Allows machinery designed in one country to be operated safely in another without retraining operators. Key Coding Principles in IEC 60073 The standard breaks down coding into several categories: 1. Color Coding (The Most Common Use)
The standard, titled "Basic and safety principles for man-machine interface, marking and identification – Coding principles for indicators and actuators," establishes the universal rules for assigning meanings to visual, acoustic, and tactile signals. Core Purpose
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: Color, shape, position, and time-dependent characteristics (e.g., flashing). Acoustic : Sound types and pure tones. Tactile : Textures or physical forms. Visual Coding (Color Definitions)
While summaries provide an excellent architectural overview, downloading the official standard document directly from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) webstore or authorized distributors is crucial for real-world engineering project delivery. The official text provides: Allows machinery designed in one country to be
Clear, unambiguous indicators help prevent hazardous incidents.
Example: A light might mean “motor overload pre-alarm,” while a fast flashing yellow indicates “overload trip in 2 seconds.” Visual Coding (Color Definitions) While summaries provide an
"color": "GREEN", "hex_value": "#00FF00", "category": "Normal", "meanings": ["Normal", "Safe", "Start"], "usage_context": ["Start buttons", "Run indicators"], "prohibited_usage": ["Stop buttons"]
For pushbuttons and switches, the standard defines: