Quiz: Can You Read Basic Electrical Plans?

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents power panels looks like a simple rectangle that is hatched with diagonal lines. Power panels most times fall under the subcategory of circuits and panels on architectural groupings.

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents a bell looks like an empty square that has a tiny circle in the middle of the right side. Buzzers are sometimes incorrectly designated with this symbol.

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents a single pole switch is simply just an inscription of the letter “S”. Single pole switches are the most common type of electrical switches in modern homes.

On basic electrical plans, the symbol that represents power panels looks like a simple rectangle that is hatched with diagonal lines. Power panels most times fall under the subcategory of circuits and panels on architectural groupings.

Fluorescent lights are represented by a symbol that consists of a horizontal line that has two vertical lines attached to it – one at each end. Fluorescent lights are advantageous due to their relatively long lifespan.

The symbol that represents a refrigerator outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and two parallel horizontal lines on the right end. Many building codes actually require that refrigerators are connected to a dedicated circuit.

The double pole switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “2.”

Waterproof downlights are not particularly common in buildings but are still very useful. The symbol on electrical plans that is used for waterproof downlights is a circle that has the letters “WP’ written inside of it.

Like refrigerators, other large appliances like clothes dryers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and even dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes dryer outlet is a circle that has three parallel horizontal lines running through it and protruding out of the left side of the circle; as well as a subscript “CD” in the bottom right.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a duplex outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it. These lines extend out of the circle on the left side.

A 220-volt outlet is represented on electrical plans by a circle that has three parallel horizontal lines running through it and protruding out of the left side of the circle. This symbol is identical to a regular clothes dryer outlet, without the subscript “CD.”

The four-way switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “4."

The symbol on electrical plans for a track light is one of the more relatively complex symbols. The symbol starts out looking like the symbol of a florescent light but it also has three smaller vertical lines connected and equal distances, with small circles on top of them.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a buzzer is sometimes mistaken for a bell symbol or symbols that serve similar purposes. This symbol simply consists of a square that has a diagonal that protrudes from the outer bottom right corner.

A symbol that is not seen as regularly as many other on this list. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a mini spotlight is an arrow that points to the right, which touches a vertical line.

The dimmer switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) representation of the letters “DM."

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a branch circuit that is concealed in a floor is sometimes mistaken for the symbol for an exposed branch circuit. The symbol is simply a horizontal dashed line that has small dots in the spaces in-between.

A blanked (unused) outlet is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If the outlet is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “B” inside and if it is wall mounted, then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line​ on the left of the circle.

When it comes to being represented on electrical plans, the general floor outlet has a very distinguishable symbol compared to the wide array of outlet symbols. It is a square, which contains a circle, which in turn contains a horizontal line that cuts it in half.

On electrical plans, the symbol for carbon monoxide detectors is one that you can easily tell the purpose of at first glance. It is simply a square that has the letters “CO” inscribed in the center.

While different variations of “special” power outlet symbols exist, there is a definite general symbol that can be used to encompass all of them if need be. This symbol is simply a circle that has a completely shaded triangle inside of it.

A pull switch is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If the pull switch is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle the letter “S” inside and if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a single outlet is a circle that has one parallel horizontal line running through its center. This line extends out of the circle on the left side.

Directional downlights are useful not only for general lighting but for aesthetic purposes as well. The symbol that represents it on an electrical plan is a circle that has two perpendicular lines – which create an arrow – resting on top of it. The arrow signifies the direction of the beam of light.

Floor washer lights are – unlike most of the other lighting symbols in the quiz – rarely seen on electrical plans. The symbol for floor washer lights is a rectangle that sits on top of an arrow.

This is another symbol that often gets mixed up with similar symbols like the buzzer symbol and the bell symbol. On electrical plans, the push button is designated by a symbol that is a simple square with a sizable dot in the center.

The thermostat symbol is seen in many plans of houses and buildings in the US and Europe. This symbol is simply represented by a square that has capital letter “T” written in the center of it.

While the name/description of what this symbol represents may be one of the longest in this quiz, the actual symbol itself is the easiest to draw. This symbol is simply a long horizontal line.

The symbol of a recessed downlight on an electrical plan is quite possibly one of the simplest ones to draw but also one of the easiest to overlook as well. Why is this? Because it is simply a circle!

Pendant lights are attractive lighting options that can actually allow a contrast of shadows and light in a room to create an intentional visual allure. The symbol on electrical plans for this is a circle that is bisected equally by a vertical line and a horizontal line – creating a cross and four equal separations of the circle.

Wall lights are particularly more aesthetically pleasing in smaller rooms or rooms that have more natural lighting options. The symbol that represents this on electrical plans is a vertical line that is touched by a triangle (just the tip of the triangle). The triangle has a horizontal line down its middle.

While no one wants to have to use a panic button, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The symbol that represents panic buttons on electrical plans is simply a square that has the letters “PB” written in the middle of it.

Under cabinet lights are most often seen in kitchens and to some lesser extent, bathrooms as well. This fixture is represented on electrical plans by a circle that is separated into two halves by a vertical line – one half is shaded and the other is left unshaded.

A light outlet is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a blank circle; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

Smoke detectors are essential safety fixtures that can be found in commercial buildings and residential ones as well. The symbol that represents smoke detectors on electrical plans is a square that has the letters “SD” written in the middle of it.

The symbol on electrical plans that designates where an exposed branch circuit will be, is actually very similar to the symbols for a branch circuit that is concealed in a floor. The symbol for an exposed one is simply a dashed line that is made up of close and small dashes.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a duplex outlet with a switch is very similar to the symbol for a regular duplex outlet. It is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it and these lines extend out of the circle on the left side. The difference is that there is a small (subscript) “S” at the bottom right corner.

The pilot light switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) letter “P.P

A lamp holder is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “L” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

A fan is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “F” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

​Wall up and down lights are unique lights that are primarily used for aesthetic purposes, since the beam of light comes out of both the top and bottom of the fixture. The symbol that represents this fixture on electrical plans is a square that has a dot inside of it – very similar to a push button symbol.

Floor uplights are small light fixtures that resemble miniature floor spotlights or simple small round discs. The symbol that represents floor uplights on an electrical plan is a circle that is cut into four equal parts by a horizontal line and a vertical line. The circle then has two quarter pieces – alternating ones – fully shaded.

The three-way switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that as the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) number “3."

The waterproof switch has a symbol on electrical plans that is similar to the electrical symbol for a single pole switch. The only difference is that at the bottom right corner of the “S” there is a small (subscript) representation of the letters “WP." These lights are used outdoors and in some bathrooms.

Like other large appliances, dishwashers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes washer outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and a protruding line to the left. It also has a subscript “DW” in the bottom right.

A junction box is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle with the letter “J” inside of it; however, if it is wall mounted then the symbol is the same but just with a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a quad outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it – these lines extend out of the circle on the left side; and two vertical lines that run through these other lines.

Like other large appliances, clothes washers will oftentimes have dedicated outlets and even dedicated circuits as well. The symbol on electrical plans that represents a clothes washer outlet is a circle that has a triangle inside of it and a protruding line to the left. It also has a subscript “CW” at the bottom right.

A lamp holder with a pull switch is represented by two similar symbols depending on the context. If it is mounted in the ceiling, then the symbol is just a circle that has the letter “L” inside and the letters “PS” as subscript at the bottom right. If it is wall mounted, then the symbol is the same but with just a horizontal line on the left of the circle.

The symbol on electrical plans that represents a multiple outlet is a circle that has two parallel horizontal lines running through it. These lines extend out of the circle on the left side and there is a subscript (small number) on the right lower side that shows the number of sockets.