Piping and Instrumentation Diagram

What is a P&ID?

A Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) is a detailed schematic drawing that shows various symbols representing actual equipment in a plant. It is normally used in the process industry.

By designing the functional relationship between the major process system components, such as piping (fittings), instrumentation, valves, and equipment, they indirectly illustrate the interaction process and the components used to control the entire process.

The drawing includes symbols for all of the equipment and instrumentation needed for a process, and any interconnecting pipework is represented using pipelines.

P&ID also shows information about the design, such as the equipment tags, line labels, nominal sizes, quantities, and connectivity.

What is the role of P&IDs?

A P&ID is used by many industries, including manufacturing, power plants, and chemical refineries, to help understand, operate, maintain and modify complex processes. They display the functional relationships between piping, instrumentation, mechanical, chemical, or manufacturing processes for physical plants.

What are the key applications of P&IDs?

Construction and Operation: Evaluating construction processes and developing operational standards.
Control Schemes: Serving as the basis for Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP).
Safety and Guidelines: Establishing safety philosophies and facility guidelines.
Process Design and Costing: Designing plant layouts and forming cost estimates.
Common Language: Enabling cross-functional communication about plant operations.

What should a P&ID diagram include?

While there are no exact standards for what a P&ID drawing should include, some recommended components are:

Instrumentation

List of instrumentation with designations.

Mechanical Equipment

List of mechanical equipment with names and numbers.
Equipment list (e.g., vents, drains, special fittings, sampling lines, reducers, increasers, and swaggers), with specifications (e.g., sizes, capacities, design pressures, design temperatures, etc.).

Valves and Piping

List of valves with identifications.
List of piping with the appropriate information, e.g., sizes, identification, permanent start-up and flush lines, flow directions, interconnections references, control inputs and outputs, and interlocks.

Process Details

Process flow diagrams.
Scope and battery limits.
Identification of components and subsystems delivered by the process.
Intended physical sequence of the equipment.

System Interfaces

Interfaces for class changes, vendors, and contractors.
Computer control system.
General plant arrangement and layouts.

What should a P&ID drawing exclude?

To improve clarity and reduce clutter, your P&ID diagram should omit the following:

Equipment rating and capacity
Instrument root valves
Control relays
Manual switches and indicating lights
Primary instrument tubing and valves
Pressure temperature and flow data
Elbows, tees and similar standard fittings
Extensive explanatory notes
3D Detailed drawings

How to create a P&ID

To create your own P&ID drawing:

Create and check an equipment list. Once you’re satisfied with your list, use the symbols within the stencils. Capital Electra X has P&ID symbols with both PIP and ISO Standards available for usage.
Connect the pipes and equipment, then review the details with a trusted colleague to find and correct inefficiencies.
Share with your collaborators and stakeholders.

P&ID instrumentation symbol design

Instrumentation symbols have Type and Loop number shown on the graphical symbol. The reference of the instrument is the combination of Type and Loop number.

Capital Electra X is smart enough to recognize the Type and Loop number from the reference and synchronize them on the symbol itself.

Creating a tank with more inlets and outlets

To create a tank with more inlets and outlets in your P&ID drawing, simply reuse the tank symbols provided and add in or reduce the connection points.

To add connection points, please refer to this help article.
To delete connection points, please refer to this help article.

Assigning component, piping or signal

Users can assign component(s) to P&ID symbols as they do to other Capital Electra X symbols. The same goes for pipes and signal lines; users could assign piping or signals to the corresponding wiring.

P&ID Symbols

Use Capital Electra X’s Intelligent Symbols to create P&ID drawings quickly and efficiently. With just a single right-click, you can place a pre-made symbol vertically or horizontally onto your diagram, and the Type and Loop numbers will automatically appear.

If you modify the reference for a symbol, Capital Electra X will automatically update the Type and Loop numbers on the symbol itself without you doing a thing. This ensures that your diagrams will be completed in record time.

We have a library of ready-made P&ID symbols for your perusal, including:

P&ID Examples

Browse Capital Electra X's library of P&ID templates and sample drawings to get started quickly.

View our P&ID PIP Sample Drawing.

Why use Capital Electra X for your P&IDs?

Capital Electra X P&ID diagram software can create P&ID drawings quicker and easier!

Benefits

User-Friendly: Designed for efficiency and simplicity.
Collaborative Tools: Cloud-based for team collaboration and accuracy.
Flexible Formats: Export in DWG, DXF, PNG, JPG, PDF, or secure webpage formats.

Intelligent Symbols

Capital Electra X offers a library of ready-made symbols, including:

Equipment, fittings, and valves adhering to ISO and PIP standards.
Pipes and signal lines for creating efficient diagrams.

Advanced Features

Auto-Synchronization: Updates Type and Loop numbers automatically when references change.
Ease of Use: Symbols can be added vertically or horizontally with a single right-click.