IS : 5578 - 1984 (Reatfirmed 1996) Indian Standard GUIDE FOR MARKING OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS ( First Revision ) Third Reprint APRIL 2001 UDC 621.315.3 : 621.777 ( 026) © Copyright 1985 BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG NEW DELHI 110002 Gr4 December 1985AMENDMENT NO. t OCTOBER 1996 TO IS 5578: 1984 GUIDE FOR MARKING OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS ( First Revision ) (Page 3, clause 04, tine 4) Substitute “IS 11353 . 1985 Guide for uniform system of marking and identification of conductors and apparatus terminals’ for ‘tS : 375 - 1963*" and delete foot-note with” mark. ( Pages 3 and 4, clause 08) — Subsutute the following for the existing clause “0.8 In onder to cover guidelines on the uniforsy system of tesminal marking, 1S 11353-1985 ‘Guide for unitorm seston of masking and wenufication of conductors and apparatus terminal Shov'd be retested tom addition 46 those agtven im this standard." ( Page 4 foot-note marked “*" y Delete ey eens Pranted Dev Kay Printers, New Detha18 1 5578 - 1984 Indian Standard GUIDE FOR MARKING OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS ( First Revision ) Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Sectional Committee, ETDC 57 Chairman Representing Sat V. S, Buarta Siemens India Ltd, Bombay Members Sunt S, G, Nese ( Alternate to Shri V.'S, Bhatia ) SmaC.R, Bazasumsawanran English Electric Co of India Ltd, Madras ‘Sunt M. Sesmapar ( Alternate) Sunr S$. N. Biswas Crompton Greaves Ltd, Borabay Suni B.G, Kanasarcan ( Alternate) Sunt K, K,. Benny ‘Central Small Scale LT Switchgear Manufac- turers Association, New Delhi Sunt Sarat ( Alternate ) Curzy Exoivers (Ete0 ) 1 Central Public Works Department, New Delhi Soavevor or Wonus ( Eueo ) I ( Alternate ) . Cuter Exouvere Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd, New Delhi Sunt S.C. Kaumawa ( Alternate ) Smaz V.C. Dosat ‘Associated Cement Companies Ltd; Bombay Saat RH. Kovganwt ( Alternate ) Drazctor (‘Drstarsvri0w ) ‘Central Electricity Authority, New Delbi jePUTY Diaxoron ( Unto Ten- mrtontes Dianctorats ) ( Alternate ) Dimrctor ‘Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore Jourr Dinroron, Swircxoran & Teerino Devetormext Srariox ( Alternate |) Darory Dintoron ( Alternate IT ) Suet A. N, Dorr Electrical Contractors Association of Eastern India, Calcutta ‘Smaz Apaxt Dura ( Alternate ) ( Continued on page 2 ) © Copyright 1985 BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS Thia publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act (XIV of 1957) and reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the Publisher ahail be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act,IS 1 5578 - 1984 ( Continued from page 1) Members Representing Sunt Bb, Gano Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals, ‘New Delhi yet RV Namavanan ( Alternate ) Smt L, Gor ALAKnRISHNAN Directorate General of Technical Development, New Deli Sw LG Joszen In personal capacity Sint MA Jos Bhartia Cutler Hammer Ltd, Faridabad ‘Sunt V.J, Kanrican ( Alternate ) Sut Kavsitat Dev Haryana State Electricity Board, Chandigarh Sunt RC Kacaxwa Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking, New Delhi Sauer ¥ P. Cxtapma ( Alternate ) Sunt B. H. Knaxpiata ‘Tata Consulting Engineers, Bombay Sint UG. Kantarit ( Alternate) Sunt B Koriane ‘The Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking, Bombay Sunt A A. Kutaxoncan ( Alternate) Suni K. C. Laws Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Hyderabad Snir R. Suna Rao ( Alternate 1) Sunt S"Somx ( Alternate I) Sunt V. P. Manexpau Northern India Switchgear Manufacturers Astoci- ation, Jalandhar Suns J.K. Gurea ( Alternate) Sunt f. K. Maura ‘The Ahmedabad Mitlowners’ Association, Ahma dabad Sunt R. M. Traine ( Alternate ) Sai J. 8 Nrav Jyou Ltd, Vadodara Sus VB. Diesat ( Alternate ) Sunt HM Pat ‘The Ahmedabad Liectrieity Co Ltd, Ahmadabad Sumi MB. Vartonnan ( Alternate ) Da GM. Praone Tndian Rlecerical Manufacturers’ Association, Bombay Sunt A Satan ( Alternate ) Sunt T Rawaxgurty ‘Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Madras Sonu K, Smamivasan (Alternate ) IVASTAVA Railway Board, New Delhi wr RSnsntvagan ( .tlternate Sumy US Venta National Test House, Calcutta Sunt P. Muxwenser ( Alternate ) Sua M.P Waan Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Bombay ‘Sur VN Daavip ( Alternate ) Sur P Sacuoev, Diroctor General, ISI { Bx-oftce Member ) Director ( Elec tech ) Secretary Sunt K, Ganesa, Deputy Director ( Plec tech ), ISTIS : 5578 - 1984 Indian Standard GUIDE FOR MARKING OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS ( First Revision) 0 FOREWORD .1 This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on 19 April 1984, after the draft finalized by the Low Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear Sectional Committee had been approved by the Electrotechnical Division Council. 