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IEC/EN 60204-1
Appliance of reference designations
on machinery in accordance with
ISO/IEC/EN 81346
September 2010

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EU Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery

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Table of content
1

Introduction
1.1
1.2

Index

Henrik Balslev 2003-2010

2-3

Introduction ................................................................................ 2-3

[1] - Introduction ......................................................................... 2-5
[2] - Normative references.......................................................... 2-5
[3] - Definitions ........................................................................... 2-6
[5.1] Incoming supply conductor.............................................. 2-7
[11.2] Placing and assembling ................................................ 2-8
[13] Execution of wiring ........................................................... 2-8
[17] Technical documentation ................................................. 2-8
[Annex B item 12] Identification ............................................. 2-12

Practical examples
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

General ...................................................................................... 1-1

IEC 60204-1 versus EN 60204-1 ............................................... 1-1

Review of EN 60204-1
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9

1-1

3-1

Placing of identifier .................................................................... 3-1

Arrangement drawing................................................................. 3-2
Simplification rules ..................................................................... 3-4
Handling of different numbering systems ................................... 3-5

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Introduction

1.1 General
Synopsis: The relation between the EU Machinery Directive and ISO/IEC 81346
This document describes identification and marking of components in the form of reference
designations prepared in accordance with ISO/IEC/EN 81346, viewed in relation to the
requirements in EN 60204-1:2006 'Safety of machinery Electrical equipment of machines. Part
1: General requirements'.
In this document references to EN 60204-1 are in italics. Other references are written in normal
font.

This document is free of charge. It has the main purpose to explain the requirements of
marking equipment on machinery in accordance with the European Machinery Directive
no. 2006/42/EC. The technique and requirements for establishing identifiers (e.g. TAGs)
shall be in accordance with ISO/IEC 81346 standard series: Industrial systems,
installations and equipment and industrial products Structuring principles and reference
designations.
The DS-Handbook no. 166 from Danish Standard Association (available from Danish
Standard Webshop September 2010) is the easy-to-read guideline og how to apply the
ISO/IEC/EN 81346 standard. Please refer to www.81346.com for more information and
purchase.

Disclaimer
The usage and appliance of this document is at your own risk as the author cannot be held responsible for any damage whatsoever due to mismatch or
misunderstanding in relation to the content of this document.

1.2 IEC 60204-1 versus EN 60204-1

Synopsis: Short introduction to the difference between IEC and EN 60204-1.
Normally the IEC/ISO edition of a standard is no different from the following harmonized
European edition (EN) of the same standard.
For machinery to be installed in Europe, the EU directive 2006/42/EC on machinery applies.
European norm EN 60204-1 applies to the electrical equipment of the machine. However, as

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indicated in the Foreword to EN 60204-1 there are minor variations between IEC 60204-1 and
EN 60204-1. In the EN edition a right border indicates a deviation from the IEC edition.
A review of the IEC versus the EN standard shows that there is no difference between the items
relevant for documentation, marking and identification. Consequently, this document applies to
IEC 60204-1 as well as EN 60204-1 in relation to documentation, marking and identification.
Please note the vertical mark in the margin, when EN 60204-1 is used:

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Review of EN 60204-1

2.1 Introduction
Synopsis: About electrical equipment, documentation and marking on
machinery.
EN 60204-1 deals with electrical equipment on machines. The edition in force is from 2006, and
typically it has a local designation from the member country in the European Union, e.g. 'DS/EN
60204-1' (Denmark), 'DIN/EN 60204-1' (Germany) etc.
The standard is used for design of the electrical equipment of machines, and is the standard
typically used when the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC shall be fulfilled in terms of
safety for the electrical circuits.
Reference designation systems according to ISO/IEC 81346-1 are relevant especially in relation
to documentation and identification and safety aspects derived from this. In brief, the assumption
is that when the identification of the components (called reference designations according to
81346-1) complies with the technical documentation, handling of the machine becomes safer.
This seems evident on paper, in practice, however, it is far from correct on all machines.
For most manufacturers of machines, the challenge is that the machines become more and
more complex , and consequently also the electrical and mechanical equipment becomes more
complex and extensive. For most people it is natural to continue to develop the way of preparing
the documentation, but sooner or later most of us will find that something is wrong: More errors
occur, new employees have problems with the documentation form, so do the buyers of the
machines, and the outcome is a major time consumption or even a machine that must be
described as dangerous.
The solution is to introduce a reference designation system according to ISO/IEC 81346-1
describing how to create a structured overview of the installation or machine. The technique
from 81346 provides an excellent overview of the composition of the machine, and in the end a
safer machine. The use of a reference designation system provides many other advantages,
e.g. the possible reuse of documentation during design and consequent reduce design costs.
Naturally, it may seem impossible to structure data (it is easier to do as usual), and often it
requires the support of the management before implementation. However, this is a long-term
investment in overview and reuse, and experience from companies working with the subject
shows that the technique in ISO/IEC 81346-1 is outstanding and capable of handling even very
large amounts of complex information.

