EPLAN P8 — Location Designation (+) Reference Guide
| Based on IEC 81346 | Expert conventions from machine building, process, energy, and infrastructure industries |
Table of Contents
- Fundamentals
- IEC 81346 Location Hierarchy Principles
- Machine Building
- Panel Building & OEM
- Process & Chemical Industry
- Oil & Gas
- Water & Wastewater Treatment
- Power Distribution & Energy
- Building Automation (BAS/BMS)
- Automotive Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom
- Renewable Energy — Solar PV
- Renewable Energy — Wind
- Marine & Shipbuilding
- Rail & Transportation
- Data Centre & IT Infrastructure
- Mining & Heavy Industry
- HVAC Systems
- Safety & SIL Systems
- Full Structure Examples
- Location vs Function — Side by Side
- Common Mistakes
- Expert Tips
Fundamentals
The Three Pillars of EPLAN Referencing (IEC 81346)
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| = Function designation → WHAT it does
+ Location designation → WHERE it is
- Device designation → WHAT it is (component tag)
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What Location Designation Represents
Location designation describes the physical place where a component, panel, or cable is installed. It answers the question:
“If I walked into the facility, where would I physically find this item?”
Location Hierarchy — Three Typical Levels
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| +SITE Level 1 — Site / facility
+SITE.BUILDING Level 2 — Building / structure
+SITE.BUILDING.ROOM Level 3 — Room / area
+SITE.BUILDING.ROOM.PANEL Level 4 — Panel / enclosure (common deepest level)
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Full Tag Syntax
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| =FUNCTION+LOCATION-DEVICE
Examples:
=CTRL+SITE1.BLDG_A.CR1.PLC_CAB-CPU01 PLC CPU in cabinet, control room, building A, site 1
=PWR+PLANT.MCC_ROOM.MCC1-Q3 Contactor in MCC1, MCC room, plant
=SAFE+MACHINE.CP1-F3_SAFE Safety relay in control panel CP1 on machine
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Separator Rules
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| . Sub-level separator +SITE.BUILDING.ROOM
- Device tag follows +PANEL1-K1
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IEC 81346 Location Hierarchy Principles
IEC 81346 does not prescribe fixed letter codes for location the same way it does for function classes. Instead it defines a structural hierarchy — engineers apply their own naming within that hierarchy. Common expert interpretations:
Geographic / Spatial Levels
| Level | Typical Scope | Example | |——-|————–|———| | 1 | Site / campus / facility | +SITE_A, +PLANT1, +OFFSHORE_A | | 2 | Building / structure / area | +BLDG_1, +PROCESS_AREA, +PLATFORM | | 3 | Room / zone / floor | +MCC_ROOM, +CTRL_ROOM, +L01 | | 4 | Panel / enclosure / cabinet | +MCC1, +PLC_CAB, +JB1 | | 5 | Device mounting location | Typically becomes the - device tag |
Naming Styles Used by Experts
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| Descriptive: +CONTROL_ROOM.PLC_CABINET
Alphanumeric: +CR1.CAB01
Code-based: +CR.C01
Short: +CR.PLC1
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Machine Building
Convention: Machine sections and control panels. Simple — usually 1 to 2 levels. Common in European and Australian machine builders.
Single Machine
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| +MACHINE The machine itself (top level)
+MACHINE.CP1 Control panel 1 (main electrical enclosure)
+MACHINE.CP2 Control panel 2 (secondary or remote panel)
+MACHINE.OP1 Operator station 1
+MACHINE.OP2 Operator station 2
+MACHINE.JB1 Junction box 1
+MACHINE.JB2 Junction box 2
+MACHINE.FIELD Field-mounted devices (sensors, actuators)
+MACHINE.BED Machine bed / base
+MACHINE.HEAD Machine head / upper section
+MACHINE.DOOR Machine guarding / door area
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Multi-Section Machine (e.g. transfer line)
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| +LINE Production line (top level)
+LINE.SEC_A Section A
+LINE.SEC_B Section B
+LINE.SEC_C Section C
+LINE.SEC_A.CP1 Control panel in section A
+LINE.SEC_B.CP1 Control panel in section B
+LINE.SEC_C.CP1 Control panel in section C
+LINE.SEC_A.OP1 Operator station in section A
+LINE.CONV Conveyor area
+LINE.LOAD Loading station
+LINE.UNLOAD Unloading station
+LINE.INFEED Infeed conveyor area
+LINE.OUTFEED Outfeed conveyor area
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CNC Machine
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| +CNC CNC machine
+CNC.ELEC_CAB Electrical cabinet (rear of machine)
+CNC.CTRL_CAB CNC controller cabinet
+CNC.OP_PANEL Operator panel (front)
+CNC.JB1 Junction box 1
+CNC.SPINDLE Spindle area
+CNC.TABLE Machine table area
+CNC.COOLANT Coolant system area
+CNC.CHIP Chip conveyor area
+CNC.TOOL_CHGR Tool changer area
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Robotic Cell
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| +CELL Robot cell (top level)
+CELL.CP1 Main control panel
+CELL.CP_R1 Robot 1 controller cabinet
+CELL.CP_R2 Robot 2 controller cabinet
+CELL.OP1 Operator station
+CELL.SAFETY_POST Safety monitoring post
+CELL.FENCE Perimeter fence area
+CELL.INFEED Infeed station
+CELL.OUTFEED Outfeed station
+CELL.JB1 Junction box 1
+CELL.JB2 Junction box 2
+CELL.WELD_AREA Welding area
+CELL.FIXTURE Fixture / tooling area
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Panel Building & OEM
Convention: Panel or enclosure as the primary location. Often the only level used. Suitable for standalone panel projects.
