# Recording instrument general symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/recording-instrument-general-symbol
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: *
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC

General square form for an instrument that keeps a time record of a quantity rather than just displaying it.

## In plain English

### What does Recording instrument general mean?

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.

### A simple 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.

### What the drawings help you do

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.

### This particular reference

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.

### Terms

- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/)


## What it represents

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.

## How to read it

- Identify what quantity is recorded and its source.
- Check how records are retrieved or exported.

## Information to show or reference

- Fill in the recorded quantity
- State sampling or chart speed
- Reference data retrieval method

## Important distinction

A recording instrument stores values against time; an indicating instrument shows only the present value.

## Facts

- Shape convention: Square, placeholder replaced by quantity
- Family: Recording instruments
- Preview: Independent educational concept; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/) — IEC. IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.