PCB Libraries Forum : Common PCB Reference Designators https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:12:30 +0000 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 03:43:22 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=728 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Common PCB Reference Designators : Tom,This class designation letter...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post9757.html#9757 Author: LarryJoy
Subject: 728
Posted: 28 Aug 2018 at 3:43am

Tom,
This class designation letter (class letter) list looks like it is from IPC-2612-1, Appendix A, which I have made my comments known to the IPC several years ago. I take and use the class letters per IEEE 315, Clause 22, the official list being Clause 22.4. Here is what the "standard" has to offer versus what you have listed:
BR should be D. It doesn't matter what the diode configuration is.
CN should be C. It doesn't matter if the capacitor is fixed value, variable, settable, or multi-element.
CR should be D or VR for a breakdown (Zener) diode.
D is not used for LEDs, LEDs use class letter(s) DS as they are considered displays.
E has 32 items it stands for including antenna, terminal, ferrite bead ring, and miscellaneous electrical part.
GN for general network? This is already covered by the class letter Z. Why use two letters when one will do?
J is for the most fixed of a mating pair, it does not matter what the gender/sex is or if there is no gender or has both genders.
JP is not a standard class letter and should not be used. Use J and P or W if a piece of wire.
L is for an inductor or coil. For bead, ferrite bead, ferrite bead ring, or binocular core use class letter E.
MH for mounting hole. I use PTH for plated through hole and NPH for non-plated (through) hole as the opening may be used for other purposes than for mounting.
P is for the most movable of a mating pair, it does not matter what the gender/sex is or if there is no gender or has both genders. Two mating connectors that are each on the end of a cable would use class letter P. This means that a P can connect to a P but you would never see a J connecting to a J.
RN should be R. Like for the capacitor it doesn't matter if the resistor is fixed value, variable, settable, or multi-element.
RV is for a varistor but not a variable resistor. For a potentiometer or rheostat use class letter R.
TP for test point. People use this non-class letter incorrectly. See the note in IEEE 315, Clause 22.4. You should use the class letter E for a test point item. TP is to be used for maintenance diagrams, for instance when you designate the collector of a BJT as a test point.
TN for tuner? I don't know what is meant by a tuner. The class letter Z is probably what should be used (general network).
TZ for Transzorb. Transzorb is a trade name. These should probably use class letter D as they act like Zener diodes.
VR is for a voltage regulator but not for a potentiometer or rheostat, these would use class letter R.
X is for a socket. Use XF for a fuse holder, XDS for a lamp or LED holder, XBT for a battery holder.

I always use the example of the traffic sign that is octagonal in shape. It doesn't matter if it says ALTO, HALT, or STOP on the sign, we all know what is meant. If you were driving during a dark night and you came upon a rectangular sign that had STOP on it you might ponder a while on what was meant.
]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2018 03:43:22 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post9757.html#9757 <![CDATA[Common PCB Reference Designators : A - Separable AssemblyAR - AmplifierAT...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post9596.html#9596 Author: Tom H
Subject: 728
Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 8:42am

 

A - Separable Assembly
AR - Amplifier
AT - Attenuator; Isolator
B - Blower, Motor
BT - Battery, Battery Cell - , Solar Cell
C - Cap: Fixed, Variable, Multi-element
CB - Circuit Breaker, Network protector
CP - Connector Adapter, Coupling
D or VR - Breakdown Diode, Zener Diode
D - Diode, Transzorb
DC - Directional Coupler
DL - Delay Line
DS - Display, Lamp, LED - , Visual Indicator
E - ANT, Terminal, Ferrite Bead Ring, Misc. Electrical Part
F - Fuse
FD* - Fiducial
FL - Filter
G - Generator, Oscillator
H - Hardware
HY - Circulator
J - Connector, Jack, Most fixed of pair
K - Contactor, Relay
L - Coil, Inductor
LS - Loudspeaker, Buzzer
M - Meter
MG - Motor-generator
MH* - Mounting Hole
MK - Microphone
MP - Mechanical Part
P - Conn., Plug, Most movable of pair
PS - Power Supply
Q - Transistor, SCR
R - Res: Fixed, Variable, Multi-element
RT - Thermistor, Thermal Resistor
RV - Symmetrical Varistor
S - Switch
T - Transformer
TB - Terminal Board, Terminal Strip
TC - Thermocouple
TP** - Test Point, In-circuit Test Points
U - Inseparable Assembly, IC Pkg.
VR - Voltage Regulator
W - Wire, Cable, Cable Assembly
X - Holder: Fuse, Lamp, Battery Socket
Y - Crystal, Crystal Oscillator
Z - Balun, General Network, Phase Shifter

*These class letters would not appear in a parts list as they are part of a PCB and not an active electronic component.

**Not a class letter, but commonly used to designate test points for maintenance purposes.

Note: The above list is not exhaustive. See the standard list of class designation letters in ANSI Y32.2/IEEE Std. 315, Section 22 and the Index.
]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2018 08:42:22 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post9596.html#9596 <![CDATA[Common PCB Reference Designators : Here is the latest PCB Reference...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post2531.html#2531 Author: Nick B
Subject: 728
Posted: 03 Dec 2012 at 3:52pm

Here is the latest PCB Reference Designator list (PDF)
 
DOWNLOAD
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]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:52:47 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/common-pcb-reference-designators_topic728_post2531.html#2531