本标准适用于用于将可编程和非可编程电子测量仪器与组装仪器系统所需的其他仪器和附件互连的接口系统。它适用于仪表系统或其部分的接口，其中 a） 互连设备之间交换的数据是数字的（与模拟不同） b） 可通过一条连续总线互连的设备数量不超过15个 c） 互连电缆上的总传输路径长度不超过20m d） 设备间的数据传输速率不超过8000 B/s。 本标准的基本功能规范可用于需要更长距离、更多设备、更高抗噪性或以上组合的数字接口应用中。 这些扩展应用可能需要不同的电气和机械规格（例如，对称电路配置、高阈值逻辑、特殊连接器或电缆配置）。

This standard applies to interface systems used to interconnect both programmable and nonprogrammable electronic measuring apparatus with other apparatus and accessories necessary to assemble instrumentation systems. It applies to the interface of instrumentation systems, or portions of them, in which the a) Data exchanged among the interconnected apparatus is digital (as distinct from analog) b) Number of devices that may be interconnected by one contiguous bus does not exceed 15 c) Total transmission path lengths over the interconnecting cables does not exceed 20 m d) Data rate among devices does not exceed 8 000 000 B/s. The basic functional specifications of this standard may be used in digital interface applications that require longer distances, more devices, increased noise immunity, or combinations of these. Different electrical and mechanical specifications may be required (for example, symmetrical circuit configurations, high threshold logic, special connectors, or cable configurations) for these extended applications.