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EN 60204-1 is known as a B-standard, so it makes no sense for a manufacturer to indicate that

he 'complies with the standard'. EN 60204-1 indicates various options to be stated, and this is
done e.g. by using Annex B including in total 13 items.
The standard ISO/IEC 81346-1 (2009) is a combination of ISO TS 16952-1 (2005) and IEC
61346 (1996). The new common standards are a major progress in common understanding of
the design of identifiers (ID-codes) for the electrical and mechanical systems - also on
machines.

61346-1 (1996)

81346-1
&

&

TS 16952 (2005)

61346-2 (2000)

81346-2
(2009)

Industrial plants, installations

and equipment and industrial
products Structuring
principles and reference
designations

Technical product
documentation
Reference designation
systems

INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS,
INSTALLATIONS AND
EQUIPMENT AND
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
STRUCTURING
PRINCIPLES AND
REFERENCE
DESIGNATIONS

Figure 1- Basis for the common publication ISO/IEC 81346.

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2.2 [1] - Introduction

Synopsis: Reference designations and documentation are part of the machine.
[Figure 1] block diagram of a typical machine illustrates a fine overview of most aspects of a
machine.
Reference designations (16) and Technical documentation (17) appear at the top of Figure 1,
and indicate that both are essential parts of a machine.

Warning signs
Reference designations
(Clause 16)
Technical documentation
(Clause 17)

System/cell
controller

Supply diconnecting device

(5.3)
Protection against electrical shock
(Clause 6)

Figure 2 Extract from IEC/EN 60204-1 figure 1, block diagram of a typical machine.

2.3 [2] - Normative references

Synopsis: ISO/IEC 81346 is indicated as a normative reference in 60204-1
In general, normative references are indicated in the beginning of international standards. A
normative reference means that the standard indicated as a normative reference is used in the
actual standard. IEC 60204-1 indicates IEC 61346 (now IEC 81346) as a normative reference to
IEC 60204-1.

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2.4 [3] - Definitions

Synopsis: Definitions from 60204-1
As an important element in most standards, chapter [3] includes a list of definitions. You are
recommended to read these thoroughly, because they are an important element in the correct
understanding of the rest of the text.
If no definition of a word is indicated in a standard, it is common practice to find and use the
definition in the English 'Oxford English Dictionary' instead.
The most important definitions relevant to this report are:
[3.35] Machinery / machine assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which
moves, with the appropriate machine actuators, control and power circuits, joined together for a
specific application, in particular for the processing, treatment, moving or packing of a material.
The term 'machinery' also covers an assembly of machines which, in order to achieve the same
end, are arranged and controlled so that they function as an integral whole.
[3.36] Identification signs or inscriptions primarily for the purpose of identifying equipment,
components and/or devices, which can include certain features thereof.
[3.47] Reference designation distinctive code which serves to identify an object in the
documentation and on the equipment.
As will appear from [3.47] the code on the equipment and in the documentation shall be identical
to create the link between the components of the machinery and the related technical
documentation.

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2.5 [5.1] Incoming supply conductor

Synopsis: Terminals (terminations) and terminal blocks shall be correctly
identified.
It is stated that All terminals for the incoming supply shall be clearly identified in accordance with
IEC 60445 and 16.1.
For information, please see below short extract from IEC/EN 60445. For full reference, please
see the complete standard.

Designated conductor

Identification
of conductors
and conductor
terminations

Equipment
terminal
identificatio
n

AC conductors
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Neutral conductor

L1
L2
L3
N

U
V
W
N

DC conductors
Positive

L+

C or +

Negative

L-

D or -

Mid-point conductor

Graphical
symbols
IEC 60417
-

+
-

...

Figure 3 Short extract from IEC 60445 table 1.

The terminals will often be a part of a terminal block. The terminal block is identified by a
reference designation prepared according to the ISO/IEC 81346 standard series,
e.g. '-X1'.
Cf. IEC 61666 the designation of the terminal block differs from the designations of the terminals
by a colon ':', so for instance terminal number 34 in X1 is written as -X1:34.

