{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"recording-instrument-general-symbol","name":"Recording instrument general symbol","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"*","aliases":["recorder general symbol","chart recorder form","recording meter square"],"category":"measurement-protection","drawingTypes":["SLD","Schematic"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC"],"summary":"General square form for an instrument that keeps a time record of a quantity rather than just displaying it.","description":["A recording instrument keeps a record of a measured quantity over time, traditionally on a paper chart and now usually in memory. IEC-style diagrams draw it as a square, with the placeholder replaced by the recorded quantity, so it can be told apart from a simple indicating meter at a glance.","The square does not say how often samples are stored, how long records are retained or how they are retrieved. Those details are what make a recording useful in an investigation, and they belong in the instrument specification rather than on the symbol."],"readingNotes":["Identify what quantity is recorded and its source.","Check how records are retrieved or exported."],"drawingChecklist":["Fill in the recorded quantity","State sampling or chart speed","Reference data retrieval method"],"distinction":"A recording instrument stores values against time; an indicating instrument shows only the present value.","facts":[{"label":"Shape convention","value":"Square, placeholder replaced by quantity"},{"label":"Family","value":"Recording instruments"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Independent educational concept; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"iec-diagrams","relevance":"IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced."}],"related":["recording-wattmeter","indicating-instrument-general-symbol","integrating-instrument-general-symbol"],"artwork":"s28-recording-instrument-general-symbol","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Recording instrument general mean?","introduction":"A recording instrument keeps a record of a measured quantity over time, traditionally on a paper chart and now usually in memory. IEC-style diagrams draw it as a square, with the placeholder replaced by the recorded quantity, so it can be told apart from a simple indicating meter at a glance.","example":"The square does not say how often samples are stored, how long records are retained or how they are retrieved. Those details are what make a recording useful in an investigation, and they belong in the instrument specification rather than on the symbol.","drawings":"Identify what quantity is recorded and its source. Check how records are retrieved or exported. A recording instrument stores values against time; an indicating instrument shows only the present value.","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/"}],"detail":"General square form for an instrument that keeps a time record of a quantity rather than just displaying it. A recording instrument stores values against time; an indicating instrument shows only the present value.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/recording-instrument-general-symbol","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/recording-instrument-general-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 context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced."}]}