Single Panel Project
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| +PANEL Panel (if only one)
+MCC Motor control centre
+DB Distribution board
+CP Control panel
+JB Junction box
+OP Operator panel / station
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Multi-Panel Project
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| +MCC1 MCC 1
+MCC2 MCC 2
+MCC3 MCC 3
+PLC_CAB PLC cabinet
+DB1 Distribution board 1
+DB2 Distribution board 2
+DB3 Distribution board 3
+EDB Essential distribution board
+JB1 Junction box 1
+JB2 Junction box 2
+JB3 Junction box 3
+OP1 Operator station 1
+OP2 Operator station 2
+FIELD Field devices (no enclosure)
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MCC Internal Sections
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| +MCC1 MCC 1 (top level)
+MCC1.INC Incoming section
+MCC1.BUS Busbar section
+MCC1.SEC_A Section A — motor feeders
+MCC1.SEC_B Section B — VFD feeders
+MCC1.SOFT Softstarter section
+MCC1.CTRL Control section / PLC drawer
+MCC1.METER Metering section
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Process & Chemical Industry
Convention: Plant → area → room → panel. Mirrors the plant layout and P&ID area breakdown.
Plant Hierarchy
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| +PLANT Entire plant site
+PLANT.AREA_10 Process area 10 (raw material intake)
+PLANT.AREA_20 Process area 20 (pre-treatment)
+PLANT.AREA_30 Process area 30 (reaction)
+PLANT.AREA_40 Process area 40 (separation)
+PLANT.AREA_50 Process area 50 (purification)
+PLANT.AREA_60 Process area 60 (product storage)
+PLANT.UTIL Utilities area
+PLANT.CTRL_ROOM Central control room
+PLANT.SUBST Electrical substation
+PLANT.WORKSHOP Maintenance workshop
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Within a Process Area
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| +PLANT.AREA_30 Reaction area (top level)
+PLANT.AREA_30.MCC1 MCC for area 30
+PLANT.AREA_30.PLC_CAB PLC cabinet for area 30
+PLANT.AREA_30.JB_R01 Junction box at reactor R01
+PLANT.AREA_30.JB_R02 Junction box at reactor R02
+PLANT.AREA_30.OP1 Local operator station
+PLANT.AREA_30.FIELD Field instruments and devices
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Control Room
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| +CTRL_ROOM Central control room
+CTRL_ROOM.DCS_CAB1 DCS cabinet 1
+CTRL_ROOM.DCS_CAB2 DCS cabinet 2
+CTRL_ROOM.HIST_CAB Historian server cabinet
+CTRL_ROOM.UPS_CAB UPS cabinet
+CTRL_ROOM.PATCH Patch panel / comms cabinet
+CTRL_ROOM.DESK1 Operator workstation 1
+CTRL_ROOM.DESK2 Operator workstation 2
+CTRL_ROOM.ENG_DESK Engineering workstation
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Utilities Area
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| +UTIL Utilities area
+UTIL.COMPRESS_RM Compressor room
+UTIL.BOILER_RM Boiler room
+UTIL.COOL_TOWER Cooling tower area
+UTIL.WATER_TREAT Water treatment area
+UTIL.SUBST Electrical substation
+UTIL.GEN_RM Generator room
+UTIL.BATT_RM Battery room
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Oil & Gas
Convention: Platform / facility → module → area → panel. Follows ISO 10628 and discipline-specific layouts.
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| +PLATFORM Offshore platform / FPSO (top level)
+PLATFORM.CELLAR Cellar deck
+PLATFORM.MAIN Main deck
+PLATFORM.UPPER Upper deck
+PLATFORM.MEZZANINE Mezzanine deck
+PLATFORM.CCR Central control room
+PLATFORM.LER Local equipment room (per area)
+PLATFORM.LER_A LER area A
+PLATFORM.LER_B LER area B
+PLATFORM.LER_C LER area C
+PLATFORM.ER Main electrical room
+PLATFORM.BATT_RM Battery room
+PLATFORM.WELLBAY Wellbay area
+PLATFORM.PROC_A Process module A
+PLATFORM.PROC_B Process module B
+PLATFORM.COMP Compression module
+PLATFORM.UTIL Utilities module
+PLATFORM.ACCOM Accommodation block
+PLATFORM.LIFEBOAT Lifeboat station
+PLATFORM.HELIDECK Helideck
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Onshore Gas Plant / Refinery
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| +FACILITY Plant facility (top level)
+FACILITY.PROCESS Process area
+FACILITY.COMPRESS Compression area
+FACILITY.STORAGE Storage area
+FACILITY.LOADING Truck / rail loading area
+FACILITY.FLARE Flare area
+FACILITY.SUBST Main substation
+FACILITY.CTRL_BLDG Control building
+FACILITY.CTRL_BLDG.CCR Central control room
+FACILITY.CTRL_BLDG.ENG Engineering room
+FACILITY.CTRL_BLDG.UPS UPS room
+FACILITY.CTRL_BLDG.COMMS Communications room
+FACILITY.MAINT_BLDG Maintenance building
+FACILITY.FIRE_STN Fire station
+FACILITY.WAREHSE Warehouse
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Local Equipment Rooms (LER)
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| +LER_A Local equipment room A
+LER_A.MCC1 MCC 1
+LER_A.PLC_CAB PLC / ESD cabinet
+LER_A.JB1 Junction box 1
+LER_A.SAFE_CAB Safety system cabinet
+LER_A.COMM_CAB Communications cabinet
+LER_A.UPS_CAB UPS cabinet
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Water & Wastewater Treatment
Convention: Site → structure / building → room → panel. Follows asset register and site layout.
