House Plan Showing Electrical Symbols

Understanding Electrical Symbols on a House Plan When you're looking at a house plan, it's important to be able to understand the electrical symbols that are used. These symbols represent the different electrical components that will be installed in your home, such as outlets, switches, and light fixtures. Knowing what these symbols mean will help you to visualize the electrical layout of your home and make sure that it meets your needs.

Outlet Symbols

Single Outlet:

Represented by a small circle with a line running through it. *

Double Outlet:

Represented by two small circles with a line running through each of them. *

GFCI Outlet:

Represented by a small circle with a lightning bolt inside of it. *

AFCI Outlet:

Represented by a small circle with an "AF" inside of it.

Switch Symbols

Single-Pole Switch:

Represented by a small square with a line running through it. *

Three-Way Switch:

Represented by two small squares with a line running through each of them. *

Four-Way Switch:

Represented by three small squares with a line running through each of them.

Light Fixture Symbols

Ceiling Light:

Represented by a small circle with a light bulb inside of it. *

Wall Light:

Represented by a small square with a light bulb inside of it. *

Recessed Light:

Represented by a small circle with a dotted line around it.

Other Electrical Symbols

Junction Box:

Represented by a small square with an "X" inside of it. *

Circuit Breaker:

Represented by a small rectangle with a line running through it. *

Fuse Box:

Represented by a small rectangle with a lightning bolt inside of it.

Reading a House Plan

When you're reading a house plan, the electrical symbols will be located in the floor plan section. The symbols will be placed on the plan to indicate the location of the electrical components in each room. The symbols will also be labeled with the type of electrical component that they represent. By understanding the electrical symbols on a house plan, you can get a clear picture of the electrical layout of your home. This information can be helpful when you're making decisions about the placement of furniture and appliances. It can also be helpful when you're troubleshooting electrical problems.