scope:

Curve displays are used for process control in normal (production) operation or to diagnose faults.

The purpose of this standard is to specify regulations and give recommendations for the representation of curves on screen displays and for the control of curve displays. The application of these recommendations leads to displays and controls which

• are compatible with those for preformatted displays, mimics and messages,
• comply with valid standards and are based on ergonomic knowledge.

Consequent application of the recommendations leads to uniform man-machine interfaces at different workstations, with the following advantages:

• The configuring of curve graphs becomes easier. Repeated deliberations and inputs are unnecessary in new projects.
• The correct interpretation of curve representations is more reliable and easier for operators who work with different systems (e.g. in different control rooms).

Note: In the following, this guideline refers to the operator with the pronouns "he", "his", etc., but the term includes both male and female employees.

This series of standards VDI/VDE 3699 is valid for process control with screens in chemical and petrochemical processing plants, in plants for steam generation, as well as in process engineering plants in metallurgy, provided that no special regulations are to be observed in plants or parts of plants, e.g. for nuclear-powered plants.

This standard is to be used for the representation of values as curves as a function of time.