title: Effects of personal experiences on the interpretation of the meaning of colours used in the displays and controls in electric control panels.
abstract: A survey was conducted to examine how personal experiences affect the interpretation of the meaning of display and control colours on electric control panels (ECPs). In Korea, the red light on ECPs represents a normal state of operation, while the green light represents a stopped state of operation; this appears to contradict the general stereotypes surrounding these colours. The survey results indicated that the participants who had experience in using ECPs interpreted the colour meaning differently from the other participant group. More than half of the experienced participants regarded the coloured displays and controls as they were designed, while most participants in the other group appeared to interpret the colours in accordance with the stereotypes. It is presumed that accidents related to human errors can occur when non-experienced people use the ECPs, which are easily accessible in many buildings. Practitioner Summary: A survey was conducted to investigate how personal experiences affect the interpretation of the function meanings of coloured lights on electrical control panels. It was found that the interpretation varies according to personal experiences, which can induce accidents related to human errors while operating electrical equipment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Civil, Safety, and Environmental Engineering , Hankyong National University , 327 Jungang-ro, Anseong , Gyeonggi 456-749 , South Korea.
authors.forename: Inseok
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: a Department of Civil, Safety, and Environmental Engineering , Hankyong National University , 327 Jungang-ro, Anseong , Gyeonggi 456-749 , South Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Gue
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013561:Symbolism
keywords: colour display and control; electric control panels; personal experience; push-button switch; stereotype of colour