HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM

Karim Moatasem Mahmoud Ahmed

REALPARS
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Note: all data here is from Realpars I have just order it .

Visit How to Read a P&ID? (Piping & Instrumentation Diagram) - RealPars to find the source

A P&ID diagram is a graphical representation of the piping and instrumentation

systems in a process plant. It shows the equipment, piping, valves, instruments, and
control loops that are involved in the operation of the plant. To read a P&ID diagram,
you need to know the symbols and codes that are used to identify the components and
their connections. Here are some steps to help you read a P&ID diagram:

• First, you need to familiarize yourself with the standard symbols and codes that
are used in P&ID diagrams. You can find many resources online that explain
the meaning and function of each symbol and code. For example, you can
check out this website1 that provides a comprehensive guide on how to read
P&ID diagrams.
• Next, you need to locate the equipment and instruments on the diagram. Each
equipment and instrument has a unique tag number that consists of a letter and
a number combination. The letter indicates the type of equipment or
instrument, such as P for pump, T for tank, F for flow, etc. The number
indicates the sequence or location of the equipment or instrument in the plant.
For example, FV01 means flow valve number 1.
• Then, you need to follow the piping and connection lines on the diagram. The
piping lines show the direction and size of the pipes that carry fluids or gases in
the plant. The connection lines show how the equipment and instruments are
wired or linked together. The type of line indicates the type of connection, such
as solid for pipe, dotted for electrical, etc. The lines may also have labels or
symbols that indicate additional information, such as insulation, heat tracing,
slope, etc.
• Finally, you need to understand the control loops on the diagram. The control
loops show how the process variables are measured and controlled by the
instruments and controllers. The control loops may have symbols that indicate
the type of control action, such as direct or reverse, feedback or feedforward,
etc. The control loops may also have letters that indicate the location of the
instruments or controllers, such as F for field, C for control room, S for shared
display, etc.

By following these steps, you can read a P&ID diagram and understand how the
process plant operates.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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P&IDs, or Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams to give them their

full name, are schematic representations of pipelines, equipment,
instrumentation, and control systems found in process
environments such as Oil Refineries, Chemical Plants, Paper Mills,
and Cement Plants, etc.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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The symbols contained in P&IDs represent the equipment in the

process such as actuators, sensors, and controllers.
Process equipment such as valves, instruments, and pipelines are
identified by codes and symbols.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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As well as devices and pipelines, a P&ID will commonly contain

information on vents, drains, and sampling lines as well as flow
directions, control I/O and Interconnection References.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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The Instrumentation codes listed in P&IDs follow a standard

format, after some practice in reading P&IDs you will know these
codes by heart, but in the meantime, there are many resources on
the web where you can download these tables for reference.
The first letter of the code identifies the parameters that are being
controlled or monitored for example Flow, Temperature, Level or
Pressure.
The next letter is used to define the type of control device being
used, for example, Transmitter, Valve or Controller.
The number refers to the logical numerator.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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For example, we may have a system with 4 temperature

transmitters, it makes sense to identify these
as TT01, TT02, TT03, and TT04.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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Let’s consider for a moment an instrument on a P&ID

named FV01.
Looking up the code for this we could tell this is a Flow Valve
numbered 01.

P&ID drawing symbols, circles, and lines are used to represent

instruments and to show how they are connected to the rest of the
system.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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Now that we know our device FV01 is represented by a circle, we

can also tell from the P&ID where the instrument or device is
located.
The presence or absence of a line in the circle determines the
location of the physical device. Let’s take a look at how these are
commonly represented.
– NO LINE: The instrument is located in the field near the process
& operator.
– SOLID LINE: The instrument is located in a control room
(accessible to the operator).
– DOTTED LINE: The instrument is not directly accessible.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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The piping or connection lines on the P&ID also tell us about the
instrument, for example, a solid line would indicate the
interconnection is via pipework whereas a dotted line would
indicate an electrical connection.
It is worth familiarising yourself with the different types of
connection symbols as this can give you an insight into the
function of an instrument even before you know its code.

HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED

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HOW TO READ P&ID DIAGRAM KARIM MOATASEM MAHMOUD AHMED