REF10 Print Reading Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Using ANSI Standard Device Numbers

• Standard Device Designation Numbers are used extensively on Medium and High-Voltage prints to identify vari-
ous control functions. These numbers may also be used on 480 volt equipment prints.
• The system uses numbers 1 through 99. Some numbers are left blank for assignment to special functions which
may be used within a particular company. See The Electricians Notebook , Archive Catalog for a complete listing.
• This numbering system will be employed on: One-Line Diagrams, Three-Line Diagrams, and Control Schematics
(which are also known as Control Wiring Diagrams or CWD’s). Familiarity with this standardized numbering
greatly simplifies the interpretation of these electrical drawings.
Shown below is a typical Three-Line Diagram and the associated Trip-Circuit Schematic which illustrate the use of
these numbers. These drawings use the following Standard Device Designations Numbers: 50 - Instantaneous
Overcurrent Relay, 51 - Time Overcurrent Relay, 52 - AC Circuit Breaker. All devices associated with the Circuit
Breaker have a 52 prefix: 52 TC is the circuit breaker Trip Coil, 52a is an auxiliary contact in the breaker (Note: “a”
contacts follow the breaker main contacts, “b” contacts are opposite the breaker position). The Protective Relays (50/51
Devices) shown are typical of single-phase electro-mechanical units.

High-Voltage Main Bus

A Circuit Operation

B • Current flow from polarity to non-polarity

C in the Current Transformer (CT) primary
forces current out the CT secondary polarity
CT lead, through the protective relay ele-
ments, and back to the CT non-polarity lead.
50 51
Relay Case CT Shorting Mechanism • The non-polarity side of the CT secondary
windings are wyed (bridged) toward the
protected zone.
50 51
• The relays “look” through the breaker, so
when the breaker clears the fault, the relays

Reference Data
will reset.
50 51

CT Secondary Safety Ground

52 Three-Line Diagram Circuit Operation

• When the breaker is closed, the 52a contact

will be closed.
Load
• If a phase instantaneous or time overcurrent
condition occurs, the current in the relay
Trip Circuit Schematic Station DC Positive Trip Bus
elements (coils) in the above diagram will
exceed the relay set-point value, causing the
Relay Case Stud
appropriate relay contact to close and send
Relay Red Handle DC trip current to the Circuit Breaker 52 TC
A PH B PH C PH (Trip Block) Trip Coil. (Note: 24 VDC, 48 VDC, and 130
VDC are commonly used for control power.)
50 51 50 51 50 51
• When the breaker trips, the 52a auxiliary
contact will open and remove tripping power
from the trip coil. (This is a short-time-duty
coil). Sometimes several “a” contacts are
Relay Case Jumpers connected in series to insure that the DC
Sheet 1

52 TC
control power arc is extinguished. (DC is
52 a Relay Draw-Out-Case Non-Shorting Contact more difficult to break because it does not go
through zero each half-cycle as with AC.)
Station DC Negative
REF5 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

1) Master Element is the initiating device, such as a control switch, voltage relay, float switch, etc., which
serves either directly or through such permissive devices as protective and time -delay relays to place an equip-
ment in or out of operation.

2) Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay is a device that functions to give a desired amount of time delay be-
fore or after any point of operation in switching sequence or protective relay system, except as specifically
provided by service function 48, 62, and 79.

3) Checking or Interlocking Relay is a relay that operates in response to the position of a number of other de-
vices (or to a number of predetermined conditions) in an equipment, to allow an operating sequence to pro-
ceed, or to stop, or to provide a check of the position of these devices or of these conditions for any purpose.

4) Master Contactor is a device generally controlled by device function 1or the equivalent and the required per-
missive and protective devices, that serves to make and break the necessary control circuits to place an equip-
ment into operation under the desired conditions and to take it out of operation under other or abnormal condi-
tions.

5) Stopping Device is a control device used primarily to shut down an equipment and hold it out of operation.
(This device may be manually or electrically actuated, but excludes the function of electrical lockout [see de-
vice function 86] on abnormal conditions.)

6) Starting Circuit Breaker is a device whose principal function is to connect a machine to its source of starting
voltage.

