IEC 62648:2012

IEC 62648 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
HORIZONTAL STANDARD
NORME HORIZONTALE
Graphical symbols for use on equipment – Guidelines for the inclusion of
graphical symbols in IEC publications

Symboles graphiques utilisables sur le matériel – Lignes directrices pour
l’introduction de symboles graphiques dans les publications de la CEI

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IEC 62648 ®
Edition 1.0 2012-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
HORIZONTAL STANDARD
NORME HORIZONTALE
Graphical symbols for use on equipment – Guidelines for the inclusion of

graphical symbols in IEC publications

Symboles graphiques utilisables sur le matériel – Lignes directrices pour

l’introduction de symboles graphiques dans les publications de la CEI

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX R
ICS 01.080.40 ISBN 978-2-83220-097-1

– 2 – 62648  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Basic requirement for graphical symbols for use on equipment to be included in
IEC publications . 9
5 Principal guidelines . 9
5.1 General . 9
5.2 Coherency of graphical symbols for use on equipment . 10
5.3 Procedures to develop product publications including graphical symbols for
use on equipment . 10
Annex A (normative) Hard and soft procedures . 11
Annex B (informative) Examples of applications of graphical symbols for use on
equipment . 13
Annex C (informative) IEC 60417 – Proposal form for new graphical symbols . 17
Bibliography . 19

Table A.1 – Step-by-step approach to the hard procedures . 11
Table B.1 – Examples of graphical symbols for use on equipment as safety symbols to
form safety signs . 14
Table B.2 – Example of safety related graphical symbol for use on equipment and
safety sign . 15
Table B.3 – Examples of negation of the meaning of graphical symbols for use on
equipment . 16

62648  IEC:2012 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS FOR USE ON EQUIPMENT –
GUIDELINES FOR THE INCLUSION OF GRAPHICAL
SYMBOLS IN IEC PUBLICATIONS
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
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Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62648 has been prepared by subcommittee 3C: Graphical symbols
for use on equipment, of IEC technical committee 3: Information structures, documentation
and graphical symbols.
It has the status of a horizontal standard in accordance with IEC Guide 108.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
3C/1778/FDIS 3C/1793/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

– 4 – 62648  IEC:2012
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
62648  IEC:2012 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
A graphical symbol is defined as a visually perceptible figure with a particular meaning used
to transmit information independently of language. Graphical symbols are used on equipment
for a wide range of purposes. The understanding of such symbols can be improved by
consistent design. This is particularly important where families of symbols are used in one
location or on similar equipment. Good design also helps to maintain the legibility of graphical
symbols when they are reduced to small dimensions for application. Thus, there is a need for
those involved in technical works to collaborate with experts in SC 3C responsible for
developing and maintaining graphical symbols for use on equipment to be standardized in the
horizontal standard IEC 60417.
This international standard is intended for committees working on graphical symbols for use
on equipment to be included in their product publications. It provides them with guidelines on
how to create their own graphical symbols for use on equipment as well as on how to consult
SC 3C so that these symbols are also included in IEC 60417.
This international standard provides commonly agreeable procedures among SC 3C and other
committees developing product publications including graphical symbols for use on equipment
in accordance with IEC Guide 108.
...