IEC PAS 63131-2017 PDF

Full title and description

IEC/PAS 63131:2017 — "System control diagram". This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) defines a set of operational control functions (objects) and the associated logical diagram (System Control Diagram, SCD) for use in continuous process industries (for example oil & gas). It provides a standard representation suited for engineering, implementation, commissioning and machine-readable data transfer, and includes a method for documenting sequences and their interaction with control objects.

Abstract

IEC/PAS 63131:2017 establishes a formal approach to creating System Control Diagrams (SCDs): a library of function blocks, terminal codes and connection rules, a life‑cycle framing for SCD usage, and guidance for alarm presentation, sequence documentation and HMI representation. The PAS aims to improve re‑use of control applications across suppliers and to support automated exchange of control design information.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (IEC withdrawal recorded 27 September 2024).
• Publication date: 7 November 2017 (IEC edition 1.0). National PD adoption by BSI published 28 February 2018.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); identical national/adopted PD edition published by BSI and others.
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control); 75.200 (Petroleum products and natural gas handling equipment).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0, 2017 (Publicly Available Specification).
• Number of pages: IEC webstore lists 241 pages; some national PD publications list 244 pages (format/pagination differences between publishers).

Scope

This PAS covers functional and drawing‑related requirements for System Control Diagrams used to specify control and shutdown applications in continuous process industries. It defines the SCD approach (function blocks, terminal coding, execution sequencing, and presentation conventions), the SCD life‑cycle, and includes annexed function definitions and terminal code tables to support interoperability and data exchange between engineering tools and control systems. The document was developed under IEC TC 65.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of a standard library of operational control function blocks and their terminals (SCD function standard).
• Rules and notation for creating System Control Diagrams (logical diagrams that overlay process drawings).
• Method for documenting sequential control (sequence charts and interaction with function blocks).
• Guidance on alarm management, HMI presentation and positive/negative logic conventions.
• Focus on enabling automated exchange of SCD data (machine‑readable exports and use with formats such as AutomationML in engineering toolchains).
• Life‑cycle considerations for SCDs: from conceptual design through implementation and maintenance.

Typical use and users

Typical users are process and instrumentation engineers, control system designers, safety and shutdown system engineers, HMI/SCADA designers, system integrators, and automation vendors working in oil & gas, petrochemical and other continuous process industries. The PAS is used during control system specification, functional design, vendor handover and for tool‑based engineering workflows to improve consistency and enable reuse.

Related standards

Commonly referenced or complementary documents include the NORSOK I‑005 System Control Diagram practice (historic industry SCD guidance), IEC functional safety standards (for safety instrumented systems, e.g. IEC 61508 / IEC 61511), IEC 61131‑3 (programmable controller programming), and standards/technologies for engineering data exchange such as AutomationML. The PAS was developed in the context of TC 65 activities and aligns with existing SCD practices used in the oil & gas sector.

Keywords

System Control Diagram; SCD; IEC PAS 63131; system control; function blocks; sequences; process control; oil & gas; NORSOK I‑005; AutomationML; HMI; TC 65; data exchange; control engineering.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/PAS 63131:2017 is a Publicly Available Specification that defines System Control Diagrams (SCDs) — a formalized set of function blocks, terminal coding and diagram rules for documenting control and shutdown logic in continuous process industries.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the SCD approach (notations and function definitions), a life‑cycle framework for SCDs, methods for documenting sequences and interactions with control objects, alarm and HMI presentation guidance, and annexes with terminal codes and function definitions to support interoperability and automated data exchange.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Process control engineers, control system vendors and integrators, safety engineers, HMI/SCADA designers and project engineering teams in oil & gas and other continuous process industries — especially where reuse of control logic and tool‑based handover between suppliers is required.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The IEC webstore records IEC/PAS 63131:2017 as withdrawn with a withdrawal date of 27 September 2024. Implementers should check for any successor or revised normative publication from IEC TC 65 or relevant national bodies before relying on the PAS for new projects.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: IEC/PAS 63131 was published as a PAS (pre‑standard) under TC 65; it aligns with and formalizes SCD practice previously used in NORSOK I‑005. Users should watch for any full IEC standard or series publications that may have succeeded the PAS.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: System Control Diagram (SCD), function block, sequence, terminal code, process control, SCD data exchange, AutomationML, NORSOK I‑005, IEC TC 65.