Water Treatment Plant
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| +SITE Treatment plant site
+SITE.INTAKE Intake structure
+SITE.INTAKE.CP1 Control panel at intake
+SITE.INTAKE.JB1 Junction box at intake
+SITE.FLOC Flocculation building
+SITE.FLOC.CP1 Control panel in floc building
+SITE.FILT Filter building
+SITE.FILT.CP1 Control panel in filter building
+SITE.FILT.JB1 Junction box at filter 1
+SITE.FILT.JB2 Junction box at filter 2
+SITE.DOSE Dosing building
+SITE.DOSE.CP1 Chemical dosing panel
+SITE.PUMP_STN Pump station
+SITE.PUMP_STN.MCC1 MCC at pump station
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG Central control building
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.CR Control room
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.CR.SCADA_CAB SCADA cabinet
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.CR.UPS_CAB UPS cabinet
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.SUBST Switchroom / substation
+SITE.SLUDGE Sludge handling area
+SITE.SLUDGE.CP1 Sludge control panel
+SITE.RESERVOIR Clear water reservoir
+SITE.RESERVOIR.CP1 Reservoir control panel
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Remote Pump Station (Telemetry)
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| +PS_01 Pump station 01
+PS_01.CP1 Main control panel
+PS_01.MCC1 Motor control centre
+PS_01.JB1 Junction box 1
+PS_01.VALVE_PIT Valve pit
+PS_01.WELL Wet well
+PS_02 Pump station 02
+PS_02.CP1 Main control panel
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Power Distribution & Energy
Convention: Site → substation → room → panel. Used by utilities, EPC, and substation designers. Often follows network naming conventions.
HV/MV Substation
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| +SUBST Substation (top level)
+SUBST.YARD Switchyard (outdoor HV equipment)
+SUBST.YARD.GANTRY HV gantry / structure
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG Control building
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM Relay / protection room
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.BATT_RM Battery room
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.HVAC_RM HVAC plant room
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.CABLE_BSMT Cable basement
+SUBST.GIS_BLDG GIS building (indoor switchgear)
+SUBST.TRANS_YARD Transformer yard
+SUBST.TRANS_YARD.TX1 Transformer 1 bay
+SUBST.TRANS_YARD.TX2 Transformer 2 bay
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.PNL_A Protection panel A
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.PNL_B Protection panel B
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.DC_DB DC distribution board
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.SCADA SCADA/RTU cabinet
+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.COMMS Communications cabinet
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Industrial Power Distribution
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| +SITE Plant site
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST Main substation
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.HV_ROOM HV switchgear room
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.MV_ROOM MV switchgear room
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.LV_ROOM LV switchgear room
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.BATT_RM Battery room
+AREA_A Production area A
+AREA_A.SS_A Area A substation
+AREA_A.SS_A.MCC1 MCC 1
+AREA_A.SS_A.MCC2 MCC 2
+AREA_A.SS_A.DB1 Distribution board 1
+AREA_B Production area B
+AREA_B.SS_B Area B substation
+AREA_B.SS_B.MCC3 MCC 3
+UTIL Utilities area
+UTIL.GEN_RM Generator room
+UTIL.GEN_RM.GEN1 Generator 1 enclosure
+UTIL.GEN_RM.GEN2 Generator 2 enclosure
+UTIL.UPS_RM UPS room
+UTIL.UPS_RM.UPS1 UPS 1 cabinet
+UTIL.UPS_RM.DIST UPS distribution board
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Building Automation (BAS/BMS)
Convention: Building → floor / zone → room → panel. Mirrors building layout and services zones.
