Alena Smith
ARC 230: Environmental Systems
07/09/2020
Electrical Plan “Cheat Sheet”
Electrical Panels:
1. Also known as a distribution/service panel, this is where the electrical current is delivered
throughout a building.
2. The size of a distribution panel (in amps) is determined by the total load requirements
(watts) of the entire building.
3. The NEC minimum for new residential construction is 60 amps.
4. Service panels are available with capacities of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200
amps. The next highest panel above the required amps should be chosen.
5. From the service panel, electricity is routed to the rest of the building through branch
circuits. Each circuit is protected with a circuit breaker.
6. The NEC has divided branch circuits into 3 types: small-appliance, lighting circuits, and
individual (dedicated) circuits.
Switches:
1. Include a switch for all structural fixtures and devices that need to be turned on or off.
2. Indicate the height of all switches, which is usually 4' to 5' above floor level (3’-6” for
wheelchair access).
3. Locate switches on the latch side of doors, no closer than 2 1/2" from the casing.
4. Exceptions to any standard should be dimensioned on the plan or elevation drawing.
5. Select the type of switch, switch mechanism, switch plate cover, and type of finish for each
switch.
6. Plan a switch to control at least one light in each room.
7. Locate garage door-closer switches at the house entry and within easy reach inside the
garage door.
8. Control bedroom lights with a three-way switch at the entry and at the bed.
9. Use three-way switches for all large rooms that have two exits. Use additional four-way
switches for rooms with more than two exits.
10. Use timer switches on closet and storage areas.
11. Specify timer switches for pool motors.
12. Locate safety alarm switches for a security system in the master control unit and in the
master bedroom.
13. Switches for outdoor security lighting (motion detector lights) should be installed on all
levels.
14. Locate lighted switches in all rooms to ensure that a person need not enter or leave a room
in the dark.
15. Specify timed occupancy (motion controlled) sensors for light fixtures for non-essential
fixtures.
Alena Smith
ARC 230: Environmental Systems
07/09/2020
16.
Duplex convenience outlet locations:
1. Outlets (except in the kitchen) should average one every 6' (1,829 mm) of wall space.
2. An outlet should be placed no further than 6' from each room corner, unless a door or builtin feature occupies this space.
3. GFCI outlets should be placed anywhere near water.
4. One switch-controlled (split) outlet should be provided in each room to control plug-in
lamps.
5. Consider furniture placement and positioning of portable lamps when placing lighting
outlets. Room centered furniture may need floor outlets.
6. An outlet should be placed on any wall between doors regardless of space.
7. The height of all outlets should be noted on the electrical plan. Exceptions to standard
dimensions should be noted at each outlet or referenced on an interior wall elevation.
Normal code height for wall outlets is 10" to 12” from the floor.
8. A note such as “all convenience outlets to be 12” above floor line unless otherwise noted” is
common. This means only outlets that are not 12” above the floor line need to be
dimensioned.
9. Dimension the height of outlets above countertops.
Stairways:
1. Use three-way and four-way switches to control lights at both ends of stairwells, halls, and
garages.
Bathrooms/Restrooms:
1. At least one GFCI outlet should be placed above each bathroom countertop or vanity table.
A minimum of two GFCI outlets should be in each bathroom.
2. Countertop switch heights are normally 40” to 44” above the floor line.
Halls/Corridors:
1. Use three-way switches to control lights at both ends of stairwells, halls, and garages.
2. Hall outlets should be placed every 15’.
Food Preparation/Kitchen/Cooking Areas:
1. Kitchen appliance outlets (with GFCIs) should average one every 4' of wall space, be
located over countertops, and include at least one countertop outlet between major
appliances.
2. Countertop switch heights are normally 40” to 44” above the floor line.
3. All individual outlets and dedicated circuits should be labeled with the appliance or device
served. Provide an outlet for each fixture, device, or appliance in the plan.
Alena Smith
ARC 230: Environmental Systems
07/09/2020
4. The NEC requires a minimum of two small-appliance circuits in a residence.
Utility Rooms:
1. Utility rooms require heavy-duty outlets for motor-driven and heat-producing appliances.
2. Separate circuits (20 amps) are required in a laundry area to provide power for the washing
machine and dryer. Because of the danger of water leakage, a GFCI receptacle is
recommended.
3. Use timer switches for garage general lighting, bathroom exhaust fans, and heat lights.
4. An outdoor weatherproof outlet (GFCI) should be provided on each side of a house.
Position a waterproof outlet for a patio, pool, and a grill. Position outside outlets for
decorative lighting and for low voltage circuits, such as for entry doors, garage door, and
security lights.
5. The location of all common and special-purpose outlets, such as cable and telephone jacks,
is shown on floor plans using one of the symbols.
General Notes: Preparing Electrical Drawings
1. Prepare the base floor plan. (Floor plan including walls and major features) without
dimensions or notes.
2. Select fixtures as a guide.
3. Located and draw the service entrance and distribution panel.
4. Locate and draw the position of each fixture and device on the plan using symbols. (Ceiling
fixtures may be shown on a reflected ceiling plan.)
5. Select the switch type needed to control each fixture or device.
6. Locate and draw the switch symbol for each switch on the plan.
7. Draw a curved solid or dashed line connecting each switch with the fixture the switch
controls. The connecting lines may be curved to avoid confusion with straight object lines.
8. Locate the position and draw the symbols for each outlet on the plan.
9. Where switches or lines are connected to a different level or another drawing, draw the line
outside the plan and label the line destination.
10. Show the location of devices and control centers that require special wiring such as TV or
computer network cables. Connect these with curved lines.
11. Add notes to clarify any wiring needs not obvious on the drawing.
12. List the number and type of switches, outlets and fixtures found.
13. Connections to the second level can be shown with bold lines to separate them from other
previous floor lines.