

This factor was important to consider as the light switches in the US are in the up-position for on and down-position for off. Moreover, it would not be confusing for the people even if the button was turned upside-down or rotated any-which-way. The binary number system was understood by almost everyone worldwide and meant the same in every language. The “I” represents the binary 1, meaning on, whereas the “O” represents the binary 0, meaning off. The IEC decided that the symbols to be used for power on and power off would be “I” and “O,” respectively. How the I and O power button symbols were created In other words, a new “standard” was to be implemented, which was to be followed by everyone. To avoid any mishaps, an international committee known as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was handed the responsibility to create a symbol that could be understood by everyone around the world. It could also get a little confusing, and a person could have difficulty reading the signs, even if they knew English. It would have been much simpler to write On/Off on the buttons, but not everyone around the world understands English. There was a need to develop a universal sign that could be understood by everyone around the world. It could be dangerous when a person does not know what the function of the button is, and they could accidentally power it on or off that could result in someone getting injured. Well, for one reason, it’s obvious that it was necessary to mark the power buttons so that a person will know what function that particular button will do. Why is a symbol necessary for power buttons? IEC 60417-5009 - Not fully disconnected state.IEC 60417-5008 - Complete power off state.

IEC 60417-5007 - Fully powered on state.Understanding the different power button symbols.How the I and O power button symbols were created.Why is a symbol necessary for power buttons?.