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| +BLDG Building (top level)
+BLDG.B1 Basement level 1
+BLDG.GF Ground floor
+BLDG.L1 Level 1
+BLDG.L2 Level 2
+BLDG.L3 Level 3
+BLDG.ROOF Roof level
+BLDG.PLANT_RM Main plant room (typically basement or roof)
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.AHU_1 AHU 1 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.AHU_2 AHU 2 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.CHILLER Chiller location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.BOILER Boiler location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.MCC1 MCC 1
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.BMS_CAB BMS controller cabinet
+BLDG.ELEC_RM Main electrical room
+BLDG.ELEC_RM.MSB Main switchboard
+BLDG.ELEC_RM.DB_MAIN Main DB
+BLDG.ELEC_RM.UPS UPS
+BLDG.L1.ELEC_RISER Level 1 electrical riser
+BLDG.L1.ELEC_RISER.DB_L1 Level 1 distribution board
+BLDG.L2.ELEC_RISER.DB_L2 Level 2 distribution board
+BLDG.ROOF.COOL_TOWER Cooling tower location
+BLDG.CARPARK Carpark area
+BLDG.CARPARK.DB_CP Carpark distribution board
+BLDG.LOBBY Lobby area
+BLDG.LOBBY.OP1 Lobby operator / reception panel
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Multi-Building Campus
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| +CAMPUS Campus (top level)
+CAMPUS.BLDG_A Building A
+CAMPUS.BLDG_B Building B
+CAMPUS.BLDG_C Building C
+CAMPUS.CENTRAL Central plant building
+CAMPUS.CENTRAL.CHILLER_RM Chiller room
+CAMPUS.CENTRAL.BOILER_RM Boiler room
+CAMPUS.CENTRAL.SUBST Electrical substation
+CAMPUS.BLDG_A.PLANT_RM Building A plant room
+CAMPUS.BLDG_A.L1 Building A level 1
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Automotive Manufacturing
Convention: Plant → shop → line / zone → panel. Follows production layout and area numbering.
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| +PLANT Manufacturing plant (top level)
+PLANT.BODY Body shop
+PLANT.BODY.STAMP Stamping area
+PLANT.BODY.STAMP.CP1 Stamping control panel 1
+PLANT.BODY.WELD Welding area
+PLANT.BODY.WELD.CP_W1 Welding CP zone 1
+PLANT.BODY.WELD.CP_W2 Welding CP zone 2
+PLANT.BODY.GEO Geometry station
+PLANT.PAINT Paint shop
+PLANT.PAINT.PREP Pre-treatment area
+PLANT.PAINT.ED ED primer area
+PLANT.PAINT.BASE Basecoat booth
+PLANT.PAINT.CLEAR Clearcoat booth
+PLANT.PAINT.OVEN Paint oven area
+PLANT.PAINT.CP1 Paint shop main CP
+PLANT.TRIM Trim assembly
+PLANT.TRIM.T1 Trim line 1
+PLANT.TRIM.T1.CP1 Trim line 1 CP
+PLANT.TRIM.T2 Trim line 2
+PLANT.CHASSIS Chassis and drivetrain
+PLANT.FINAL Final assembly
+PLANT.FINAL.EOL End of line test area
+PLANT.UTIL Plant utilities area
+PLANT.UTIL.SUBST Electrical substation
+PLANT.UTIL.COMPRESS Compressor room
+PLANT.UTIL.WATER Water treatment room
+PLANT.CTRL_RM Central control room
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Food & Beverage
Convention: Site → production area → room → panel. Zoning often follows food safety hygiene zones (raw / ready-to-eat separation).
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| +SITE Production site
+SITE.RAW Raw material area (low care zone)
+SITE.RAW.RECV Receiving dock
+SITE.RAW.STORE Raw material store
+SITE.RAW.CP1 Raw area control panel
+SITE.PROC Processing area (medium care zone)
+SITE.PROC.PREP Preparation room
+SITE.PROC.COOK Cooking area
+SITE.PROC.COOL Cooling area
+SITE.PROC.CP1 Processing control panel
+SITE.PROC.JB1 Junction box 1
+SITE.PROC.JB2 Junction box 2
+SITE.HIGH_CARE High care area (ready-to-eat)
+SITE.HIGH_CARE.FILL Filling room
+SITE.HIGH_CARE.PACK Packing room
+SITE.HIGH_CARE.CP1 High care control panel
+SITE.PACK Secondary packaging (low care)
+SITE.PACK.CART Cartoning area
+SITE.PACK.PALLETISE Palletising area
+SITE.PACK.CP1 Packing control panel
+SITE.REFRIG Refrigeration plant room
+SITE.REFRIG.CP1 Refrigeration panel
+SITE.STEAM Boiler / steam room
+SITE.STEAM.CP1 Steam control panel
+SITE.CIP CIP room
+SITE.CIP.CP1 CIP control panel
+SITE.SUBST Electrical substation
+SITE.SUBST.MDB Main distribution board
+SITE.CTRL_RM Control room
+SITE.CTRL_RM.SCADA_CAB SCADA cabinet
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Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom
Convention: Building → cleanroom grade zone → room → panel. Strictly follows GMP zoning (Grade A/B/C/D).
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| +BLDG Manufacturing building
+BLDG.UNCLASS Unclassified / general area
+BLDG.GRADE_D Grade D cleanroom corridor
+BLDG.GRADE_C Grade C cleanroom
+BLDG.GRADE_B Grade B cleanroom
+BLDG.GRADE_A Grade A (isolator / RABS)
+BLDG.GRADE_D.WEIGH Weighing room (Grade D)
+BLDG.GRADE_D.GOWN Gowning room
+BLDG.GRADE_C.FORM Formulation suite
+BLDG.GRADE_C.BLEND Blending room
+BLDG.GRADE_C.GRANUL Granulation room
+BLDG.GRADE_B.FILL Filling room
+BLDG.GRADE_B.LYOPHIL Lyophiliser room
+BLDG.GRADE_A.ISOLATOR Isolator (Grade A microenvironment)
+BLDG.UNCLASS.WFI_RM WFI plant room
+BLDG.UNCLASS.PW_RM Purified water plant room
+BLDG.UNCLASS.HVAC_RM HVAC plant room
+BLDG.UNCLASS.ELEC_RM Electrical room
+BLDG.UNCLASS.ELEC_RM.MDB Main distribution board
+BLDG.UNCLASS.ELEC_RM.UPS UPS cabinet
+BLDG.UNCLASS.CTRL_RM Control room
+BLDG.UNCLASS.CTRL_RM.DCS_CAB1 DCS cabinet 1
+BLDG.UNCLASS.CTRL_RM.DCS_CAB2 DCS cabinet 2
+BLDG.UNCLASS.CTRL_RM.SAFE_CAB Safety / ESD cabinet
+BLDG.UNCLASS.CTRL_RM.BMS_CAB BMS cabinet
+BLDG.FORM.CP1 Formulation local panel
+BLDG.FILL.CP1 Filling local panel
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Renewable Energy — Solar PV
Convention: Site → inverter station / block → combiner level → field. Based on electrical single-line topology.