7) Anode Circuit Breaker is a device used in the anode circuits of a power rectifier for the primary purpose of
interrupting the rectifier circuit if an arc-back should occur.

8) Control Power Disconnecting Device is a disconnecting device, such as a knife switch, circuit breaker, or
pull-out fuse block, used for the purpose of respectively connecting and disconnecting the source of control
power to and from the control bus or equipment.
Note: control power is considered to include auxiliary power which supplies such apparatus as small motors and
heaters.

Reference Data
9) Reversing Device is a device that is used for the purpose of reversing a machine field or for performing any
other reversing functions.

10) Unit Sequence Switch is a switch that is used to change the sequence in which units may be placed in and out
of service in multiple-unit equipments.

11) Reserved for Future Application (USBR assigned - Control Power Transformer).

12) Over-Speed Device is usually a direct-connected speed switch which functions on machine over-speed.

13) Synchronous-Speed Device is a device such as a centrifugal switch, a slip-frequency relay, a voltage relay,
and undercurrent relay , or any type of device that operates at approximately the synchronous speed of a ma-
chine.

14) Under-Speed Device is a device that functions when the speed of a machine fall below a pre -determined
value.

15) Speed or Frequency Matching Device is a device that functions to match and hold the speed or frequency of
a machine or of a system equal to, or approximately equal to, that of another machine, source, or system.

16) Reserved for Future Application (USBR assigned - Battery Charging Device).

17) Shunting or Discharge Switch is a switch that serves to open or to close a shunting circuit around any piece
Sheet 1

of apparatus (except a resistor, such as a machine field, a machine armature, a capacitor, or a reactor).
Note: This excludes devices that perform such shunting operations as may be necessary in the process of starting a
machine by devices 6 or 42, or their equivalent, and also excludes device function 73 that serves for the switching of
resistors.
REF6 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

18) Accelerating or Decelerating Device is a device that is used to close or to cause the closing of circuits which
are used to increase or decrease the speed of a machine.

19) Starting-to-Running Transition Contactor is a device that operates to initiate or cause the automatic trans-
fer of a machine from the starting to the running power connection.

20) Valve is one used in a vacuum, air, gas, oil, or similar line, when it is electrically operated or has electrical
accessories such as auxiliary switches.

21) Distance Relay is a relay that functions when the circuit admittance, impedance, or reactance increases or
decreases beyond predetermined limits.

22) Equalizer Circuit Breaker is a breaker that serves to control or to make and break the equalizer or the
current-balancing connections for a machine field, or for regulating equipment in a multiple -unit installation.

23) Temperature Control Device is a device that function to raise or lower the temperature of a machine or other
apparatus, or of any medium, when its temperature falls below, or rises above, a predetermined value.
Note: An example is a thermostat that switches on a space heater in a switchgear assembly when the tem-
perature falls to a desired value as distinguished from a device that is used to provide automatic tempera-
ture regulation between close limits and would be designated as device function 90T.

24) Reserved for future Application. (USBR assigned - bus tie circuit breaker, contactor, or switch.)

25) Synchronizing or Synchronism-Check Device is a device that operates when two a-c circuits are within the
desired limits of frequency, phase angle, or voltage, to permit or to cause the paralleling of these two circuits .

26) Apparatus Thermal Device is a device that functions when the temperature of the shunt field or the amortis-
seur winding of a machine, or that of a load limiting or load shifting resistor or of a liquid or other medium,
exceeds a predetermined value: or if the temperature of the protected apparatus, such as a power rectifier, or of
any medium decrease below a predetermined value.

27) Undervoltage Relay is a relay that functions on a given value of under-voltage.

Reference Data
28) Flame Detector is a device that monitors the presence of the pilot or main flame of such apparatus as a gas
turbine or a steam boiler.

29) Isolating Contactor is a device that is used expressly for disconnecting one circuit from another for the pur-
poses of emergency operation, maintenance, or test.

30) Annunciator Relay is a non-automatically reset device that gives a number of separate visual indications of
the functions of protective devices, and which may also be arranged to perform a lockout function.

31) Separate Excitation Device is a device that connects a circuit, such as the shunt field of a synchronous con-
verter, to a source of separate excitation during the starting sequence; or one that energizes the excitation and
ignition circuits of a power rectifier.

