Calculators

Build a reference designation to IEC 81346

Labelling is what plant documentation stands or falls on in the long run. Anyone looking for a component ten years later finds it through the designation or not at all. This builder shows the structure and the common letter codes.

Result

Complete reference designation: —
Meaning of the letter code: —
Structure: —

A guide, not a design to standard. We give no warranty for the correctness of the results. The applicable standards and case-by-case verification govern.

Calculated on

Build a reference designation to IEC 81346

Function (=)

Inputs

Sequential number

Result

Complete reference designation
Meaning of the letter code
Structure

Formula

=Function +Location −Component :Terminal
For example =A1+S1-QA12:13
= functional assignment · + mounting location · − product · : terminal

Assumptions and standards

Letter codes to IEC 81346-2 (formerly EN 61346-2 and before that DIN 40719).
The prefixes are standardised, the numbering behind them is not. It follows the operator’s system. That is exactly why an agreed system matters so much.
Letter codes can be entered freely, including your own or older ones to the 2009 edition. The builder shows the meaning for the main classes and common subclasses of the 2019 edition, all classes are in the letter code finder.

A guide, not a design to standard. We give no warranty for the correctness of the results. The applicable standards and case-by-case verification govern.

FISEKON GmbH · Fischer Elektrokonstruktion · https://fisekon.com

The grey values are an example. Simply enter your own.

Matching services

Calculating is the easy part.

A formula gives you a number. Designing a plant also demands installation method, grouping, discrimination, the standards in force and a look at the installed base. That is what we take on.

Discuss a project

Method and questions

Reference designation

Assemble a designation from function, location, component and terminal.

Discuss a project

Worked example

The default case the calculator starts with, worked through once. Change the values above and it recalculates immediately.

Inputs

Function (=): A1
Location (+): S1
Letter code (−): QA
Sequential number: 12

Result

Complete reference designation: =A1+S1-QA12
Meaning of the letter code: QA, Switching current, for example contactor, circuit breaker, motor protection switch
Structure: = function · + location · − component with letter code and number · : terminal

Formula and standards

Formula

=Function +Location −Component :Terminal
For example =A1+S1-QA12:13
= functional assignment · + mounting location · − product · : terminal

Assumptions and standards

Letter codes to IEC 81346-2 (formerly EN 61346-2 and before that DIN 40719).
The prefixes are standardised, the numbering behind them is not. It follows the operator’s system. That is exactly why an agreed system matters so much.
Letter codes can be entered freely, including your own or older ones to the 2009 edition. The builder shows the meaning for the main classes and common subclasses of the 2019 edition, all classes are in the letter code finder.

What is the difference between = and +?

The equals sign describes function, what a component belongs to. The plus sign describes location, where it is installed. A contactor can belong functionally to the conveyor line (=F1) while sitting in control cabinet 2 (+S2).

Do I have to use every level?

No. In small installations the product level alone (−Q12) is often enough. As soon as there are several cabinets or plant sections, adding location and function quickly becomes indispensable.

We have our own grown system. Should we switch?

Usually not. A consistently applied in-house system beats a half-converted installed base. In projects we continue existing systems rather than replacing them. A break in the documentation costs more than the standard gains.