Overview
IEC TR 62687:2015 is an influential technical report published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that compiles a comprehensive vocabulary of terms related to graphical symbols for use on equipment. The document brings together terminology from IEC, ISO, and ITU publications, with some terms clarified or adapted for enhanced understanding. Designed to serve the needs of professionals engaged in the design, use, and standardization of graphical symbols, it plays a key role in promoting effective communication across language barriers and advancing industry harmonization.
This second edition supersedes the first edition from 2011 and introduces significant updates:
- The title now emphasizes "vocabulary" rather than "terminology."
- Annex A, which provides additional explanations of terms through practical examples, has been added.
Key Topics
IEC TR 62687:2015 addresses critical aspects of graphical symbol vocabulary, including:
- Graphical Symbol Types: Definitions for graphical symbols, icons, pictograms, glyphs, and related terms used in equipment user interfaces.
- Clarity and Consistency: Harmonized definitions sourced from authoritative standards to ensure uniform interpretation and application globally.
- Safety Communication: Clear terminology for safety-related graphical symbols, safety signs, caution, danger, and warning indicators.
- Dynamic Symbols: Definitions related to dynamic symbols which adapt in real-time based on equipment status, especially relevant for screen-based or interactive displays.
- Annotations and Examples: Supplementary notes and an annex providing concrete examples for enhanced comprehension.
- Language Independence: Emphasis on minimizing language dependence of symbols to support worldwide usability.
Applications
The vocabulary standardized in IEC TR 62687:2015 is essential for a wide range of sectors and use-cases:
- Equipment Manufacturers: Ensures designers and engineers select appropriate graphical symbols, boosting product safety and international compliance.
- User Interface Designers: Facilitates the development of intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs), icons, and displays for broad user acceptance and safety.
- Standards Developers: Provides a unified glossary that supports the creation and revision of related international and regional standards.
- Regulatory Bodies: Aids authorities in the assessment and enforcement of documented visual communication requirements for labeling and information display.
- Training and Documentation: Acts as a reliable reference for technical writers and trainers to use consistent terminology in manuals and user instructions, reducing confusion.
The adoption of this vocabulary ensures clarity in the communication of equipment functions, hazards, and operating procedures, fostering user confidence and reducing risks associated with misinterpretation.
Related Standards
IEC TR 62687:2015 draws from and complements several key international standards in the field of graphical symbols:
- IEC 60417: Graphical symbols for use on equipment
- IEC 80416 series: Basic principles for graphical symbols for use on equipment
- ISO/IEC 11581: User interface icons
- ISO 7000: Graphical symbols for use on equipment - Index and synopsis
- ISO 3864: Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs
- ISO 17724: Graphical symbols - Vocabulary
- ITU-T E.121: Pictograms, symbols, and icons for telecommunications services
These standards collectively form a robust foundation for consistent, safe, and effective use of graphical symbols on electrical, electronic, and related equipment, supporting global interoperability.
Keywords: IEC TR 62687:2015, graphical symbols, vocabulary, equipment, standardization, icons, pictograms, safety signs, international standards, ISO, ITU, user interface, technical documentation