ELECTRICAL GRAPHIC SYMBOLS 11

Electrical Graphic Symbols

Electrical engineers and designers generally follow accepted standards for the basic
electrical and electronic symbols. These electrical symbols can be classified as those
used on connection and interconnection diagrams and those used on elementary or
schematic diagrams.
Connection and interconnection symbols represent complete electrical devices such
as switch outlets, receptacle outlets, lighting fixtures or luminaires, and auxiliary sys-
tems. These symbols take the form of relatively simple geometric shapes modified
with lines and letters inside or outside of them. The intent was to create a kind of tech-
nical shorhand that could be easily learned. They were kept simple to reduce the time
and expense of preparing drawings, particularly those used in the field for installation
of common off-the-shelf electrical components.
Figure 1-2 includes a selection of electrical connection and interconnection symbols
recommended by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for use on architec-
tural drawings. These symbols, or modified versions of them, are widely used on elec-
trical drawings in North America. Appendix A also includes a page of these symbols.
CAD electrical drafting software has eliminated the chore of reproducing these
symbols. The software contains a library of symbols that can be accessed from a
menu, downloaded, and dragged into position on the face of the screen as needed. The
basic symbols can be modified to fulfill special requirements or identify devices not
listed in the standard symbol list. In the past, symbols were usually drawn by the
draftsperson tracing around the inside of geometric cutouts in templates made of sheet
plastic.
As with line conventions, the motivation for using standardized symbols is to elim-
inate the time involved in trying to interpret drawings that include unfamiliar propri-
etary symbols. It is important that the symbols be easily recognized by all parties
involved in an electrical project, from the designer to the electricians doing the work.
As a result, the chances of making costly mistakes in interpretation are lessened.
Moreover, large architectural and consulting engineering firms with national and
international clients approve of symbol standardization because of the many people of
different backgrounds, languages, and cultures who could be using the drawings. This
is especially true of large-scale new construction projects such as hospitals, power sta-
tions, and industrial plants involving many different contractors.

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