually printed in black and white.
 To reduce clutter, a typical detail can be used for repeated components (see the “typical
drain” on Figure 2-21).
 When piping gets complex, auxiliary P&IDs are used.
 Add notes for understanding and clarity.
 Show relative sizes of equipment, but do not include specific elevations or dimensions. They
do not show the scale of the elements or their geometry. They also do not show information
regarding the orientation of the team or its actual location.
 Every set of P&IDs should include a legend sheet, or sheets, to define the symbols and
abbreviations used.
 The free space on a P&ID should facilitate addition of future process changes; it is best not
to start with congested P&IDs.
 The pneumatic piping is shown where the information is important to communicate the
functionality of the controls, and the information of the electrical wiring is presented (in the
form of dotted lines) to communicate the functional intention to the electrical and
instrumentation disciplines.

ISA – Instrument Society of America

Instrument Society of America

ANSI/ISA-5.1-2009, Instrument Symbols and Identification, is

generally used in the instrumentation and control field to
document projects/assets

This standard a person with a basic knowledge about process control to understand
what measurements are available in the installation and understand how control over the
process works by interpreting the documents and drawings of the process.

One important function the standard performs is to provide a standard list of line symbols to be
used in the documentation process.

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ANSI/ISA-5.1-2009 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification latest version has significant

changes over the previous version ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992). This release includes new and evolving
Instrument Technology, Control Systems and Computer Networks.

The latest version of American standard ANSI/ISA-5.1, Instrumentation Symbols and Identification,
is approved by Standards and Practices Board of International Society of Automation (ISA) in 2009.
This standard describes the instrumentation symbols and their identification systems.
This standard introduces a consistent mechanism that comprises identification schemes and
graphic symbols in order to describe and identify instruments and process items and their
functions. The ISA standard is widely applied in commercial process software, which is used
for measuring, monitoring and controlling actual process production (ISA, 2009).

ANSI/ISA-S5.5-1985 Graphic Symbols for Process Displays

The purpose of this standard to establish a system of graphic symbols for displays that are
used by plant operators process measurement and control. The system is intended to promote:

a. the fullest and quickest comprehension by the operators of the information that is to be
conveyed through the display, and
b. uniformity of practice throughout the process industries.

Resulting benefits are intended to be

a. a decrease of operator errors,

b. a shortening of operator training, and
c. generally better and easier matching of the information–transmission intent
of control system designers with the reception and interpretation of results by
plant operators.

The standard suitable for use in the chemical, petroleum, power generation, air conditioning,
metal refining, and numerous other industries.

ISA (1983) S5.3 Graphic Symbols for Distributed Control and

Shared Display Instrumentation Logic an Computer Systems
The purpose of this standard is to establish documentation for that class of instrumentation
consisting of computers, programmable controllers, minicomputers and microprocessor-
based systems that have shared control, shared display or other interface features. Symbols are
provided for interfacing field instrumentation, control room instrumentation and other hardware
to the above. Terminology is defined in the broadest generic form to describe the various
categories of these devices.

It is not the intent of this standard to mandate the use of each type symbol for each occurrence of
a generic device within the overall control system. Such usage could result in undue complexity
in the case of a Piping and Instrument Drawing (P&ID). If, for example, a computer component is
an integral part of a distributed control system, the use of the computer symbol would normally be
an undesirable redundancy. If, however, a separate general purpose computer is interfaced with
the system, the inclusion of the computer symbol may provide the degree of clarity needed for
control system understanding.

This standard attempts to provide the users with defined symbolism and rules for usage,
which may be applied as needed to provide sufficient clarity of intent. The extent to which
these symbols are applied to various types of drawings remains with the users.
The symbols may be as simple or complex as needed to define the process.

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DIN – Deutsches Institut für Normung :

DIN LOGO

DIN 19227 Part 1 – Control Technology – Graphical Symbols and

Identifying Letters for Process Control Engineering – Symbolic
Representation for Functions
This document defines graphical symbols for the basic representation of process instrumentation
and controls including conventional measurement and control equipment. This standard applied to
the preparation of design documentation for process control engineering incorporates existing
measurement, operation, and control instrumentation (DIN, 1993).

This standard is issued by German Institute for Standardization.