0.2 The object of this standard is to define the systems of identification marking to use for insulated conductors, It distinguishes two types of markings: a) Main markings, and b) Supplementary markings. The purpose of marking insulated conductors is to provide, if necessary, a means whereby condcutors can be identified in the circuit and also after they have been detached from the terminals to which they were connected, 0.3 This standard is intended to cover only the marking of the conductors for the purposes of identification and docs not cover the terminal mark- ings on the equipment itself to which the conductor is connected. 0.4 One of the major applications of this guide is in the field of switchgear and controlgear installations, where conductor marking is resorted to for identification of auxiliary wiring in factory built assemblies. Guidelines on the same are covered in IS : 375-1963%, However, in order to provide general guidelines on all possible cases of marking and to take into view the developments at the international level, the present revision is brought out. 0,5 Attention is drawn to the contents of Indian Standard under prepara- tion which covers guidlines on the uniform system of terminal marking of equipment using alphanumeric notation and identification of conductors Marking and arrangements for switchgear bishars, main connections and auxiliary wiring ( revised ),1S 1 5578 - 1984 using colours. This, together with the guidelines contained herein replace 1S : 375-1963", 0.6 In the preparation of this standard, considerable assistance had been derived from IEG Publication 391 ( 1972) ‘ Marking of Insulated Conduc- tors’ issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission. 0.7 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expre- sing the result of a test, shall be rounded off in accordance with JS : 2-19604. The number of significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard. 1, SCOPE 1.1 This standard applies to the marking of insulated conductors used in industrial installations and the equipment which forms part of them, except insulated conductors constituting the terminals of electrical appar- atus ( for example, rotating machines or transformers ). 1,2 It applies only to other installations and equipment (for example, telecommunication circuits or circuits including elecommunication equipment ) when reference is made to them, 2, TERMINOLOGY 2.0 For the purposes of this standard, the definitions given below shall apply. 7 2.1 Terminal — A conducting element of a piece of apparatus, designed for connecting it to external circuits. 2.2 Terminal Board — 4 board or block or strip carrying several terminals insulated from each other and usually from earth. 2.3 Identification Mark -- A mark which identifies a conductor or a group of conductors at cach end and, when necessary, at visible points throughout its length. 2.4 Systems of Marking 24,1 Main Marking — A system of marking characterizing cach conductor or group of conductors irrespective of their electrical function, {Masking and atrangemeats for switchgear bsbars, main conacetions and auxiliary wiring ( revised ). ‘Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ). 4a) b) 9 IS : 5578 - 1984 Dependent marking — A system of marking conductors, or group of conductors based on the markings of the terminals at which the conductors terminate or of the equipment to which the groups of conductors are connected, 1) Dependent localeend marking i) Ofa conductor — A. system of marking in which the marking of a conductor end is the same as that of the terminal to which it is connected, ii) Of a group of conductors — A system of marking in which the marking of a group of conductor ends indicates the part of equipment to which it is connected, 2) Dependent remotecend marking i) Of a conductor — A system of marking in which the marking ofa conductor end is the same as that of the terminal to which its remote end is connected. ii) Of a group of conductors — A. system of marking in which the marking of a group of conductor ends indicates the part of equipment to which its remote end is connected. 3) Dependent both-end marking i) OF conductor —A system of marking in which each end of a conductor is marked both with the marking of the terminal to which it is connected and also with that of the terminal to which its remote end is connected. i) Of a group of conductors — A system of marking in which each end of a group of conductors is marked tv indicate both the part of equipment to which it is connected and also the part of equipment to which its remote end is connected, Independent marking — A. system of marking of conductors or group of conductors, independent of the marking of the terminals at which the conductors terminate or of the equipment to which the group of conductors are connected. Composite marking — A system of marking in which dependent marking and independent marking are used together. 