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| +SITE Solar farm site
+SITE.POC Point of connection (grid interface)
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST Main grid-side substation
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.HV_SW HV switchgear
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.TX1 Export transformer 1
+SITE.MAIN_SUBST.TX2 Export transformer 2
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG Site control building
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.SCADA_CAB SCADA / monitoring cabinet
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.COMM_CAB Communications cabinet
+SITE.CTRL_BLDG.MET_STN Meteorological station (if co-located)
+SITE.BESS Battery energy storage area
+SITE.BESS.BATT_CAB1 Battery cabinet 1
+SITE.BESS.BATT_CAB2 Battery cabinet 2
+SITE.BESS.PCS_CAB PCS cabinet
+SITE.INV_STN_1 Inverter station 1
+SITE.INV_STN_1.INV1 Inverter 1 enclosure
+SITE.INV_STN_1.INV2 Inverter 2 enclosure
+SITE.INV_STN_1.TX_1 LV/MV step-up transformer
+SITE.INV_STN_2 Inverter station 2
+SITE.INV_STN_2.INV3 Inverter 3 enclosure
+SITE.INV_STN_2.INV4 Inverter 4 enclosure
+SITE.INV_STN_2.TX_2 LV/MV step-up transformer
+SITE.FIELD_A PV field area A (string arrays)
+SITE.FIELD_A.SCB1 String combiner box 1
+SITE.FIELD_A.SCB2 String combiner box 2
+SITE.FIELD_B PV field area B
+SITE.FIELD_B.SCB3 String combiner box 3
+SITE.FIELD_B.SCB4 String combiner box 4
+SITE.MET_MAST Meteorological mast
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Renewable Energy — Wind
Convention: Site → turbine (WTG number) → internal turbine area. Site infrastructure separate.
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| +SITE Wind farm site
+SITE.ONSHORE_SS Onshore substation
+SITE.ONSHORE_SS.CTRL_BLDG Control building
+SITE.ONSHORE_SS.YARD Switchyard
+SITE.OSS Offshore substation (offshore projects)
+SITE.OSS.HV_RM HV room
+SITE.OSS.MV_RM MV room
+SITE.OSS.AUX_RM Auxiliary room
+SITE.OSS.CTRL_RM Control room
+WTG_01 Wind turbine 01
+WTG_01.TOWER_BTM Tower base (bottom)
+WTG_01.TOWER_MID Tower mid-section
+WTG_01.NACELLE Nacelle
+WTG_01.NACELLE.CONV_CAB Converter cabinet
+WTG_01.NACELLE.CTRL_CAB Control cabinet
+WTG_01.NACELLE.TRANS Nacelle transformer
+WTG_01.HUB Hub
+WTG_01.TOWER_BTM.MV_SW MV switchgear at base
+WTG_02 Wind turbine 02
+WTG_02.TOWER_BTM Tower base
+WTG_02.NACELLE Nacelle
+WTG_02.HUB Hub
+ARRAY Array cable route (shared)
+ARRAY.JB1 Offshore junction box 1
+ARRAY.JB2 Offshore junction box 2
+METMAST Meteorological mast
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Marine & Shipbuilding
Convention: Vessel → deck → compartment / space. Follows ship block and compartment numbering. Common in naval architecture documentation.
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| +VESSEL The vessel (top level)
+VESSEL.KEEL Keel / bilge
+VESSEL.D1 Deck 1 (lowest)
+VESSEL.D2 Deck 2
+VESSEL.D3 Deck 3
+VESSEL.D4 Deck 4 (main deck)
+VESSEL.D5 Deck 5 (upper)
+VESSEL.BRIDGE Bridge deck
+VESSEL.D1.ER Engine room (typically lower decks)
+VESSEL.D1.ER.MAIN_SW Main switchboard
+VESSEL.D1.ER.EMERG_SW Emergency switchboard
+VESSEL.D1.ER.CTRL_PANEL Engine room control panel
+VESSEL.D1.ER.BATT_RM Battery room
+VESSEL.D1.CARGO Cargo hold
+VESSEL.D2.PUMP_RM Pump room
+VESSEL.D2.PUMP_RM.CP1 Pump room control panel
+VESSEL.D2.ELEC_RM Electrical equipment room
+VESSEL.D3.ACCOM Accommodation deck
+VESSEL.D3.ACCOM.DB1 Accommodation DB 1
+VESSEL.D4.MAST Mast
+VESSEL.D4.MAST.NAV_LIGHTS Navigation lights
+VESSEL.BRIDGE.HELM Helm station
+VESSEL.BRIDGE.DP Dynamic positioning console
+VESSEL.BRIDGE.NAV Navigation console
+VESSEL.BRIDGE.FIRE Fire and safety console
+VESSEL.FWD Forward section
+VESSEL.AFT Aft section
+VESSEL.AMIDSHIPS Midship section
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Rail & Transportation
Convention: Line → station / section → room → panel. Follows infrastructure asset hierarchy.