DIN 19227 Part 2 – Control Technology – Graphical Symbols and

Identifying Letters for Process Control Engineering –
Representation of Details
This standard deals with the detailed representation of the functions as specified in DIN 19227-1.
This standard is issued by German Institute for Standardization.

DIN 40700-40717

Set of standards designed to deal with the representation of several standard graphical symbols.
This set of standard are issued by German Institute for Standardization.

PIP -Process Industry Practices:

PIP LOGO

PIP PIC001 (2008) Piping and Instrumentation Diagram

Documentation Criteria

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Process Industry Practice – PIC001 (2008) “Piping and Instrumentation Diagram Documentation
Criteria” has symbols for Process Piping and Equipment as well as Basic Instrumentation
Symbology.

This standard contains symbols for pipes and process equipment, as well as
basic instrumentation symbology, and we can use this document to create a complete P&ID.

The PIP standard ( PIC001) is related to the ISA standard ( S5.1), since it uses the
same instrument symbols defined by ISA, although it is advisable to use both standards to allow
a more up-to-date representation of the different control systems.
These standards are complementary and the use of both allows us to define a more complete
and easier to understand P&ID diagram.

The industry group Process Industry Practices (PIP) is an association of a series of member
companies, with the aim to harmonize the internal standards of member companies
for design, construction, and maintenance. It establishes a set of harmonized documents as
“Practices” in various process disciplines such as power, pulp & paper, and pharmaceuticals.

The P&ID standard issued by PIP is enclosed in PIP PIC001, Piping and Instrumentation
Diagram Documentation Criteria, which defines the P&ID format (drawing size, item layout, tag
format, text arrangement, etc.), symbols, drafting rules, and tagging and numbering scheme for
the equipment (tanks, exchangers, pumps, reactors, etc.), piping (piping lines, valves, and fittings),
and instrumentation and controls (controllers, control valves, transmitters, Interlocks, relief
devices).

ISO – International Standards Organization:

International Standards Organization

ISO 14617 – Graphical symbols for use on mechanical

engineering and construction drawings, diagrams, plans, maps
and in relevant technical product documentation

The P&ID standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
technical committees belongs to the standard series ISO 14617, graphical symbols for diagrams.
The purpose of ISO 14617 is to develop a library of the harmonized graphical symbols for diagrams
used in technical applications.

The sections associated to the P&IDs involve:

 14617-3 specifies graphical symbols for functional connections, pipelines, and connection
joints
 14617-4 specifies graphical symbols for basic elements in the actuator, complete actuators,
and actuating devices in diagrams

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 14617-5 and 14617-6 specify graphical symbols for measurement, and control devices and
functions. Specifies symbols for measurement and control loops in diagrams using symbols
and naming conventions.
 14617-8 specifies graphical symbols for valves.

ISO 10628-1- 2014 – Diagrams for the chemical and

petrochemical industry
This standard does not contain instrument and control symbols but defines the physical
sequence of process equipment and systems

BS – British Standard:

BS – British Standard

BS 1646 (1979-1984) Symbolic representation for process

measurement control functions and instrumentation
The main purpose of this standard is define a set of basic symbols for process computer,
interface and shared display/control functions. It is divided in four different parts.

British standard BS 1646 (1-4) has been developed by the Industrial process
measurement and control standards committee of the British Standards Institution (BSI) from
1979 to 1984.

This standard provides a set of symbolic representations for process measurement control
functions, and instrumentation.

The standard is presented in four parts:

 The part 1 and part 2 create a symbol system which involves a series of the graphical
representations describing the functions of measurement and control equipment in
a process. This system only clarifies the identification of the instrument functions without
affording approaches of depicting specific instruments.
 The part 3 specifies instrument symbols, such as signal lines, measurement devices,
for use on interconnection diagrams.
 The part 4 specifies symbols for the representation of the process computer and/or
shared display/control functions in process measurement and control. The symbols can
be used in conjunction with the symbols given in the part 1 and part 2 of BS 1646.

