Comments on: The evolution of the On/Off power switch symbol http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/ Nathan Zeldes blogs on everyday product design Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:49:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! « COMM 200 – Fall 2011 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-9309 So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! « COMM 200 – Fall 2011 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:52:16 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-9309 [...] that one. Well it’s transformed over time. The circle is actually 0 and the bar is 1. 0? 1? It’s originally from circuit [...] [...] that one. Well it’s transformed over time. The circle is actually 0 and the bar is 1. 0? 1? It’s originally from circuit [...]

]]> By: What is the meaning behind the power symbol? - Quora http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-9085 What is the meaning behind the power symbol? - Quora Mon, 25 Jul 2011 22:23:03 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-9085 [...] Topics or PeopleCancelFlag Answer1 Comment • 8:55amthis blog post expands on your answer:http://designblog.nzeldes.com/20...Jennifer Miller • 3:23pmView 1 Comment Edit Link Text Show answer summary preview when [...] [...] Topics or PeopleCancelFlag Answer1 Comment • 8:55amthis blog post expands on your answer:http://designblog.nzeldes.com/20…Jennifer Miller • 3:23pmView 1 Comment Edit Link Text Show answer summary preview when [...]

]]> By: Jon doe http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-9067 Jon doe Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:12:40 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-9067 actually, according to wikipedia: IEC 5007, the power on (line) symbol, appearing on a button or one end of a toggle switch indicates that the control places the equipment into a fully powered state. It comes from the binary system (1 or | means on) IEC 5008, the power off (circle) symbol on a button or toggle, indicates that using the control will disconnect power to the device. It comes from the power system (0 means off) IEC 5010, the power on-off symbol (line within a circle), is used on buttons that switch a device between on and fully off states. IEC 5009, the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby. Alternatively, under IEEE 1621, this symbol simply means "power".[2] A crescent moon, indicating sleep, is added by IEEE 1621 as a replacement for the standby symbol. actually, according to wikipedia:
IEC 5007, the power on (line) symbol, appearing on a button or one end of a toggle switch indicates that the control places the equipment into a fully powered state. It comes from the binary system (1 or | means on)

IEC 5008, the power off (circle) symbol on a button or toggle, indicates that using the control will disconnect power to the device. It comes from the power system (0 means off)

IEC 5010, the power on-off symbol (line within a circle), is used on buttons that switch a device between on and fully off states.

IEC 5009, the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby.
Alternatively, under IEEE 1621, this symbol simply means “power”.[2]

A crescent moon, indicating sleep, is added by IEEE 1621 as a replacement for the standby symbol.

]]> By: jim http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-9063 jim Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:07:04 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-9063 Observe your keyboard and your switches, on the switches for your personal fan or your string trimmer gas powered. The marks are the capital letter O note it to be round, not oval, and the capital letter I. In 1820 (note the oval), a man by the name Ampere used the capital letter I for intensity of current a french phrase, to describe current flow in a closed circuit. The knife switch marking uses Ampere's I and O. When would a gas string trimmer switch be used as a digital representation by multiple applications such as IIIOIIIIOIOOO? Never. Observe your keyboard and your switches, on the switches for your personal fan or your string trimmer gas powered. The marks are the capital letter O note it to be round, not oval, and the capital letter I. In 1820 (note the oval), a man by the name Ampere used the capital letter I for intensity of current a french phrase, to describe current flow in a closed circuit. The knife switch marking uses Ampere’s I and O. When would a gas string trimmer switch be used as a digital representation by multiple applications such as IIIOIIIIOIOOO? Never.

]]> By: jeff http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-8926 jeff Tue, 10 May 2011 14:16:14 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-8926 I am not positive the broken circle with the "one" inside is completely "off", i.e. there may still be some voltage present. I believe the full circle indicates a fully "off" state. Similar to TVs and motion sensors, even when "off" (no picture or light is off) it is in a standby state and there is still voltage present, therefore a difference in the symbols. I am not positive the broken circle with the “one” inside is completely “off”, i.e. there may still be some voltage present. I believe the full circle indicates a fully “off” state. Similar to TVs and motion sensors, even when “off” (no picture or light is off) it is in a standby state and there is still voltage present, therefore a difference in the symbols.

]]> By: Matt http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-8538 Matt Sat, 29 Jan 2011 22:06:00 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-8538 I am under the impression that the 1 and 0 on the new rocker type switches came from the electronics guys, where 1 in computer bytes is on and 0 is off. It's bianary language. Where that leaves the rest of us is guessing. welcome to the computer age! I am under the impression that the 1 and 0 on the new rocker type switches came from the electronics guys, where 1 in computer bytes is on and 0 is off. It’s bianary language. Where that leaves the rest of us is guessing. welcome to the computer age!

]]> By: Alex the OGRE http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-6350 Alex the OGRE Mon, 01 Nov 2010 02:47:21 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-6350 Glad Im not alone, even though Im not clueless, I am confused just north of Seattle! My button broke from the front panel, so I used a vial cap to end denting my finger on the tiny point there. Recently, something is locking up my system and the button worketh knot! So I have to unplug it instead, to do a restart. In the end, just goes to show that engineer types dont live in the real world and dont want to be bothered by the facts. Best proof is in the owners manual for my cell phone from Motorola. Half the icons on my screen are not detailed and the 800# doesnt know either. Bottom line, keep the power connection in reach at all times and send the enginners along with the lawyers to the same precipice as THELMA & LOUISE!!! HARRUMPH! Glad Im not alone, even though Im not clueless, I am confused just north of Seattle!

My button broke from the front panel, so I used a vial cap to end denting my finger on the tiny point there.

Recently, something is locking up my system and the button worketh knot! So I have to unplug it instead, to do a restart.

In the end, just goes to show that engineer types dont live in the real world and dont want to be bothered by the facts.

Best proof is in the owners manual for my cell phone from Motorola. Half the icons on my screen are not detailed and the 800# doesnt know either.

Bottom line, keep the power connection in reach at all times and send the enginners along with the lawyers to the same precipice as THELMA & LOUISE!!!

HARRUMPH!

]]> By: Joe http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-6295 Joe Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:28:17 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-6295 the bastard version to think of it is actually standby mode where the computer is ON but really its off in a power saving mode? the bastard version to think of it is actually standby mode where the computer is ON but really its off in a power saving mode?

]]> By: paul http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-6041 paul Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:07:22 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-6041 broken circle with a line = on/standby - power supply is not disconnected from the device. circle with a line completely inside = on/off - power supply is fully disconnected. broken circle with a line = on/standby – power supply is not disconnected from the device.
circle with a line completely inside = on/off – power supply is fully disconnected.

]]> By: Jessica http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/comment-page-1/#comment-6036 Jessica Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:52:09 +0000 http://designblog.nzeldes.com/2008/05/the-evolution-of-the-onoff-power-switch-symbol/#comment-6036 I just think it's funny how many people get confused about it... when it seems like even if you forget which is which... it's obvious. Look at which is set, and look at the device. Is the device on? Then that's the on symbol, and the other means off. :-P I just think it’s funny how many people get confused about it… when it seems like even if you forget which is which… it’s obvious. Look at which is set, and look at the device. Is the device on? Then that’s the on symbol, and the other means off.
:-P

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