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2.6 [11.2] Placing and assembling

Synopsis: Placing and assembling of controlgear
[11.2.1] indicates that All items of controlgear shall be placed and oriented so that they can be
identified without moving them or the wiring. In relation to identification this means in practice
that the identifier (the reference designation) shall be placed preferably next to or close to the
component identified by the identifier. This way it will not be necessary to produce new
identifiers to replace a component (typically in the form of signs). See also section 3.1 - Placing
of identifier.
[11.2.1] indicates that Test points for connection of test equipment, where provided, shall be
clearly identified to correspond with the documentation (see 17.3). This means that measuring
points shall also be identified in the documentation, typically in the form of special terminals, or
in the form of components appropriate for the purpose.
Terminal blocks as well as components shall be labelled according to the ISO/IEC 81346
standard series.

2.7 [13] Execution of wiring

Synopsis: Identification of wires and conductors
[13.1.1] General requirements states e.g. that terminals on terminal blocks shall be plainly
marked or labelled to correspond with markings on the diagrams.
IEC 62491 (2008), Industrial systems, installations and equipment and industrial products Labelling of conductors and cores, indicates methods for labelling of conductors and cores.
ISO/IEC 81346 is a normative reference to IEC 62491.

2.8

[17] Technical documentation

Synopsis: About technical documentation

[17.2] - Information to be provided states a list of the minimum requirement for documentation of
electrical equipment of machines. Though the list includes only the requirements for the
electrical documentation, preparation of corresponding documentation should be considered for
other mechanical parts of the system forming part of the functionality of the machine.
The main issue is that all components can be retrieved in the documentation, and that the
identification (i.e. the reference designation) in the documentation and on the machine are
identical, in order to allow retrieving of the components.

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It is common for electro technicians to consider the electrical circuit diagrams the most important
document, and thus try to incorporate e.g. a page number as a part of the identifier. However,
this is not recommended, partly because there are other documents than circuit diagrams which
could rightly be used on this ground, partly because by definition the preparation of a reference
designation system is independent of the documentation. The identifiers in the reference
designation system are reflected in the documentation rather than the other way round. See
Figure 4 on the next page.
[17.3] Requirements applicable to all documentation states that unless otherwise agreed
between manufacturer and user: ... reference designations shall be in accordance with relevant
parts of IEC 61346 (now ISO/IEC 81346). For a manufacturer of machines this involves the
problem that the manufacturer must supply different codes for different clients, and as a
consequence the manufacturer cannot make own modular thinking. For the user there is also a
misunderstood modification in 'forcing' a manufacturer to supply codes suiting the user better
than the manufacturer.
The solution for the manufacturer as well as the user lies in the technology of reference
designation systems, because the problem can be solved either by use of double codes or by
applying a combination of two reference designation systems as described in ISO/IEC 81346.
Read more about double coding and combination of reference designations in ISO/IEC 81346-1
and in the supporting DS-Handbook no. 166 to be found on www.81346.com (available in
English from September 2010).

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Figure 4 Connection between object, reference designation system and technical documentation.

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Figure 4 illustrates the connection between an object, reference designation system, property
data and examples of the typical project documentation:
In the example shown the object is a motor. The motor has a number of properties that are
either imaginary or, as illustrated in the figure, actual properties (125 kW, 400 kg etc.). A
reference designation system unambiguously identifying the object has been prepared: The
designer has structured the reference designation system so that the motor is a part of a pump
control. Because we work in the product aspect the reference designation will be '-G1-M1'. This
reference designation is used as identifier for the object 'Motor' everywhere in the technical
documentation showing the motor.
The project documentation includes flow diagrams, circuit diagrams, product lists, arrangement
drawings, technical calculations etc. The shown classifications '&PFB' etc. comply with IEC
61355.
In the tables and diagrams simplification technology is used in accordance with relevant ISO and
IEC standards. The possible common part of a reference designation is placed 'outside
parenthesis' or as shown in the documentation in the top left corner.
Note that the reference designation system is independent of the project documentation. This
means that the project documentation is used to document objects and the properties of these.
The identification '-G1-M1' protects the unambiguous identification across the documents.
The documentation can with advantage be created on the basis of the modular thinking, which is
one of the advantages of a reference designation system. This allows the preparation of basic
documents well suited for reuse. The idea is to prepare the project documentation on the basis
of these basic documents, possibly with a few adjustments.
All electrical documentation shall be prepared according to IEC 61082:2006. ISO/IEC 81346 is a
normative reference to IEC 61082.