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Related Standards
 BS 3939 British standard
 ANSI Y32.2 American Nacional Standards Institute
 NEMA ICS Nacional Electrical Manufactures Association
 CSA Z99 Canadian Standards Association
 IEC Pub. 117 International Electro-Technical Commission

Functional Identification – General Rules

 All the symbols that appear in a P&ID diagram are formed by combinations of letters and numbers. A certain
amount of judgment is required to establish the most appropriate letter code for an element. Combinations
of letters and numbers appear in each symbol.
 The meaning of the letters of the prefix of the label depend on the position. These letters, in
general, contain enough information to transmit the functionality of the control loop and allow
to understand the meaning of the measurement and control. Sometimes, the code of the letter
is insufficient to give an adequate description of the function of an element, if it is not enough you
can provide additional information, either in a box attached to your bubble or as adjacent text.

P&ID Diagram Functional Identification

 The loop number is unique to each loop. The loop number is typically common to all
instruments within a loop.

If a loop contains two or more elements with the same function they may be distinguished by
means of suffixes.

 All instruments and elements will be identified according to function, and should contain
the loop numbers. The letters are a shorthand way of indicating the type of instrument and
its function in the system. Typically, two or three letters are used. The first letter identifies

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the measured or initiating variable, the second letter is a modifier, and the remaining letters
identify the function.

Letters are a way of define the instrument type and its function in the P&ID Diagram.

 The letter codes must be assigned according to the function. As a general rule,
the functional identification of an instrument will be made according to the function
and not according to its construction. Then we must select the code of the letter taking
into account the function of the element and not by its design or installation. For example,
cell dp in the accompanying figure is designated as a level transmitter LT-S233A instead of
PDT S233A even though it measures differential pressure. ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992), advises
that the identification of the instruments be made according to the function and not to the
construction. It is broad in scope and flexible in usage.

Therefore, a differential pressure transmitter installed in a tank for the level measurement
application would be labeled “LT”, not “PDT”.

 The first letter of a functional identification refers to the measured variable. Therefore,
the valve positioner is designated as FY L81G, although its input is a current and its
output a pressure. This first letter corresponds to the measured variable and, if necessary,
can be qualified by a modifier. Successive letters describe the reading or control functions
of an element and these may have modifiers.

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For example, modifier C changes the measured variable F of FC element L81G in a

controller.

 Rule of thumb – The total number of letters in a tag number should not exceed four.
 According to ISA, it is incorrect to use the letters CV for a function other than a self-
acting control valve.
 In order to keep the P&ID diagrams clear and simple, the complex logic is not shown,
this is shown in the logic diagrams ISA-5.2-1976 (R1992).

Functional Identification – Tagging

The tagging process is well documented process defined in several standards, the typical tag
number consists of two parts:

Functional Identification – Tagging

 a functional identification or prefix

 and a loop number or suffix

Depending on the circumstance, the second letters Indicate and Record can also be used as a
noun, verb, or adjective, i n which case they will appear in text or speech as Indicator, Recorder,
Indicating, and Recording.

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The two-element numbering scheme corresponds to the following format:

Tag

where XXXX is the tag prefix that provides indication of function and YYYY is a sequential
identifier to make the tag unique.

Sometimes a middle element, such as a building number or a process material designator, is

inserted to indicate a process area.

Prefix
The prefix is the important part of the identifier. In the majority of the standards related tagging
methods, the tag prefix letters are position dependent.

The first letter indicates the physical property being measured or controlled (e.g., pressure, flow,
temperature). The first letter of the tag number is normally chosen so that it indicates the measured
variable of the control loop.

In the sample P&ID diagram shown in the above figure, F is the first letter in the tag number that
is used for the instruments in the flow control loop. The functional identification consists of a
first letter (designating the measured or initiating variable; for example, F for Flow, T for
Temperature, etc.).

The second or third letters are modifiers. In the above figure, the F in the first position indicates a
flow control item. FT in the leftmost bubble indicates the item is a flow transmitter. FC is a flow
controller, FY is an I/P transducer, and FV is a flow control valve.

The line across the center of the FC balloon symbol indicates that the controller is mounted on the
front of a main control panel or DCS. No line indicates a field-mounted instrument, and two lines

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means that the instrument is mounted in a local or field-mounted panel. Dashed lines indicate that
the instrument is mounted inside the panel.