32) Directional Power Relay is a device that functions on a desired value of power flow in a given direction or
upon reverse power resulting from arcback in the anode or cathode circuits of a power rectifier.

33) Position Switch is a switch that makes or breaks contact when the main device or piece of apparatus which
has no device function number reaches a given position.

34) Master Sequence Device is a device such as a motor-operated multi-contact switch, or the equivalent, or pro-
gramming device, such as a computer, that establishes or determines the operating sequence of the major de-
vices in a equipment during starting and stopping or during other sequential switch operations.
Sheet 2

35) Brush-Operating or Slipping Short-Circuiting Device is a device for raising, lowering, or shifting the
brushes of a machine, or for short-circuiting its slip rings, or for engaging or disengaging the contacts of a
mechanical rectifier.
REF7 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

36) Polarity or Polarizing Voltage Device is a device that operates, or permits the operation of, another device
on a predetermined polarity only, or verifies the presence of a polarizing voltage in an equipment.

37) Undercurrent or Underpower Relay is a relay that function when the current or power flow decreases below
a predetermined value.

38) Bearing Protective Device is a device that functions on excessive bearing temperature, or on another abnor-
mal mechanical conditions associated with the bearing, such as undue wear, which may eventually result in
excessive bearing temperature.

39) Mechanical Condition Monitor is a device that functions upon the occurrence of an abnormal mechanical
condition (except that associated with bearing as covered under device function 38), such as excessive vibra-
tion, eccentricity, expansion shock, tilting, or seal failure.

40) Field Relay is a relay that functions on a given or abnormally low value or failure of a machine field current,
or on excessive value of the reactive component of armature current in an a-c machine indicating abnormally
low field excitation.

41) Field Circuit Breaker is a device that functions to apply or remove the field excitation of a machine.

42) Running Circuit Breaker is a device whose principal function is to connect a machine to its source of run-
ning or operation voltage. This function may also be used for a device, such as a contactor, that is used in
series with a circuit breaker or other field protecting means, primarily for frequent opening and closing of the
breaker.

43) Manual Transfer or Selector Device is a manually operated device that transfers the control circuits in order
to modify the plan of operation of the switching equipment or of some of the devices.

44) Unit Sequence Starting Relay is a relay that function to start the next available unit in a multiple-unit-
equipment upon the failure or non-availability of the normally preceding unit.

Reference Data
45) Atmospheric Condition Monitor is a device, that functions upon the occurrence of an abnormal atmospheric
condition, such as damaging fumes, explosive mixtures, smoke or fire.

46) Reverse Phase or Phase Balance Current Relay is a relay that functions when the polyphase currents are of
reverse-phase sequence, or when the polyphase currents are unbalanced or contain negative phase-sequence
components above a given amount.

47) Phase-Sequence Voltage Relay is a relay that function upon a predetermined value of polyphase voltage in
the desired phase sequence.

48) Incomplete Sequence Relay is a relay that generally returns the equipment to the normal, or off, position and
locks it out if the normal starting, operating, or stopping sequence is not properly completed within a predeter-
mined time. If the device is used for alarm purposes only, it should preferably be designated as 48A (alarm).

49) Machine or Transformer Thermal Relay is a relay that functions when the temperature of a machine arma-
ture or other load-carrying winding or element of a machine or the temperature of a power rectifier or power
transformer (including a power rectifier transformer) exceeds a predetermined value.

50) Instantaneous Overcurrent or Rate -of-Rise Relay is a relay that functions instantaneously on an excessive
value of current or on an excessive rate of current rise, thus indicating a fault in the apparatus or circuit being
protected.

51) A-C Time Overcurrent Relay is a relay with either a definite or inverse time characteristic that functions
when the current in an a-c circuit exceed a predetermined value.
Sheet 3

52) A-C Circuit Breaker is a device that is used to close and interrupt an a-c power circuit under normal condi-
tions or to interrupt this circuit under fault of emergency conditions.
REF8 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

53) Exciter or D-C Generator Relay is a relay that forces the d-c machine field excitation to build up during
starting or which functions when the machine voltage has been built up to a given value.

