1. Floor plans
   Reflected ceiling plan
2. HVAC plan
   Power riser diagrams

The reflected ceiling plan is like a floor plan to show you what's happening on the ceiling. It's the perfect place to look when laying out light fixtures or other components that will be installed on the ceiling.

1. 12
   18
2. 26
   49

No set of electrical plans is complete without the accompanying set of spec books. For all the information you need as an electrician, check out Division 26, which is based on the widely-used Constructions Specification Institute system and covers all things electrical.

1. Recessed fluorescent light
   Down light
2. Wall sconce
   HVAC wiring

This symbol is used on electrical plans to indicate a recessed fluorescent light fixture. If the fixture is meant to be surface-mounted rather than recessed into the ceiling, it is shown without the diagonal line passing from corner to corner.

1. Transformer
   Thermostat
2. Switch
   Panelboard

A panelboard, or breaker panel, is the hub of a home's electrical service. It's where the power that has been fed into the building is divided among various circuits. This symbol indicates a surface-mounted panelboard when it is unfilled, or a flush-mounted panelboard when it is colored in.

1. 30 volts
   60 volts
2. 120 volts
   420 volts

When you see this symbol, you should install a single 120-volt receptacle. If the symbol shows two lines passing through the circle, the intention is for the installer to use a duplex receptacle instead.

1. Thermostat
   Terminal
2. Transit hub
   Transformer

Indicated on electrical plans via a box with the letter "T" inside, a transformer is an important piece of equipment for any home or building. This device increases or decreases the main power coming from the electrical grid, transforming it into a safe voltage for everyday use.

1. Weatherproof
   Wind-powered
2. Without purpose
   Wisconsin proud

The letters WP in the electrical notes indicate that the equipment in question should be rated as weatherproof. For instance, a weatherproof outlet comes with corrosion-resistant hangers, screws and contacts to hold up in outdoor use.

1. Good
   Grey
2. Ground
   Giant

A ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a special safety feature used on electrical outlets and other equipment. Required in almost all outdoor settings, and many indoor ones -- like bathrooms -- the GFCI feature stops the flow of power in a fraction of a second when a fault is detected.

1. Circle
   Triangle
2. Star
   Square

Telecommunications fixtures are indicated by tiny triangles on electrical plans. On larger projects, they may be included on a separate Telecommunications drawing. Blank triangles indicate data ports, while blackened triangles indicate phone ports.

1. Circle
   Square
2. Star
   Triangle

A junction box is a metal or plastic casing that is used to keep wire connections protected. These elements are indicated on electrical plans by a circle with the letter "J" inside.

1. Above finished floor
   After filling fixtures
2. All fresh fixtures
   Altered flux fixtures

The letters AFF are commonly seen on building and electrical plans. When you see 48" AFF next to the symbol for a light switch, it means the switch should be installed 48 inches above finished floor.

1. Reflected ceiling plan
   Hardware schedule
2. Floor plan
   Plot plan

Plot plans show the electrician what is going to happen outside of the structure. This includes things like wiring locations and where equipment such as the transformer should be installed.

1. Standard
   Sideways
2. Switch
   Solo

The letter "S" on an electrical drawings simply stands for a single pole switch. A number after the S, such as S4, means that the installer should use a four-way switch.

1. Breaker
   Outlet
2. Switch
   Transformer

The number next to a wire on an electrical plan helps you match the wire to the correct breaker. These numbers, and the paths the wires will take, are shown on wiring diagrams.

1. Otherwise shown
   Over side
2. Other signs
   Occupancy sensor

The letters "OS" on an electrical plan stand for occupancy sensors. They may be listed in notes, or shown contained within a circle indicating where the sensor should be placed.

1. L-D
   L-S
2. S-D
   D-M

The letter "S" on its own indicates a standard electrical switch. When the letter "D" is placed next to it, it indicates that the switch should be equipped with a dimmer function.

1. Fixture tied to emergency power
   Fixture must be installed on wall
2. Fixture must have a shade on it
   Fixture must have only one bulb

A rectangular symbol split diagonally and shown on electrical drawings always indicates a fluorescent fixture. When half of the fixture is shaded and half is not, that means the fixture should be tied to emergency power. This means that the fixture will be powered by a backup supply if the main power goes out.

1. Thermostat
   Doorbell pushbutton
2. Smoke alarm
   Three-way switch

A small square with a solid black circle inside indicates a doorbell pushbutton. Because this device relies on electricity, it is shown on the electrical plans so that it will be wired correctly.

1. Recessed fixture
   Reversed fixture
2. Right-sized fixture
   Fluorescent fixture.

Circles shown on the reflected ceiling plan indicates round light fixtures called downlights. When there is an "R" inside the circle, that means the fixture should be recessed into the ceiling.

1. Copper wire
   Exposed wiring
2. Wire turning up
   Circuit breaker

Circuit breakers are represented by various incarnations of this symbol. These breakers are designed to automatically stop the flow of current if a problem, such as a fault, is detected.

