Specifying Time Zone Data

Use the Time Zone Data form to add new or update existing time zone entries. Initialized data contains standard time zone names, but any time zone name can be specified as needed.  If legislation changes the time zone in a particular area, that information can be updated in this form.

Daylight savings time has a start day and an end day.  This is specified as the first, second, third, fourth, or last weekday of the month.  For example, Central Standard Time has a daylight savings time of one hour that starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November.

  1. When you add or update a time zone entry, specify the Offset Minutes for the time zone.

    This is the offset to be used for translation, in minutes. The offset is the difference, in minutes, between Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and local time. All translations between UTC and local time are based on this formula:

    UTC = local time + offset minutes

  2. For daylight savings time, specify this information:

    Offset Minutes

    Specify the offset to be used for translation, in minutes. This is usually -60, which is subtracted from the local time.

    Start Month

    Specify the month when the daylight savings time starts.

    Start Week

    Specify the week when the daylight savings time starts. You can select from the list whether the start week is the first, second, third, or last week of the Start Month.

    Start Day

    Specify the day when the daylight savings time starts.

    End Month

    Specify the month when the daylight savings time ends.

    End Week

    Specify the week when the daylight savings time ends. You can select from the list whether the end week is the first, second, third, or last week of the End Month.

    End Day

    Specify the day when the daylight savings time ends.