24.2 Supplementary Marking — A system of marking generally used as ‘a supplement to the main marking and based on the electrical function of each conductor or group of conductors.1S 1 5578 - 1984 a) Functional mark — A supplementary mark indicating i) either the function of each conductor considered individually (examples: switching on or off, signalling a position, meaure- ment of a current or a voltage }; and fi) or the function of several conductors considered together (exainples: heating, lightng, signalling, measuring circuits ). b) Phase mark — A supplementary mark showing to which phase of an ac system of conductor is connected. ©) Polarity mark — A supplementary mark showing to which pole of ade circuit a conductor is connected, 3. GENERAL RULES 3.1 The identification marks shall be placed at the ends of conductors and, where necessary, at visible points along their length. 3.2 The main markings shall be of one of the types defined in 2.4.1. 3.3 Conductors may carry supplementary marks as defined in 2.4.2, In some cases, these supplementary markings may be sufficient and there may be no need for main marking. 4, APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEMS OF MAIN MARKINGS 4.1 Dependent Marking — In dependent marking [see 241( a )] conductor marks may include ( Fig. 2 and 4) or may not include ( Fig. 1 and 3) equipment marks; however, conductor marks shall always include equipment marks when the use of terminal marks alone would be confus- ing ( Fig. 2). 4.1L Dependent Both-End Marking (see 24.1( a )(3)] — This system wlustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 permuts the conductor to be connected to its local-end terminal without having to refer to a diagram or a connection table and indicates also its remote-end terminal, thus facilitating fault location and maintenance work. Nore ~ Yor the order of inscription of marks, see 7, A ney Rola EET A on so on Fro, 1 Exampce or Derennent Botu-Exp MARKING FOR Two Conpuctors 6IS : 5578 = 1984 Fio, 2 Exampce or Derenvent Botu-Enp Marxino ror Two. Coxpucrors aNo FoR A Group of Conpucrors ( Caste ) 41.2 Dependent Local-End Marking [ see 2.4.1( a)( 1) ]— This system, illustrated in Fig. 3, is simpler than the system in 4.1.1, but a diagrain or aconnection table may be necessary wien faults have to be located or maintenance work done, if the actual run of the conductor is not immediately apparent. Fro. 3 Exampie or Deenpent Locat-Enp Marxino ror Two Conpuctors 4.1.3 Dependent Remote-End Marking (see 24.1(a)(2)]— This system, of which Fig. 4 gives an example, is also simpler than both-end marking and is convenient for fault location and maintenance work, but it usually necessitates a diagram or a connection table to enable any connection which may have been removed to be replaced correctly, Fro. 4 Exampre of Derexpent Remore-Exo Markina ror Tree Conpuctors AND ror A Grou or Connucrors ( Cape ) 718 + 5578 - 1984 4.2 Independent Marking ~ In independent marking [see 24.1( b )}i the same marking, usually of a siniple form, is used all along the conduc- tor, even if it has junctions in its run. Except in certain simple cases, a connection diagram or table should be used to make it clear to which terminal each conductor end should be connected ( see Fig. 5 ). Fig, 5 Exaqpre or Inperenpent Marxtno ror Two Conpucrors {AND FoR A GrovP oF Conpucrors ( Cazze ) y The connection table, if made use of, should indicate: conductor 5 connects Al to Di, and conductor 6 connects A3 to D2. Nore — The de to the user. n to make use of a diagram or connection table is to be left When a functional mark is a complete means of identification, it may be used as an independent marking without adding other markings ( see 3.3 and Fig. 6 ). A D Fro. 6 ExaMpie or FUNCTIONAL MARRING 4.3 Composite Marking — Composite marking [see 2.4.1(¢ )] offers the advantages of dependent marking and permits a simplification of any intermediate marking that may be required along the conductor ( se Fig , 8 and 9). If dependent marking is not complete, and does not make use of both ends, a diagram or connection table may be necessary. 818 1 5578 - 1984 The connection table, if made use of, should indicate: conductor 5 connects Al to DI, and conductor 6 connects A3 to D2. The connection table, if made use of, should indicate: conductor group ( cable ) 15 connects terminal boards A and D. Fro. 8 Exaurce or Composire MARkiNo: INDEPENDENT FOR THE Conpuctors; Dapenpent Bori-Enp ror THe Conpuctor Grour ( Caszz ) Fio. 9 Exaurce of Compotrrs Mannino: Derenpent Botr-Exp MARINO you THE GonDUGTORS; INDEPENDENT?OR THE ConpucToR GrouP ( CABLE) =18 + 5578 - 1984 5, SUPPLEMENTARY MARKS 5.0 Supplementary marks ( see 2.4.2 ) may be letters or figures, like the main marks. Colour marks or appropriate symbols may also be used. In some cases, to avoid confusion, it is preferable to separate the supplement- ary marks from the main marks by punctuation signs { for example, an oblique stroke (/)]. 5.1 Functional Marks — If functional marks (see 2.4.2( a)] are used, they should be in agreement either with a table which gives their meaning. 