Metro / Light Rail Line
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| +LINE_1 Rail line 1 (top level)
+LINE_1.DEPOT Depot
+LINE_1.DEPOT.CTRL_BLDG Depot control building
+LINE_1.DEPOT.MAINT_BLDG Maintenance building
+LINE_1.DEPOT.SUBST Depot substation
+LINE_1.STN_A Station A
+LINE_1.STN_A.CTRL_RM Station control room
+LINE_1.STN_A.SUBST Station substation
+LINE_1.STN_A.SUBST.MV_SW MV switchgear
+LINE_1.STN_A.SUBST.DB_MAIN Station main DB
+LINE_1.STN_A.L1 Station level 1 (concourse)
+LINE_1.STN_A.L1.DB_L1 Level 1 distribution board
+LINE_1.STN_A.L1.PA_CAB PA/communications cabinet
+LINE_1.STN_A.L1.CCTV CCTV equipment
+LINE_1.STN_A.PLATFORM Platform level
+LINE_1.STN_A.PLATFORM.DB_PLT Platform DB
+LINE_1.STN_A.PLATFORM.PSD_CP PSD control panel
+LINE_1.STN_B Station B
+LINE_1.TUNNEL_A Tunnel section A
+LINE_1.TUNNEL_A.VENT_A Tunnel ventilation A
+LINE_1.TUNNEL_A.JB1 Tunnel junction box 1
+LINE_1.TRAC_SS_1 Traction substation 1
+LINE_1.TRAC_SS_1.RECT Rectifier
+LINE_1.TRAC_SS_1.CTRL_PANEL Control panel
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Data Centre & IT Infrastructure
Convention: Campus → data hall / room → row → rack. Follows TIA-942 / EN 50600 space hierarchy.
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| +DC Data centre facility
+DC.MDA Main distribution area
+DC.MDA.MSB Main switchboard
+DC.MDA.GENSET_RM Generator room
+DC.MDA.GENSET_RM.GEN1 Generator 1
+DC.MDA.GENSET_RM.GEN2 Generator 2
+DC.MDA.GENSET_RM.ATS1 ATS 1
+DC.MDA.UPS_RM UPS room
+DC.MDA.UPS_RM.UPS_A UPS system A
+DC.MDA.UPS_RM.UPS_B UPS system B
+DC.MDA.BATT_RM Battery room
+DC.COOL_PLANT Cooling plant room
+DC.COOL_PLANT.CHILLER1 Chiller 1
+DC.COOL_PLANT.CHILLER2 Chiller 2
+DC.COOL_PLANT.CT1 Cooling tower 1
+DC.COOL_PLANT.CT2 Cooling tower 2
+DC.HALL_A Data hall A
+DC.HALL_A.HDA1 Horizontal distribution area 1
+DC.HALL_A.HDA1.PDU_A1 PDU A1
+DC.HALL_A.HDA1.PDU_B1 PDU B1
+DC.HALL_A.ROW_1 Row 1
+DC.HALL_A.ROW_1.RACK_A01 Rack A01
+DC.HALL_A.ROW_1.RACK_A02 Rack A02
+DC.HALL_A.ROW_1.CRAC1 CRAC unit 1
+DC.HALL_B Data hall B
+DC.HALL_B.ROW_1 Row 1 in hall B
+DC.NETWORK_RM Network / telecoms room
+DC.NOC Network operations centre
+DC.SECURITY_RM Security control room
+DC.LOADING_DOCK Loading dock
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Mining & Heavy Industry
Convention: Site → area → structure → panel. Area codes often match mine plan grid or plant area numbering.
