P&ID FUNDAMENTALS

ISA Symbols and Loop Diagrams

Prepared By: Dr. Alexis John M. Rubio
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)
P&IDs
A piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is a
diagram in the process industry which shows the piping of
the process flow together with the installed equipment
and instrumentation. The P&ID are also used to operate
the process system. P&ID shows all of piping including
the physical sequence of branches, reducers, valves,
equipment, instrumentation and control interlocks.
P&IDs
Based on Institute of Instrumentation and Control, a
piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is defined by
the diagram which shows the interconnection of process
equipment and the instrumentation used to control the
process. In the process industry, a standard set of
symbols is used to prepare drawings of processes. The
instrument symbols used in these drawings are generally
based on International Society Automation (ISA)
Standard S5.1
P&IDs
A P&ID should include:
• Instrumentation and designations
• Mechanical equipment with names and numbers
• All valves and their identifications
• Process piping, sizes and identification
• Miscellaneous - vents, drains, special fittings, sampling lines,
reducers, increasers and swagers
• Permanent start-up and flush lines
• Flow directions
• Interconnections references
P&IDs
A P&ID should include:
• Control inputs and outputs, interlocks
• Interfaces for class changes
• Seismic category
• Quality level
• Annunciation inputs
• Computer control system input
• Vendor and contractor interfaces
• Identification of components and subsystems delivered by others
• Intended physical sequence of the equipment
P&IDs
A P&ID should not include:
• Equipment rating or capacities
• Instrument root valves
• Control relays
• Manual switches and indicating lights
• Primary instrument tubing and valves
• Pressure temperature and flow data
• Elbows and similar standard fittings
• Extensive explanatory notes
• Process Flow Diagram - PFD
Temperature Process
Using pictorial diagrams may be informative however it is
not practical or CAD friendly especially in a multi-loop
process.
Building the P&ID
The P&ID will use symbols and circles to represent each
instrument and how they are interconnected in the
process.
Tag Numbers
Tag “numbers” are letters and numbers placed within or
near the instrument to identify the type and function of the
device.
Tag Descriptors
Tag Numbers
Tag “numbers” are letters and numbers placed within or
near the instrument to type and function of the device.
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.
Instrument Type and Location
Instrument Bubble
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)
Process Lines
Valve Symbols
Process Symbols
P&ID Example
P&ID Exercise
P&ID Exercise Answer
Process Flow Diagram
A process flow diagram (PFD) shows less detail than a
P&ID and is used only to understand how the process
works.
THANK YOU!