{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"iec-telephone-set-symbol","name":"Telephone set symbol","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"TEL","aliases":["telephone handset","telephone instrument","phone"],"category":"installation-communications","drawingTypes":["GA","Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC"],"summary":"Symbol for a telephone instrument, drawn as a handset shape, used on communication layouts and schematics.","description":["The telephone set symbol shows the instrument itself, usually as a stylised handset over a base or a circle with a handset. It appears on communication system diagrams, lift and emergency phone schematics and on plans where a fixed phone is supplied.","Where a phone is provided as part of a system, such as a lift car phone, help point or emergency phone, the symbol distinguishes the supplied device from a simple outlet. The plan then tags the device type. The symbol does not tell you whether the instrument is analogue, IP or hands-free."],"readingNotes":["Check whether the instrument is supplied or only the outlet.","Read the device type tag."],"drawingChecklist":["State instrument type.","Show its outlet or line.","Note emergency use where relevant."],"distinction":"A telephone outlet is the termination; the telephone set symbol is the instrument.","facts":[{"label":"Represents","value":"Telephone instrument"},{"label":"Typical system uses","value":"Lift phones, help points, emergency phones"},{"label":"Exact standard graphic","value":"Not reproduced here; confirm the form against IEC 60617 and the project legend"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"iec-diagrams","relevance":"IEC graphical symbol context for installation and communication plans; independently drawn here."},{"sourceId":"iec-public-propagation","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented propagation and signal-flow qualifiers used on communication symbols."}],"related":["iec-telephone-outlet","iec-door-intercom-station"],"artwork":"s28-iec-telephone-set-symbol","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Telephone set","reference":"IEC 60617 installation-plan style (architectural and topographical installation symbols); independently drawn, not certified IEC geometry or a database identifier."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Telephone set mean?","introduction":"The telephone set symbol shows the instrument itself, usually as a stylised handset over a base or a circle with a handset. It appears on communication system diagrams, lift and emergency phone schematics and on plans where a fixed phone is supplied.","example":"Where a phone is provided as part of a system, such as a lift car phone, help point or emergency phone, the symbol distinguishes the supplied device from a simple outlet. The plan then tags the device type. The symbol does not tell you whether the instrument is analogue, IP or hands-free.","drawings":"Check whether the instrument is supplied or only the outlet. Read the device type tag. A telephone outlet is the termination; the telephone set symbol is the instrument.","terms":[{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"IEC graphical symbols for diagrams","url":"https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/"},{"label":"Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Propagation and signal-flow qualifiers","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1C0C7AE2-F703-4283-BCB1-3E0B30882715.htm"}],"detail":"Symbol for a telephone instrument, drawn as a handset shape, used on communication layouts and schematics. A telephone outlet is the termination; the telephone set symbol is the instrument.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-telephone-set-symbol","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/iec-telephone-set-symbol.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"iec-diagrams","title":"IEC graphical symbols for diagrams","publisher":"IEC","url":"https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/","type":"standard","scope":"IEC 60617 and related symbol-design publications. Full database access requires a subscription.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"IEC graphical symbol context for installation and communication plans; independently drawn here."},{"id":"iec-public-propagation","title":"Autodesk IEC-60617 preview: Propagation and signal-flow qualifiers","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1C0C7AE2-F703-4283-BCB1-3E0B30882715.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public publisher IEC-context family names and vendor block references. No vendor images or CAD library files are reproduced, and vendor tokens are not presented as verified IEC database identifiers.","checkedOn":"2026-10-14","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented propagation and signal-flow qualifiers used on communication symbols."}]}