Typical letter combinations are shown in the following table, the table is based on ISA-5.1-1984
(R1992):

– FIRST LETTER SUCCEEDING-LETTERS

– MEASURED OR MODIFIER READOUT OR OUTPUT MODIFIER
INITIATING PASSIVE FUNCTION
VARIABLE FUNCTION
A Analysis (5,19) – Alarm – –
B Burner, Combustion – User’s Choice (1) User’s Choice (1) User’s Choice (1)
C Conductivity – – Control (13) Close
D Density/Sp. Gravity Differential (4) Deviation – –
E Voltage – Sensor (Primary – –
Element)
ESD Emergency Shutdown – – – –
F Flow Rate Ratio (Fraction) (4) – – –
G Gaging – Sight Glass, Viewing – –
Device (9)
H Hand (manual) – – – High (7, 15, 16)
HH – – – – High High
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 Pilot (11) – Low (7,15,16)
LL – – – – Low Low
M Moisture 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) – Open
P Pressure, Vacuum – Point (Test) Connection – –
(26)
Q Quantity/Event Integrate, Totalize (4) – – –
R Radiation Ratio Record or Print (17) – –
S Speed, Frequency Safety (8) – Switch (13) –
T Temperature – – Transmit (18) –
U Multivariable (6) – Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12)
V Viscosity, Vibration, – – Valve, Damper, Louver –
Mechanical Analysis (13)
(19)
W Weight, Force – Well or pocket – –
X Unclassified (2) X Axis Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2)
Y Event, State or Presence Y Axis – Relay, Compute, –
(20) Convert (13, 14, 18)
Z Position, Dimension Z Axis – Driver, Actuator, –
Unclassified Final
Control Element

NOTES:

 4. A first letter used with a modifier is treated as a first-letter entity. Example: “TDI” for
differential temperature.
 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
recorders/indicators.

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 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 un-calibrated 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 maybe 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
positions, respectively.
 17. Applies to any form of permanent storage of information.
 18. Used for the term transmitter.
 19. Used to perform machine analysis (where as 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 timed rive nor 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.

EXTRA RULES:
 There are several letters — C, D, G, M, N, O, which can be specified by the user.
 The second column, marked “Modifier”, adds additional information about the first
letter, the process variable. For example, if an instrument is used to measure the difference
between two pressures, perhaps the upstream and downstream pressure of a filter press, a
P for pressure is used as the first letter and a D for differential as a second letter modifier.
When instantaneous flow is being measured and a totalizer is added to provide total flow
over time, the device identification is FQ. The first letter of the tag name is F for flow and the
second letter is Q from the second column, signifying integrate or totalize.
 The next three columns further define the device. The first of
these delineates a readout or passive function.
 The meanings need be defined only once. A “user’s choice” letter is intended to cover
unlisted meanings that will be used repetitively in a particular project. If used, the letter may
have one meaning as a first-letter and another meaning as a succeeding-letter. The
meanings need to be defined only once in a legend, or other place, for that project.
 An S as a second letter can be a modifier for the first letter, or it can be classified as a
“succeeding” letter. This can be a bit confusing. If S is used as a succeeding letter, it applies
to emergency protective primary elements. In this case, a device normally labeled PCV
could also be labeled PSV if it is used as a safety device. The term xCV implies a self-
actuated control valve, such as a pressure regulator. The succeeding letter combination CV
should not be used in cases where the valve is not self-actuating. If the letter S is used as a
succeeding letter, such as in LSH, it designates a switch. Here’s how to tell the difference: if
the device in question is generating a discrete (on/off) signal, then the S in the second

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position indicates the device is a switch; if the device is reacting to a variable process
condition, then the S signifies a safety function.
 Using X for the first letter is a special case. From ISA-5.1, “The unclassified letter X is
intended to cover unlisted meanings that will be used only once or used to a limited extent.”
If used, the letter may have any number of meanings. When properly applied, the letter X
does not appear frequently – only once, or to a limited extent. Instead, the user-defined
letters should be used for devices that appear regularly, even if infrequently. Thus, in many
modern industrial facilities, X may not be needed, since most devices appear with some
regularity. For those of you that have an entire facility filled with XT transmitters or XY
transducers, don’t worry, this provision of ISA-5.1 is frequently ignored. The unclassified
letter X is intended to cover unlisted meanings that will be used only once or used to a
limited extent. If used, the letter may have any number of meanings as a first-letter and any
number of meanings as a succeeding-letter. Except for its use with distinctive symbols, it is
expected that the meanings will be defined outside a tagging bubble on a flow diagram.
 The grammatical form may be modified as required. Example: “Indicate” may mean
“indicator” or “indicating.”
 Many sites will use ISA-5.1 as the starting point.
 Of course, the user must clearly document the specified meanings on the site P&ID
legend sheet, and those meanings should be maintained, without ambiguity or change,
for the entire facility or, ideally, the entire company. The legend sheet table can then be
modified to incorporate assigned letter designations, or even specifically define
acceptable or standard letter combinations for the facility.
 Usage will depend upon context. Depending on the circumstance, the third letters Control,
Transmit, and Compute can also be used as a verb or noun, in which case they will appear
in text or speech as Controller, Transmitter, and Computer, respectively.

