P&ID SYMBOL

ISA Symbols and Loop Diagram

 P&IDs
Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams or simply P&IDs are the “schematics”
used in the field of instrumentation and control (Automation)
The P&ID is used to by field techs, engineers, and operators to better
understand the process and how the instrumentation is inter connected.

Most industries have standardized the symbols according to the ISA

Standard S5.1 Instrumentation Symbol Specification.

• Piping & Instrumentation Drawing (original)

• Process & Instrumentation Diagram (also used)
• Process Flow Diagram – PFD (simplified version of the
P&ID)
 Temperature control Process
Using pictorial diagrams may be informative however it is not practical or CAD
friendly especially in a multi-loop process.

Temperature Controller
and Recorder

Temperature
Transmitter

Steam

Pneumatic
Control Valve
Heat Exchanger
Create A New P&ID for a loop
The P&ID will use symbols and circles to
represent each instrument and how they are
inter-connected in the process.
Temperature Controller
and Recorder

Temperature
Transmitter

Thermometer

Temperature
Sensing Bulb

Pneumatic
Control
Valve
 Tag Number
Tag “numbers” are letters and numbers
placed within or near the instrument to
identify the type and function of the device.

TRC
206

TT
206
TI
Presenter
2009-09-17 08:51:47 206
--------------------------------------------
Inside the I.S.A. instrumentation symbols is
Temperature
a code called a tag number that indicates
Sensing Bulb
the function and nature of the component
represented. The tag number is composed
of letters and numbers.

FCV
206
 Tag Descriptor

The succeeding letter(s) are

The first letter is used to designate
used to designate the
the measured variable
function of the component, or
to modify the meaning of the
X Y Z 123 first letter.

Pressure Indicator
Level Recorder
Flow Controller
Temperature Transmitter
 Tag Number
Tag “numbers” are letters and numbers
placed within or near the instrument to
identify the type and function of the device.
Temperature Recording Controller
TRC
206
Temperature Transmitter
TT
Presenter 206
TI
2009-09-17 08:51:47
206
-------------------------------------------- Temperature Indicator
Inside the I.S.A. instrumentation symbols is
a code called a tag number that indicates Temperature
the function and nature of the component Sensing Bulb
represented. The tag number is composed
of letters and numbers.

FCV
206
ISA S5.1 Identification Letters
Examples
 Instrument Location
The presence or absence of a line determines the location of the physical
device. For example no line means the instrument is installed in the field
near the process.

XYZ XYZ XYZ

123 123 123

No Line Solid Line No Line

The instrument is The instrument is The instrument is
mounted in the field mounted in the mounted out of sight
near the process, (close control room (not accessible to the
to the operator) (accessible to the operator)
operator)
Shared Displays/Shared Control
Some instruments are part of a Distributed Control
System (DCS) where a specific controller or
indicator can be selected from many others but
shown in one location (like a terminal screen)

In the control room In the plant Not accessible

Summary of instrument type & location
Piping and Connection Symbols
These symbols are
used to identify how
the instruments in
the process
connect to each
other.

And what type of

signal is being
used. (electrical,
pneumatic,
data, etc)
Valve Symbols
 P&ID Example

Temperature Controller
and Recorder TRC 206

Temperature
Transmitter

TT
206
TCV S
TI
206
206

Steam

Pneumatic
Control Valve
Heat Exchanger
P&ID Exercise
FIC

TIC

1 YIC
2
TY

3
FT

TT

3
P&ID Exercise
FIC –
Flow Indicating Controller

TIC
Temperature Indicating Cont.

YIC
PLC Indicating Controller

TY
Temperature Computer
Output

FT
Flow Transmitter

TT
Temperature Transmitter
 Process Flow Diagram - PFD
A PFD shows less detail than a P&ID and
is used only to understand how the
process works