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| +MINE_SITE Mine site (top level)
+MINE_SITE.PIT Open pit area
+MINE_SITE.ROM Run-of-mine stockpile
+MINE_SITE.CRUSH Crushing plant
+MINE_SITE.CRUSH.CP_PRI Primary crusher control panel
+MINE_SITE.CRUSH.CP_SEC Secondary crusher control panel
+MINE_SITE.CRUSH.MCC1 Crushing MCC 1
+MINE_SITE.CRUSH.SUBST Crushing substation
+MINE_SITE.GRIND Grinding circuit
+MINE_SITE.GRIND.CP1 Grinding control panel
+MINE_SITE.GRIND.MCC2 Grinding MCC 2
+MINE_SITE.FLOAT Flotation circuit
+MINE_SITE.FLOAT.CP1 Flotation control panel
+MINE_SITE.TAILING Tailings area
+MINE_SITE.TAILING.CP1 Tailings control panel
+MINE_SITE.PROCESS_CTRL Process control building
+MINE_SITE.PROCESS_CTRL.DCS_CAB1 DCS cabinet 1
+MINE_SITE.PROCESS_CTRL.DCS_CAB2 DCS cabinet 2
+MINE_SITE.PROCESS_CTRL.UPS_CAB UPS cabinet
+MINE_SITE.MAIN_SUBST Main substation
+MINE_SITE.MAIN_SUBST.HV_SW HV switchgear
+MINE_SITE.MAIN_SUBST.TX1 Main transformer 1
+MINE_SITE.MAIN_SUBST.MV_SW MV switchgear
+MINE_SITE.SS_CRUSH Crushing area substation
+MINE_SITE.SS_GRIND Grinding area substation
+MINE_SITE.WORKSHOP Maintenance workshop
+MINE_SITE.WORKSHOP.MCC_WS Workshop MCC
+MINE_SITE.ADMIN Administration building
+MINE_SITE.WAREHOUSE Warehouse
+MINE_SITE.CONVEY Conveyor transfer stations
+MINE_SITE.CONVEY.TS1 Transfer station 1
+MINE_SITE.CONVEY.TS2 Transfer station 2
+MINE_SITE.CONVEY.OLC Overland conveyor route
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HVAC Systems
Convention: Building → plant room / floor → equipment room → enclosure. Mirrors mechanical services layout.
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| +BLDG Building
+BLDG.PLANT_RM Main plant room
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.AHU_1 AHU 1 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.AHU_2 AHU 2 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.FCU_RM Fan coil unit plant room
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.CHILLER_1 Chiller 1 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.CHILLER_2 Chiller 2 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.BOILER_1 Boiler 1 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.BOILER_2 Boiler 2 location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.PUMP_SET Pump set location
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.MCC1 HVAC MCC 1
+BLDG.PLANT_RM.BMS_CAB BMS controller cabinet
+BLDG.ROOF Roof
+BLDG.ROOF.CT1 Cooling tower 1
+BLDG.ROOF.CT2 Cooling tower 2
+BLDG.ROOF.ERV Energy recovery unit
+BLDG.ROOF.EAH Exhaust air hood
+BLDG.L1 Level 1
+BLDG.L1.ELEC_RISER.DB_L1 Level 1 HVAC DB
+BLDG.L1.FCU_1 FCU at level 1, position 1
+BLDG.L1.FCU_2 FCU at level 1, position 2
+BLDG.L2 Level 2
+BLDG.L2.AHU_3 AHU 3 at level 2 (roof of level 2)
+BLDG.CARPARK.CP1 Carpark ventilation panel
+BLDG.FIRE_RM Fire pump room
+BLDG.FIRE_RM.CP1 Fire pump control panel
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Safety & SIL Systems
Convention: Mirrors the primary plant location structure. Safety equipment co-located with process, so + follows process areas. SIL-rated cabinets often in segregated safety rooms.
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| +SAFE_RM Dedicated safety equipment room (where segregated)
+SAFE_RM.SIS_CAB1 SIS logic solver cabinet 1
+SAFE_RM.SIS_CAB2 SIS logic solver cabinet 2
+SAFE_RM.ESD_CAB ESD cabinet
+SAFE_RM.F&G_CAB F&G controller cabinet
+SAFE_RM.UPS_CAB Safety UPS cabinet
+CTRL_RM Control room (where safety is co-located)
+CTRL_RM.SIS_CAB SIS cabinet in control room
+AREA_A Process area A (field safety devices)
+AREA_A.JB_SAFE1 Safety junction box 1 (segregated from process JBs)
+AREA_A.JB_SAFE2 Safety junction box 2
+AREA_A.ESTOP_1 E-stop post 1
+AREA_A.ESTOP_2 E-stop post 2
+PLANT.SAFE_RM Plant-level safety room
+PLANT.SAFE_RM.SIS_CAB SIS cabinet
+PLANT.SAFE_RM.FIRE_CAB Fire panel
+PLATFORM.SAFE_RM Offshore platform safety room
+PLATFORM.SAFE_RM.ESD_CAB ESD cabinet
+PLATFORM.SAFE_RM.F&G_CAB F&G cabinet
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Full Structure Examples
Example 1 — Pump Station (simple project)
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| Full tag: =CTRL+CP1-K1
Meaning: Control relay K1, located in control panel CP1
Full tag: =PWR+MCC1-Q3
Meaning: Contactor Q3, located in MCC 1
Full tag: =INST+FIELD-FT101
Meaning: Flow transmitter FT101, in field (no enclosure)
Full tag: =SCADA+CTRL_RM.SCADA_CAB-CPU
Meaning: SCADA CPU, in SCADA cabinet, in control room
Full tag: =SAFE+MCC1-F1_SAFE
Meaning: Motor protection relay, in MCC 1, safety function
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Example 2 — Process Plant (multi-level)
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| =U30+PLANT.AREA_30.MCC1-Q5 Contactor Q5, MCC1, area 30
=CTRL+PLANT.CTRL_BLDG.CR.DCS1-CPU DCS CPU, cabinet DCS1, control room
=INST+PLANT.AREA_30.FIELD-PT301 Pressure xmtr PT301, field, area 30
=SAFE+PLANT.AREA_30.JB_SAFE1-F3 Safety relay, safe JB1, area 30
=UTIL+PLANT.UTIL.UPS_RM.UPS1-CB1 Circuit breaker, UPS 1, UPS room
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Example 3 — Substation (IEC 81346 aligned)
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| =Q1+SUBST.YARD.TX1-Q1 Main transformer incomer isolator in TX1 bay