54) High-Speed D-C Circuit Breaker is a circuit breaker which starts to reduce the current in the main circuit in
0.01 second or less, after the occurrence of the d-c overcurrent or the excessive rate of current rise.

55) Power Factor Relay is a relay that operates when the power factor in an a-c circuit rises above or falls below
a predetermined value.

56) Field Application Relay is a relay that automatically controls the application of the field excitation to an a-c
motor at some predetermined point in the slip cycle.

57) Short-Circuiting or Grounding Device is a primary circuit switching device that functions to short-circuit or
to ground a circuit in response to automatic or manual means.

58) Rectification Failure Relay is a device that functions if one or mote anodes of a power rectifier fail to fire, or
to detect and arc-back or on failure of a diode to conduct or lock properly.

59) Overvoltage Relay is a relay that functions on a given value of over-voltage.

60) Voltage or Current Balance Relay is a relay that operates on a given difference in voltage, or current input
or output, or two circuits.

61) Reserved for Future Application.

62) Time-Delay Stopping or Opening Relay is a time-delay relay that serves in conjunction with the device that
initiates the shutdown, stopping, or opening operation in an automatic sequence or protective relay system.

63) Liquid or Gas Pressure or Vacuum Relay is a relay that operates on given values of liquid or gas pressure
or on given rates of change of these values.

64) Ground Protective Relay is a relay that functions on failure of the insulation of a machine, transformer, or of

Reference Data
other apparatus to ground, or on flashover of a d-c machine to ground.
Note: This function is assigned only to a relay that detects the flow of current from the frame of a ma-
chine or enclosing case or structure of piece of apparatus to ground, or detects a ground on a normally
ungrounded winding or circuit. It is not applied to a device connected in the secondary circuit of current
transformer, in the secondary neutral of current transformers, connected in the power circuit of a normally
grounded system.

65) Governor is the assembly of fluid, electrical, or mechanical control equipment used for regulating the flow of
water, steam, or other medium to the prime mover for such purposes a starting, holding speed or load, or stop-
ping.

66) Notching or Jogging Device is a device that functions to allow only a specified number of operations of a
given device or equipment, or a specified number of successive operations within a given time of each other.
It is also a device that functions to energize a circuit periodically or for fractions of specified time intervals, or
that is used to permit intermittent acceleration or jogging of a machine at low speeds for mechanical position-
ing.

67) A-C Directional Overcurrent Relay is a relay that functions on a desired value of a-c over-current flowing in
a predetermined direction.

68) Blocking Relay is a relay that initiates a pilot signal for blocking of tripping on external faults in a transmis-
sion line or in other apparatus under predetermined condition, or cooperates with other devices to block trip-
ping or to block re-closing on an out-of-step condition or on power savings.
Sheet 4

69) Permissive Control Device is generally a two-position, manually-operated switch that, in one position, per-
mits the closing of a circuit breaker, or the placing of an equipment into operation, an in the other position
prevents the circuit breaker or the equipment from being operated.
REF9 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

70) Rheostat is a variable resistance device used in an electric circuit, which is electrically operated or has other
electrical accessories, such a auxiliary , position, or limit switches.

71) Liquid or Gas-Level Relay is a relay that operates on given values of liquid or gas level or on given rates of
change of these values.

72) D-C Circuit Breaker is a circuit breaker that is used to close and interrupt a d-c power circuit under normal
conditions or to interrupt this circuit under fault or emergency conditions.

73) Load-Resistor Contactor is a contactor that is used to shunt or insert a step of load limiting, shifting, or indi-
cating resistance in a power circuit, or to switch a space heater in circuit, or to switch a light or regenerative
load resistor, a power rectifier, or other machine in and out of circuit.

74) Alarm Relay is a relay other than an annunciator, as covered under device function 30, that is used to oper-
ate, or to operate in connection with, a visual or audible alarm.

75) Position Changing Mechanism is a mechanism that is used for moving a main device from one position to
another in an equipment: as for example, shifting a removable circuit breaker unit to and from the connected,
disconnected, and test positions.

76) D-C Overcurrent Relay is a relay that function when the current in a d-c circuit exceeds a given value.

77) Pulse Transmitter is used to generate and transmit pulses over a telemetering or pilot-wire circuit to the re-
mote indicating or receiving device.