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2.9 [Annex B item 12] Identification

Synopsis: In Annex B the form of identification is agreed
Annex B is used as a checklist, e.g. between manufacturer and user of the machine, where a
number of practical issues can be decided before manufacture. As mentioned in section 2.8 [17] Technical documentation the use of different reference designation systems can be
agreed.
It is highly recommended to use the ISO/IEC 81346 standard series as a common reference
frame for preparation of reference designations.

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Practical examples

3.1 Placing of identifier

Synopsis: The identifier ('number') should be placed next to the object
In practice, the identifier shall be placed preferably next to the component, so as to keep the
identification by replacement:

Figure 5: Preferably reference designation should be placed next to the object.

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3.2 Arrangement drawing

Synopsis: An arrangement drawing provides the necessary overview.
An arrangement drawing is a drawing providing information of the relative or absolute placing of
objects.
Below is an example from IEC 61082-1:2006 (figure 83d) of an arrangement drawing illustrating
the placing of various components. The identification of the components is prepared in the
product aspect.

-P1

-P2
Workbench

-T1
-T2

-QA1 -QB1

-T3

-QA2 -QB2

-T4

-QA3 -QB3

-T5

-QA4 -QB4

-K1
-K2
-K3
-K4

Figure 6 Arrangement drawing showing controlgear.

The next page shows another example of an arrangement drawing of layout of a machine,
where the location aspect is used to divide the machine into well defined areas:

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NOTE:
+A
+B
+C
+D
+U
+W

Outside machine
Roundtable
Sections on machine
Discs and couplings
Front side of machine
Back side of machine

Packing table
Conveyor
items
out

+W4

+W3

Other letter codes do not apply.

Card attacher
+W2
Labeldispenser
+W1
Adhesive disc magazine
+D3
Pick & Place
for items out
+C5

Round table
+B1

Welding
station
Circular feeder for
coupling

Round table for

coupling

+D1

+D2

+C3

Operator panel
+U1

Electrical switchgear
+A1

Figure 7 Example layout of a machine using location aspect.

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3.3 Simplification rules

Synopsis: You can 'place outside a parenthesis'.
IEC 61082 (electrical) and ISO 15519 (mechanical) indicate simplification rules for reference
designations, which allow you to place the common part of the reference designation 'outside' in practice by placing the common part separately:
Figure 8 shows an example of an assembly plate, where all the components on the plate shall
be leading with '-A1' to get the full reference. E.g. the full reference for the first fuse (-F1) will be
'-A1-F1' and so on.

Figure 8 - An arrangement drawing for an assembly plate in a cabinet. The common part is '-A1'.

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3.4 Handling of different numbering systems

Synopsis: You may use more than one numbering system for machines.
The technology in a reference designation system in accordance with ISO/IEC 81346-1 allows
more than one identifier (number) for identification of an object. It may often be a good idea to
use this technique, because it allows the various parties (e.g. manufacturer and customer) to
maintain the numbering systems they are used to and at the same time consider the other party.
Figure 9 shows an example of labelling in a case with two possible identifications of the object:
'-103.3.5' and 'A1A-A1R'. Naturally you need to see in the relevant technical documentation to
understand the context.
NOTE: The example is hypothetical and intended only as an illustration of possible different numbering systems.

Clients reference designation:

-103.3.5

Suppliers reference designation:

A1A-A1R

Figure 9 Example of identification with two numbering systems

NOTE: Clients reference designation is in accordance with ISO/IEC 81346.

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O
Overview, 2-5

Index

P
Placing of identifier, 3-1
R
Reading instructions, 1-1
Reference designation, 2-6
Reference designation system, 2-3

Arrangement drawing, 3-2

Safety, 2-3
Simplification rules, 3-4

C
Complex machines, 2-3
D

T
Terminal block, 2-7, 2-8

Definitions, 2-6
Documentation, 2-3, 2-8
Documentation of objects, 2-11
E
Electrical systems, 2-4
I
ID-codes, 2-4
Identification, 2-3, 2-6, 2-8, 2-12
Identification of terminals, 2-7
Identification of wires, 2-8
Investment, 2-3
L
Layout of machine, 3-3
M
Machinery, 2-6
Machinery Directive, 2-3
Mechanical systems, 2-4
N
Normative reference, 2-5
Numbering systems, 3-5

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NEW handbook available from September 2010 see www.81346.com for more: