Prefixes and Suffixes

Letters and numbers may be used as prefixes or suffixes to device function numbers to
provide a more specific definition of the function. Prefixes and suffixes should, however, be
used only when they accomplish a useful purpose.

Auxiliary devices Main device

C - Closing relay/contactor A - Alarm/auxiliary power

CL - Auxiliary relay, closed AC - Alternating current

CS - Control switch AN - Anode

D - "Down" position switch relay B - Battery, blower, bus

L- Lowering relay BK - Brake

O - Opening relay/contactor BL - Block (valve)

OP - Auxiliary relay, open BP - Bypass

PB - Push button BT - Bus tie

R - Raising relay C - Capacitor, condenser, compensator,

carrier current, case, compressor
U - "UP" position switch relay
CA - Cathode
X - Auxiliary relay
CH - Check (valve)
Y - Auxiliary relay
D - Discharge (valve)
Z - Auxiliary relay
DC - Direct current

E - Exciter
Actuating quantities
F - Feeder, field, filament, filter, fan
A -Air/amperes/alternating
G - Generator/ground
C - Current
H - Heater/housing
D - Direct/discharge
L - Line, logic
E - Electrolyte
 F - Frequency/flow/fault M - Motor, metering

GP - Gas pressure MOC - Mechanism operated contact

H - Explosive/harmonics N - Network, neutral

I0 - Zero sequence current P - Pump, phase comparison

I-, I2 - Negative sequence current R - Reactor, rectifier, room

I+, I1 - Positive sequence current S - Synchronizing, secondary, strainer,

sump ,suction (valve)
J - Differential
T -Transformer, thyratron
L - Level/liquid
TH - Transformer (high-voltage side)
P - Power/pressure
TL - Transformer (low-voltage side)
PF - Power factor
TM - Telemeter
Q - Oil
TOC - Truck-operated contacts
S - Speed/suction/smoke
TT - Transformer (tertiary-voltage
T - Temperature side)

V - Voltage/volts/vacuum U - Unit

VAR -Reactive power

VB - Vibration Main device parts

W - ater/watts BK - Brake

C - Coil, condenser, capacitor

Other suffix letters CC - Closing coil, closing contactor

A - Accelerating, automatic HC - Holding coil

B - Blocking, backup M - Operating motor

BF - Breaker failure MF - Fly-ball motor

C - Close, cold ML - Load-limit motor

D - Decelerating, detonate, down, MS - Speed adjusting or synchronizing

 disengaged motor

E - Emergency, engaged OC - Opening contactor

F - Failure, forward S - Solenoid

GP - General purpose SI - Seal-in

H - Hot, high T - Target

HIZ - High impedance fault TC Trip coil

HR - Hand reset V - Valve

HS - High speed

L - Left, local, low, lower, leading Reference positions of devices

M - Manual Adjusting means - Low or down

position
O - Open, over
Clutch - Disengaged position
OFF - Off
Contactor - De-energized position
ON - On
Contactor (latched-in type) - Main
P - Polarizing contacts open

R - Right, raise, reclosing, receiving, Density switch - Standard reference

remote, reverse
Disconnecting switch - Main contacts
S - Sending, swing open

SHS - Semi-high speed Flow detector - Lowest flow

T - Test, trip, trailing Gate - Closed position

TDC - Time-delay closing contact Level detector - Lowest level

TDDO - Time delayed relay coil drop- Load-break switch - Main contacts
out open

TDO - Time-delay opening contact Power circuit breaker - Main contacts

open
TDPU - Time delayed relay coil
pickup Power electrodes - Maximum gap
 THD - Total harmonic distortion position

U - Up, under Pressure switch - Lowest pressure

Reclosure - Main contactor open

Relay - De-energized position

Relay (latched-in type)

Rheostat - Maximum resistance

position

Speed switch - Lowest speed

Tap changer - Center tap

Temperature relay - Lowest

temperature

Turning gear - Disengaged position

Vacuum switch - Lowest pressure that

is highest vacuum

Valve - Closed position

Vibration detector - Minimum

vibration

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