IEC 61360-1:20 09为从基本部件到子组件和完整系统的电工系统所有元件的特性（数据元件类型）的清晰明确定义提供了坚实的基础。本标准的原理和方法可用于原始构想之外的领域，如部件和电工系统和子系统的装配。此外，本标准规定建立分类层次，并将适用的和相关的属性分配给如此建立的每个类别，以便充分描述属于该类别的对象的特征。与上一版相比，此版本包括以下重大技术变更: -内容状态和来源的扩展管理数据；-支持数据元素类型和类的多种语言变体； -支持用于数据元素类型的多个替代单元； -改进了基于ISO 704和ISO/IEC 11179-4的定义编写惯例； -增强的定义和描述。 根据IEC指南108，它具有水平标准的地位。

IEC 61360-1:2009 provides a firm basis for the clear and unambiguous definition of characteristic properties (data element types) of all elements of electrotechnical systems from basic components to sub-assemblies and full systems. The principles and methods of this standard may be used in areas outside the original conception such as assemblies of components and electrotechnical systems and subsystems. In addition, this standard provides for establishing a classification hierarchy and the allocation of applicable and relevant properties to each of the classes so established in order to describe fully the characteristics of objects belonging to that class. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- extended administrative data for status and source of content;
- support of multiple language variants for data element types and classes;
- support for multiple alternative units for data element types;
- improved conventions for definition writing based on ISO 704 and ISO/IEC 11179-4;
- enhanced definitions and descriptions.
It has the status of a horizontal standard in accordance with IEC Guide 108.