78) Phase-Angle Measuring or Out-Of-Step Protective Relay is a relay that functions at a pre-determined phase
angle between two voltages or between two currents or between a voltage and current.

79) A-C Reclosing Relay is a relay that controls the automatic reclosing and locking out of an a-c circuit inter-
rupter.

80) Liquid or Gas Flow Relay is a relay that operates on given values of liquid or gas flow or on given rates of

Reference Data
change of these values.

81) Frequency Relay is a relay that functions on a predetermined value of frequency (either under or over or on
normal system frequency) or rate of change of frequency.

82) D-C Reclosing Relay is a relay thast controls the automatic closing and re-closing of a d-c circuit interrupter,
generally in response to load circuit conditions.

83) Automatic Selective Control or Transfer Relay is a relay that operates to select automatically between cer-
tain sources or conditions in a equipment, or performs a transfer operation automatically.

84) Operating Mechanism is the complete electrical mechanism or servomechanism, including the operating
motor, solenoids, position switches, etc., for a tap changer, induction regulator, or any similar piece of appara-
tus which otherwise has no device function number.

85) Carrier or Pilot-Wire Receiver Relay is a relay that is operated or restrained by a signal used in connection
with carrier-current or d-c pilot-wire fault directional relaying.

86) Locking-Out Relay is an electrically operated hand, or electrically reset relay or device that functions to shut
down or hold an equipment out of service, or both, upon the occurrence of abnormal conditions.

87) Differential Protective Relay is a protective relay that functions on a percentage or phase angle or other
quantitative difference of two currents or of some other electrical quantities.
Sheet 5

88) Auxiliary Motor or Motor Generator is one used for operating auxiliary equipment, such as pumps,
blowers, exciters, rotating magnetic amplifiers, etc.
REF10 ANSI Standard Copyright 2002 Kilowatt Classroom, LLC.

Device Designation Numbers

89) Line Switch is a switch used as a disconnecting, load-interrupter, or isolating switch in an a-c or d-c power
circuit, when this device is electrically operated or has electrical accessories, such as an auxiliary switch, mag-
netic lock, etc.

90) Regulating Device is a device that functions to regulate a quantity, or quantities, such as voltage, current
power, speed, frequency, temperature, and load at a certain value or between certain (generally close) limits
for machines, tie lines, or other apparatus.

91) Voltage Directional Relay is a device which operates when the voltage across an open circuit breaker or con-
tactor exceeds a given value in a given direction.

92) Voltage and Power Directional Relay is a relay that permits or causes the connection of two circuits when
the voltage difference between them exceed a given value in a predetermined direction and causes these two
circuits to be disconnected from each other when the power flowing between them exceeds a given value in
the opposite direction.

93) Field-Changing Contactor is a contactor that functions to increase or decrease, in one step, the value of field
excitation on a machine.

94) Tripping or Trip-Free Relay is a relay that function to trip a circuit breaker, contactor or equipment, or to
permit immediate tripping by other devices; or to prevent immediate re -closure of a circuit interrupter if it
should open automatically even though its closing circuit is maintained closed.

95*) (USBR assigned - Closing Relay or Contactor)

96*)

97*)

98*) (USBR assigned - Loss of Excitation Relay)

Reference Data
99*) (USBR assigned - Arc Detector)

* Used only for specific applications in individual installations where none of the assigned numbered functions
from 1 to 94 are suitable.

Auxiliary Devices - These letters denote separate auxiliary devices, such as:

C Closing Relay or Contactor

CL Auxiliary Relay, Closed (energized when main device is in closed position).
CS Control Switch
D “Down” Position Switch or Relay
L Lowering Relay
1. Opening Relay
OP Auxiliary Relay, Open (energized when main device is in open position).
PB Push Button
R Raising Relay
U “Up” Position Switch or Relay
X Auxiliary Relay
Y Auxiliary Relay
Z Auxiliary Relay

Note: In the control of a circuit breaker with an X-Y Relay Control Scheme, the X relay is the device whose main
contacts are used to energized the closing coil or the device which in some other manner, such as by the re-
lease of stored energy, causes the breaker to close. The contacts of the Y relay provide the anti-pump feature
Sheet 6

for the circuit breaker.