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IEC TS 62768-2012: Preparation of Source Definitions for Data Element Types
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Why This Standard Matters: The IEC Component Data Dictionary (IEC CDD) is the master repository for standardized data element types used across all IEC standards. Without a consistent way to define and submit these elements, the CDD would become inconsistent and unreliable. IEC TS 62768 provides the essential workflow for maintaining data quality in the CDD.
1. The IEC Component Data Dictionary Ecosystem
The IEC CDD, based on IEC 61360, is a comprehensive dictionary of data element types (DETs) with associated classification schemes for electrical and electronic items. It serves as the single source of truth for properties such as dimensions, ratings, materials, and performance characteristics that are used across hundreds of IEC product standards. When a product committee writes a standard that specifies properties of components or equipment, those properties should ideally be referenced from the CDD rather than being defined ad hoc within each standard.
However, the CDD does not create itself. Product committees — the technical committees that write IEC standards — need to submit their property definitions for inclusion in the CDD. This is where IEC TS 62768 comes in. It provides a structured methodology for committees to prepare and submit source definitions for DETs, ensuring consistency, preventing duplicate definitions, and maintaining the integrity of the dictionary.
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Key Objective: IEC TS 62768 aims to ensure that definitions submitted to the CDD are technically correct, unambiguous, contain complete metadata, and follow a consistent template. This prevents the proliferation of contradictory or overlapping definitions across different standards.
2. The DET Definition Template
2.1 Required Information
The standard provides a comprehensive template for DET definitions. Each DET must include: the preferred name (in English and French), the accepted name (synonyms), the definition text, the unit of measurement, the data type (e.g., integer, real, string, Boolean), the value format, the value domain (list of allowed values or range), and the version information. Additionally, each DET is assigned a unique identifier within the IEC CDD and must reference the source publication where it is defined.
2.2 Presentation Forms
The standard recognizes two forms of presentation: a tabular form suitable for inclusion in a standard’s annex, and a spreadsheet-based form (based on IEC 62656) suitable for bulk submission. The tabular form is designed for readability within a published standard, while the spreadsheet form supports automated processing and validation by the CDD maintenance team (SC3D).
2.3 Avoiding Contradictory Definitions
A critical requirement is that product committees search the existing CDD before defining new DETs. If a suitable DET already exists, it must be referenced rather than redefined. If an existing DET is close but not exactly what is needed, the committee should coordinate with SC3D to extend or modify the existing definition rather than creating a duplicate. This prevents the fragmentation of the dictionary and ensures that the same property (e.g., “rated voltage”) has the same definition across all standards.
| DET Element | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Name | Primary term in English and French | Rated voltage / Tension assignée |
| Definition | Clear, unambiguous description | Voltage assigned by the manufacturer for which the equipment is designed |
| Unit | SI unit or permitted unit | V (volt) |
| Data Type | Nature of the value | Real |
| Value Format | Pattern for representation | NR2 (numeric, 2 decimal places) |
| Value Domain | Range or list of allowed values | 10..1000 |
| Source Publication | Reference to the defining standard | IEC 60000-1:2010 |
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Engineering Insight: The most common quality issue in data dictionaries is the “same name, different meaning” problem. For example, “rated voltage” might mean the input voltage for a power supply but the insulation voltage for a connector. The template forces committees to provide unambiguous definitions that distinguish these cases through context and precise wording.
3. Change Request Process
3.1 Submission Workflow
When a product committee needs to add, modify, or withdraw DETs in the CDD, it submits a change request to SC3D (the subcommittee responsible for the CDD). The change request uses a standardized form that includes: identification of the source publication, the list of affected DETs, the nature of the change (new, revised, or deleted), the rationale for the change, and the proposed new or modified definitions. The standard provides detailed guidance on how to complete each section of the change request.
3.2 Validation and Publication
Upon receiving a change request, the SC3D maintenance team validates the submission against several criteria: conformance to the IEC 61360-1 data model, compliance with IEC 61360-2 EXPRESS schema, absence of conflicts with existing DETs, and completeness of metadata. Once validated, the changes are published in the next update cycle of the IEC CDD. The standard specifies the expected timelines for each step of this process.
3.3 Change Management
Because the CDD is used as a reference by many standards simultaneously, change management is critical. When a DET is modified or withdrawn, all standards that reference it must be updated. The standard therefore requires that the impact assessment be part of the change request, identifying all publications that use the affected DETs and proposing transition arrangements.
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Important: Changes to DETs in the CDD can have ripple effects across multiple standards. A seemingly minor change to a commonly used property definition can affect dozens of product standards. The change management process in IEC TS 62768 is designed to identify and manage these impacts proactively.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who can submit DET definitions to the IEC CDD?
Only IEC product committees and subcommittees can submit DET definitions. Individual companies or organizations must work through their national committee and the appropriate IEC technical committee.
Q2: How long does the CDD submission process take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity and volume of the submission. Simple additions of well-defined DETs typically take 3-6 months from submission to publication. Complex changes involving modifications to existing DETs or large batches may take 6-12 months.
Q3: Does the standard cover all data types or just electrical/electronic?
While the standard is published by IEC and focuses on electrotechnical domains, the methodology is applicable to any technical domain that uses structured property definitions. The IEC CDD itself covers a broad range of electrical, electronic, and related technologies.
Q4: How does this relate to Industry 4.0 and digital twin initiatives?
The IEC CDD and its submission methodology are foundational for digital product passports and asset administration shells used in Industry 4.0. Standardized DETs enable machine-readable product descriptions that are essential for automated design, procurement, and lifecycle management.