1. Reduced wire size
   Refrigerator
2. Clothes washer
   Dishwasher

This symbol showing a circle with a triangle inside is used to represent a piece of equipment. Letters placed next to the symbol reveal what type of equipment will be used. Ref, for example, stands for refrigerator.

1. In the wall
   In the ceiling
2. In the floor
   Wherever it fits

Electrical engineers and designers use symbols to not only indicate what type of equipment should be installed, but also where it should be placed. This symbol is always used for an outlet in the floor, which will usually be covered to keep dirt out and prevent the outlet from becoming a trip hazard.

1. For future use
   Concealed in the floor
2. Concealed in the wall or ceiling
   Exposed

Branch circuits are used to divide and transfer power coming from the panel into various fixtures and equipment throughout a home or building. When the branch is shown as a continuous line on the drawings, that means it is meant to be concealed within the ceiling or wall.

1. Inside ductwork
   In the ceiling
2. In the floor
   In the walls

Branch circuits represented by a line broken into alternating long and short dashes should be concealed in the floor. These branch circuits are usually placed under access flooring or some form of panel so they can be accessed at a later time.

1. Smoke detector
   Standard dimensions
2. Swinging door
   Six dimmers

Smoke detectors are often hard-wired in, which eliminates issues with dead batteries. This means they must be wired by the electrician so they will function properly. Most are indicated on drawings using either a circle or square with the letters SD inside.

1. Transformer
   Television
2. Timeclock
   Thermostat

The letter "T" enclosed in a circle is the standard symbol for a thermostat. To properly install this device, electricians must also reference wiring diagrams, which may be found on a separate details page.

1. South paw
   Special purpse
2. Standard dimension
   Simple pair

Many electrical outlets are designed for general use. Those with a special function may require extra amps or other modifications, and are indicated on the drawings by the letters "SP."

1. It's a fire alarm.
   It cuts energy costs.
2. It protects computer and data gear.
   You probably wouldn't.

A telecommunications main grounding busbar, or TMGB, is a critical device to help protect computer, phone and data equipment. This equipment is too sensitive to simply use standard grounding techniques, so a TMGB is added to protect the equipment in case of a fault or power surge.

1. NEC
   NDHA
2. EWO
   MDOT

The National Electric Code provides the minimum standards used in the electrical industry. Many electrical plans include NEC notes and references, which all electricians should be familiar with.

1. United Parcel Service
   Uninterruptible power supply
2. United Power Standards
   Until Panic Subsides

The letters UPS stand for uninterruptible power supply. This is a battery=powered backup used to supply continuous power in case of an outage or other issue.,

1. Leave it exposed
   In the wall
2. In the ceiling
   In the floor

A branch circuit shown as a dashed line on the plans is meant to be left exposed. That could mean installing it in conduit, without placing it in the wall, ceiling or floor.

1. Average height use
   Artificial height unit
2. Air handling unit
   All hail universe

Air handling units are generally supplied and installed by the mechanical contractor, but the electrician also plays a role in finalizing the process. This includes adding specialty wiring and running the wiring to the device, though the scope may be further expanded on some projects.

1. Chemical warehouse
   Residential bathroom
2. Office space
   Bedroom

An outlet or other fixture shown with the letters "EP" beside it on the drawings should be rated as Explosion-Proof. This means it is designed so that a potential fault or spark inside the fixture won't ignite surrounding substances like vapors, gas or chemicals.

1. Gated
   Grounded
2. Generous
   Giant

Electrical grounding is critical for safety, and is represented on electrical plans by the letter "G" -- "UNG" stands for ungrounded. Grounding is accomplished by techniques like using a second neutral wire when pulling wires, or by using that third prong you see on things like an extension cord.

1. Brand-new
   Ballasted
2. Blank
   Borrowed

An outlet annotated with a letter "B" on the plans is meant to be blank. This means it should be wired for future use, but won't be used immediately and typically requires only a blank cover.

1. 2
   4
2. 8
   12

A standard conduit contains two wires -- one that is live and one neutral wire for grounding. Circuits shown on the drawings with a number indicate that the installer should use that quantity of wires.

1. Splice it
   Replace it with copper
2. Turn it up toward the ceiling
   Terminate it

This symbol means that a wire should be turned up. The same symbol in which the circle is filled in means that the wire is meant to be turned down toward the ground.

1. Current
   Voltage
2. Speed
   Sound

Amps measure current. A standard residential circuit measures 15 to 20 amps, which means it can accommodate 1800 to 2400 watts before it flips.

1. Box marked DS
   Box marked ES
2. Box marked M
   Box marked NT

As door hardware becomes more advanced, the installation of this hardware requires a joint effort between the hardware installer and an electrician. Look out for hardware symbols like DS, ES and M, which stand for door switch, electric strike and mag lock.

1. TV speaker
   Security camera
2. Standard outlet
   Light switch

This symbol represents a security camera. The number of cameras shown on the symbol generally equates to the number and pattern that should be installed.