The following are a few of the more common prefix arrangements:

Tag Examples

 PIC = Pressure Indicating (Indicator) Controller

 LR = Level Recorder
 TT = Temperature Transmitter
 DAH = Density Alarm High
 DAHH = Density Alarm High High
 LSHH = level switch high-high
 LSH = level switch high

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 LSL = level switch low

 LSLL = level switch low-low
 LAL = level alarm low
 PT = pressure transmitter
 PDT = pressure differential transmitter
 AT = analyzer transmitter
 TE = temperature element
 TT = temperature transmitter
 PDSH = pressure differential switch high
 KQL = time quantity light (i.e., time is expired)
 PY = pressure transducer
 ZSO = position switch (open)
 HV = hand valve
 HS = hand switch

Suffix
Loop Number Based
 In addition to the letters, the instrumentation and control design group assigns a sequence
number to each function. All the devices within that function carry the same sequential
number, the loop number. A single loop number is used to identify the devices that
accomplish a single specific action – usually an input and an output for PID control, an input
for indication of a process variable, or a manual output.
 This number, combined with the letter designation, positively and uniquely identifies each
device within that set.
 Numbering of elements is in accordance with some plant based convention.
 There are two approaches, serial and parallel, of which serial is the more common.
 On a serial basis each channel, loop or scheme is allocated a unique number, for example
47. Regardless of the letter code, all its elements then assume the same number. By serial
means using a single numerical sequence for all devices. Therefore, there may be an FRC-
101, a LR-102, a PIC-103, and a TI-104.
 On a parallel basis, blocks of numbers are allocated according to instrument type or
function, depending on its letter code. This results in similar elements in different loops
having contiguous numbers. These numbers may follow the suggestions in ISA-5.1. By
parallel, means starting a new number sequence for each first letter. Therefore, there may
be an FRC-101, a PIC-101, and a TI-101.

Location Number Based

 The first digit of the number may indicate the plant number; hence, FT-102 is an instrument
in plant 1.
 Another method of identifying the instrument location is with a prefix, for example: 2 (area),
or 03 (unit), or 004 (plant 4) which identifies the service area of the loop: 2-FT-102 is loop
102 in area 2, or 03-FT-102 is loop 102 in unit 03, or 004-FT-102 is loop 102 in plant 4.
 These numbers can also be combined to show area-unit-plant in one number: 234-FT-102 is
a flow transmitter in loop 102, which serves area 2, unit 3 and plant 4.
 To be completely confusing, remember that the loop number defines the items in the loop,
so the loop may serve the area listed above, but a particular device may be physically
located in another area.

P&ID Diagram Number Based

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 A variation of this system is to tie the P&ID numbers to a particular area, and then to
sequentially number the instruments on that P&ID sheet. For example, P&ID 25 carries up to
100 loops, or instrument loop numbers 2500 to 2599.
 The elegance of this system is that you can find the correct P&ID for an instrument based
upon the tag number alone, since the tag number includes the P&ID number.
 Frequently the area number is nested in the P&ID number anyway, so you will also know the
area served by the loop just by looking at the loop number.

Major Equipment Designation Based

 The destination that appears in the loop number place on the instrument circle is a
equipment identifier that is tied to a master equipment designation table.
 Conventions Used for Identifying Process Equipment:
o Process Equipment General Format XX-YZZ A/B
o XX are the identification letters for the equipment classification
 C – Compressor or Turbine
 E – Heat Exchanger
 H – Fired Heater
 P – Pump
 R – Reactor
 T – Tower
 TK – Storage Tank
 V – Vessel
o Y designates an area within the plant
o ZZ is the number designation for each item in an equipment class A/B identifies
parallel units or backup units not shown on a PFD.
 Additional description of equipment given on top of PFD.

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