IEC 62419:2008

Overview

IEC 62419:2008 - Control technology: Rules for the designation of measuring instruments - establishes rules to name and describe measuring instruments and their features unambiguously across language boundaries. Applicable to measurement technology, this first edition (which cancels IEC/PAS 62419:2005) aligns instrument designation with modern metrology practice by recommending designation according to the measured quantity or measurement task rather than by unit. The aim is consistent, clear technical communication in catalogs, documentation, specifications and multilingual contexts.

Key topics and requirements

• Designation principle: Instruments should be named by the measured quantity or measuring task (e.g., temperature measuring instrument, pressure measuring instrument), using either compound nouns or “measuring instrument for …” constructions.
• Secondary component guidance: It is strongly recommended to use “… measuring instrument” as the secondary component in compound terms. Ambiguous secondary terms such as “… sensor” should be avoided; prefer “… sensing element”, “… detector”, “… transducer”, “… transmitter”, “… measuring chain” or “… measuring instrument” depending on function.
• Terminology and form: General grammar/typography guidance (use hyphens to avoid ambiguity, e.g., “moving-coil galvanometer”). Abbreviations are acceptable when context defines the quantity.
• Scope of names: Rules cover displaying instruments, instruments with signal output, measurement standards, measuring assemblies, measuring chains and systems. Examples include displaying measuring instrument, measuring instrument with signal output, measurement standard, and measuring assembly.
• Alignment with metrology vocabulary: Designations are adapted to ISO/IEC Guide 99 (VIM) and IEC vocabulary (IEC 60050 parts), and to SI unit conventions (ISO 1000 / ISO 31 series).

Applications and who uses it

• Useful for manufacturers (product naming, datasheets, catalogs)
• Technical authors and translators creating multilingual documentation
• Procurement teams specifying equipment in tenders and contracts
• Test laboratories and calibration services documenting measurement chains and standards
• System integrators and control engineers who need clear component/function descriptions
• Standards committees and regulators seeking harmonized terminology

Practical uses include product classification, clearer equipment specifications, unambiguous procurement requirements, and consistent metadata for digital catalogues and equipment databases.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC Guide 99 (VIM) - International vocabulary of metrology
• IEC 60050-311 / 312 / 351 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (measurement and control technology)
• ISO 1000 / ISO 31 series - Quantities and units (SI usage)

Keywords: IEC 62419, measuring instrument designation, control technology, measurement technology, measurement standard, measuring assembly, VIM, IEC 60050, SI units.