Engineering Standard

SAES-J-004 10 December 2011

Instrumentation Symbols and Identification
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Exceptions to ISA-5.1, Instrumentation
Symbols and Identification...................... 3

Previous Issue: 24 August 2008 Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016

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Primary contact: Tarawn, Al Ahmed Roja Mahd on 966-3-880-1344

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2011. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee SAES-J-004
Issue Date: 10 December 2011
Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

1 Scope

The ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992) Instrumentation Symbols and Identification is used as basis

for this standard, unless otherwise specified in paragraph 4.

This standard establishes a uniform means of designating instruments and instrumentation

systems used, in Saudi Aramco, for measurement and control. The identification is also
used as equipment tag (mark) numbers on equipment and for material requisitions,
specification sheets, instrument installation schedules, records and forms.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAESs), Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs), or
industry standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in writing by the
Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager, Process & Control
Systems Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this standard in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Process & Control Systems
Department, of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The latest edition or revisions of the following documents are part of this standard.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard

SAES-J-904 FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus (FF) Systems

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American National Standard Institute

ISA-5.1 - 1984 (R1992) Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee SAES-J-004
Issue Date: 10 December 2011
Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

4 Exceptions to ISA-5.1, Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

The following paragraph numbers refer to ISA-5.1 - 1984 (R1992), reaffirmed July 13,
1992, which is the basis of this standard. However, the following paragraphs are an
addition, exception, modification, or deletion to ISA-5.1 as noted. Paragraph numbers
not appearing in ISA-5.1 are new paragraphs to be inserted.

4.1.4 (New Paragraph) All instruments shall be identified with a tag (mark)
number.

4.3.2 (Modification, Exception) Loop numbering shall be parallel. Parallel

numbering involves starting a numerical sequence for each new first-letter,
e.g., TIC-101, FRC-101, LIC-101, AI-101, etc.

4.3.2.1 (New Paragraph) When identification numbers are required for new plants,
existing plant expansions or modifications, a block of identification numbers
shall be requested from the Drawing Management Unit, Engineering
Knowledge & Resources Division, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

4.3.2.2 (New Paragraph) Instrument identification (tag/mark numbers) for parallel

process trains, i.e., duplicated process trains within the same facility, shall
use the same tag numbers. The identical instrument tag numbers, between
trains, shall be differentiated by the plant number prefix. The parallel train
instrument tag numbering shall be reviewed and approved in writing by the
Proponent Organization and the Supervisor, Drawing Management Unit,
Engineering Knowledge & Resources Division, Saudi Aramco.

4.3.2.3 (New Paragraph) If the instrument tagging convention for an existing plant
is different from what is specified in this standard - then the existing tagging
convention may be used for an expansion to that plant. The use of the
existing instrument tagging convention shall be reviewed and approved in
writing by the Proponent Organization and the Supervisor, Drawing
Management Unit, Engineering Knowledge & Resources Division, Saudi
Aramco, Dhahran.

5.1 Notes for Table-1 in ISA-5.1

2) (Modification Exception) Delete 'X' and replace with 'N'.
6) (Delete complete paragraph).
8) (Modification Exception) Delete 'PSV' and 'PSE', replace with 'PZV'
and 'PZE', respectively.
10) (Additional Paragraph) For shared display/shared control symbols
(i.e., Geometry: Square with inscribed circle) the Modifier "I" can be left

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee SAES-J-004
Issue Date: 10 December 2011
Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

out. (e.g., instead of FIC, TIC, and PIC you ma y use FC, TC and PC).
11) (Modification Exception) Delete 'X' and replace with 'N'.

5.2 Exceptions to Table 1 in ISA-5.1

Table 1 – Identification Letters

First-Letter (4) Succeeding-Letters (3)

Measured or Readout or Output
Modifier Modifier
Initiating Variable Passive Function Function
C Conductivity Control (13)
Density,
D Differential (4)
Specific Gravity
N Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2)
U Logic Function Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12) Multifunction (12)
Position,
X X Axis Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2) Unclassified (2)
Dimension
Driver, Actuator,
Unclassified
Z Safety Safety (8)
Final Control
Element

Note: Numbers in parentheses refer to specific explanatory notes in Section 5.1 of ISA-5.1
(Reaffirmed 13 July 1992).

5.3 (Additions to Table 2 in ISA-5.1)

5.3.1 (Addition) Saudi Aramco Specific Combinations:

MOV Electric Motor Operated Valve (exception to ISA 'Typical Letter
Combinations')
ML Motor Running Pilot Light (the letter M does not represent the
word "motor," but for a monitored state)
SSV Surface Safety Valve (wellhead valve tagging)
SSSV Sub-Surface Safety Valve (wellhead valve tagging)
UC Logic System (Non ESD)
XS Valve Position Switch
XL Pilot Light (do not use for motor running light)
ZC Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Logic System
ZV Valve used in ESD System

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee SAES-J-004
Issue Date: 10 December 2011
Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

5.3.2 (Addition) Alternate for tagging 'open' and 'closed' limit switches. To use
this alternate tagging convention you must first get written approval from the
Proponent Organization.

5.3.2.1 (Addition) The alternate identification (tagging) is as follows:

 First letter is the 'measured or initiating variable'.
 Second letter is "L" for 'limit' (not per ISA standard).
 Third letter is "S" for 'switch'.
 Loop number
 Suffix "O" for 'open' or "C" for closed.

Example 'Alternate' Tagging for Limit Switches

Standard Standard Alternate Alternate
Open Closed Open Closed
Valve Tag Limit Switch Tag Limit Switch Tag Limit Switch Tag Limit Switch Tag
LV-101 XSH-101 XSL-101 LLS-101O LLS-101C
MOV-101 XSH-101 XSL-101 MLS-101O MLS-101C
ZV-101 XSH-101 XSL-101 ZLS-101O ZLS-101C

Commentary Note:

The term "high" and "low", when applied to positions of valves and other
open-close devices, are defined as follows: "high" denotes that the valve is in
or approaching the fully open position, and "low" denotes that the valve is in
or approaching the fully closed position e.g., XSH – valve is open, XSL –
valve is closed, reference 'Standard' tagging for limit switches in table above.

6.2 (Addition to 'Note' to Instrument Line Symbols in ISA-5.1)

The line symbology, as defined in ISA-5.1, shall be used for all 'grass root'
projects. For an existing plant or an expansion to an existing plant, the line
symbology being used for that plant shall be used. An existing plant may
use ISA-5.1 line symbology, with concurrence of the Proponent and
Supervisor, Drawing Management Unit, Engineering Knowledge &
Resources Division, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

6.4 (Addition to 'Note' to Control valve body symbols, damper symbols in

ISA-5.1)

TSO = Tight Shut-Off (FCI- 70-2 Class IV minimum).

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation Standards Committee SAES-J-004
Issue Date: 10 December 2011
Next Planned Update: 10 December 2016 Instrumentation Symbols and Identification

7.0 Foundation Fieldbus

(New Paragraph) Foundation Fieldbus instrumentation symbols, line

symbology and identification shall be per Section 11 in SAES-J-904
FOUNDATION Fieldbus (FF) Systems.

Revision Summary
10 December 2011 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document and
reissued with editorial revision to change the primary contact.

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