5.2 Phase Marks — Where phase marks [see 2.4.2( b )] are used, the hour (clock face) number system should be applied, if possible, as described in 1S : 11354-1985*. Where that system is not applicable, capital letters or figures, or both, should be used in phase sequence order. The neutral conductor of an ac system should be indicated by the letter ‘N’. Norx — If confusion is possible, the hour numbers or other figures or letters, used to indicate the phase, should be placed between oblique strokes ( for example: /8/ ). 5.3 Polarity Marks — Where symbols are used to indicate the polarity of a conductor of a direct current circuit [see 2.4.2( c )], the following marks should be used: + for the positive poles — for the negative pole; M for the mid-wire for de system. Norm — If there isa risk of confusion between a hyphen and the mark for the negative pole, the latter should be indicated by a hyphen in parentheses (-). 5.4 Protection andjor Earthing Marks — See 1S : 11353-1985t. 6. ARRANGEMENT OF MARKS 6.1 Ifa mark includes various elements, each of these should be distinguis- hed from the others, for example: a) by an interval, or an appropriate sign, for example a hyphen; b) by the use of different typographic characters; and ©) by arrangement in columns ( s¢ 6.2 ). Guide for identification by hour numbers of the phase conductors of 3-phate electrical systems, ‘Guide for uniform system of marking and identification of conductors and apparatus terminals. 10IS : 5578 - 1984 6.2 The different elements constituting a mark should be either: a) along the axis of conductor ( longitudinal marking ); or b) across the axis of the conductor ( transverse marking ). In all cases, the characters should be so placed as to facilitate read~ ing. They may be arranged ina column or in a row ( ve Fig. 10), and. shail then be read from top to bottom and from left to right. fo UZ Longitudinal Marking in a Row S43 VY, Longitudinal Marking in a Column iY Transverse Marking in a Row Transverse Marking in a Column Fro. 10 Examrres or ARRANGEMENTS OF Marxs on Conpucrors or Conpuctor Groups ( Castes ) n18 1 5578 - 1984 7. RELATIVE POSITIONS OF MARKS 7.1 Dependent Marking 7.1.1 In the case of dependent marking (local-end or remote-end ), the order in which the marks should be written is as follows: Corresponding terminal mark; and If necessary, the supplementary marks (see 5). Figure 11 gives examples: b) Local-end Marking Fig. 11 Exampres or Depenpent MARKING WITH SUPPLEWENTARY Marks 7.1.2 In the case of dependent both-end marking, of which Fig. 12 gives three examples, the order is as follows: a) The mark of one of the two terminals; b) If necessary, the supplementary marks ( see 5 ); and c) The mark of the other terminal. 121S : 5578 - 1984 Example A : Identical Marks Example B: Different Example C : Intermediate on Both Ends Marks on Each End Mark Only Fic, 12. Exametes of THE Orper oF Markine IN THE DepENDENT Botu-Enp Markinc 7.2 Independent Marking — In the case of independent marking, the order is as follows: Identification mark of the conductor; and If necessary, the supplementary marks ( see 5 ). Figure 13 gives an example: ropes Ro 30 16s. 16 — identification mark of the conductor, and S—supplementary mark. Fic. 13 InpereNpenT Marxino 7.3 Composite Marking — In the case of composite marking of a conductor, the order is as follows: a) Mark of one terminal; b) Independent mark of the conductor; ©) If necessary, the supplementary marks ( see 5); and 4) Finally, the mark of the other terminal ( in the case of dependent both-end marking ) B18 15578 - 1984 Figure 14 gives four examples: AN-16/S Al-18/S/D3, A c) Both-end Marking (identical marks on both ends) Al-16/S/03 p3-16/S/A1 A OD d) Both-end Marking (different marks on each end) 16 identification mark of the conductor, and ‘S— supplementary mark Fro. 14 Exametzs of Gomrosire MARKiNo Nowe In some cases it may be appropriate to add additional significance to Oo eT eon caaet ates the dependeat both-end marking,” it may be sae sed thatthe mucking ofthe focal eau tormiaal fs placed next fo the conductor end (se Fig. 12, Example B }. “41S 1 5578 - 1984 8. CHARACTERS TO BE USED 8.1 Marks should be written as far as possible in Roman capitals and in Arabic numerals or in standardized graphical symbols. In the case of dependent marking, however, the marks should be written as far as possible in the same characters as are used for the terminal markings. 9. INSCRIPTION ON DIAGRAMS OF MARKS CARRIED BY CONDUCTORS ( OR GROUP OF CONDUCTORS ) 9.1 To indicate on a diagram the mark carried by a conductor, the mark should be inscribed close to the conductor symbol, as shown in the preced= ing figures, 9.2 Where dependent both-end marking is used, the sequence of the terminal markingsof which the conductor markings is made up shall be the same on the diagram as on the conductor, at both ends, 9.3 Supplementary marks, according to their function, may be written: on the diagram only, on certain conductors only or on all of them, and on both the diagram and the conductors. 15BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS. Headquarters. 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