=F1.PROT+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.PNL_A-K21 Overcurrent relay in relay panel A
=G1+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.BATT_RM-G1 Battery bank in battery room
=D1+SUBST.CTRL_BLDG.RELAY_RM.SCADA-CPU RTU/SCADA CPU in relay room
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Example 4 — Machine with Multiple Panels
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| =CTRL.PLC+MACHINE.CP1-CPU PLC CPU in main control panel
=CTRL.IO+MACHINE.CP1-DI01 DI module in main control panel
=DRIVE.X+MACHINE.CP1-VFD_X X-axis VFD in main control panel
=CTRL.HMI+MACHINE.OP1-TP700 HMI at operator station 1
=SENS.POS+MACHINE.FIELD-B1 Proximity sensor on machine field
=SAFE.GUARD+MACHINE.CP1-F3_SAFE Safety relay in main control panel
=ACT.PNEU+MACHINE.FIELD-YV1 Solenoid valve in machine field
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Location vs Function — Side by Side
| Aspect | Function = | Location + |
|---|
| Answers | What does it do? | Where is it? |
| Example | =CTRL (control function) | +CP1 (control panel 1) |
| Hierarchy | Functional decomposition | Physical/spatial hierarchy |
| Standard | IEC 81346 function classes | IEC 81346 spatial hierarchy |
| Driven by | System architecture / P&ID | Site layout / drawings |
| Changes when | System design changes | Physical installation changes |
| Used for | Filtering by system | Filtering by panel / area |
| Typical depth | 1–3 levels | 2–4 levels |
Common Pairings
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| =CTRL +CP1 Control relay in control panel 1
=PWR +MCC1 Power contactor in MCC 1
=DRIVE +CP1 VFD in control panel
=SAFE +MCC1 Safety relay in MCC 1
=INST +FIELD Field instrument (no panel)
=SCADA +CTRL_RM.CAB1 PLC in control room cabinet 1
=UTIL +UPS_RM.UPS1 Circuit breaker in UPS system 1
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Common Mistakes
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct | Reason |
|---|
+CONTROL_SYSTEM | =CTRL | Control system is a function, not a location |
+MOTOR_CTRL | =CTRL with +MCC1 | Motor control is function; MCC1 is location |
+PUMP_1 | +FIELD or +JB1 | Pump 1 is a device (-P1), not a location |
Leaving + blank for field devices | +FIELD or +JB1 | Blank location breaks cable and terminal reports |
+MAIN_SWITCHBOARD_ROOM | +MSB_RM | Too long — truncated in reports |
| Different naming per engineer | Agree on convention at project start | Inconsistency ruins report filtering |
+PANEL A (with space) | +PANEL_A | Spaces break EPLAN structure |
Starting with number: +1MCC | +MCC1 | Numbers should not lead in most naming conventions |
Mixing depth: some +MCC, some +SITE.PLANT.MCC | Consistent depth throughout | Mixed depth makes report filtering unreliable |
Putting instrument tag in location: +FT101 | +FIELD-FT101 | FT101 is a device tag -FT101, not a location |
Expert Tips
1. Define your location hierarchy before page 1
Sketch the physical layout: site → building → room → panel. Lock this down before drawing starts. Changing location structure mid-project is painful.
2. Match + to your panel schedule and single-line diagram
If your SLD calls it MCC-1A, your EPLAN location should be +MCC_1A. Consistency across documents saves hours during FAT and installation.
3. Always give field devices a location
Even if a device is just bolted to a machine, use +MACHINE.FIELD or +FIELD. A blank + location causes missing entries in cable schedules and terminal reports.
4. Keep location names short but recognisable
+CTRL_RM is better than +CENTRAL_CONTROL_ROOM. Names appear in report column headers — long names truncate.
5. Use location to drive cable routing logic
In EPLAN Topology, + locations become nodes on your routing network. A clean + structure = automatic cable length estimation that actually works.
6. Reserve +FIELD as a catch-all for unenclosed devices
Any sensor, actuator, or instrument without a dedicated enclosure should land on +FIELD or +AREA_XX.FIELD. This keeps terminal and connection reports clean.
7. Align with the client’s asset register
Many clients have existing asset hierarchies (SAP, Maximo, IBM Maximo). If their asset register calls the room CR-01, your + designation should match: +CR_01.
8. Create a location structure page early
Use a Structure identifier overview page type in EPLAN to document and display your full + hierarchy. It acts as a quick reference for the whole team.
9. Consider maintenance access zones
Group locations logically by who maintains them. A panel maintained by the client’s electrical team should have a different location than one maintained by an automation vendor — this makes filtering maintenance documentation far easier.
10. Test your location structure with one report before full build-out
Run a terminal diagram or cable schedule early with just a few pages. If the location filtering, grouping, and sorting all look correct, proceed. If not, fix the structure before it’s replicated across hundreds of pages.
Based on IEC 81346 | IEC 61355 | TIA-942 | EN 50600 | ISO 10628 | IACS Rules Expert conventions compiled from machine building, process, energy, infrastructure, maritime, and data centre industries
