Electrical Plans
Electrical Plans
*Generally most of the outlets in the home are 120 volts duplex outlets. Duplex
outlets have two receptacles.
*Duplex outlets are placed 12” above the floor
*220 volt outlets are used for double ovens, furnace, electric water heater, clothes
dryer, spa, and welders
Electrical Plans
In habitable rooms, duplex outlets should be placed a maximum of 12 feet apart
along the wall line.
Duplex outlets should be no more than 6' from an opening.
Each wall over 2' in length must have an outlet.
Think of furniture placement so duplex outlets do not become inaccessible behind
large pieces of furniture. Place a duplex outlet next to or behind a desk or table
where light is needed.
Electrical Plans
Place a duplex outlet near a fireplace, for an adjacent table light, a vacuum, or for
fireplace maintenance.
Place a duplex outlet in a hallway, for a vacuum.
Electrical Plans
*Special purpose outlets are used as electrical outlets for appliances such as
dishwashers and garbage disposals. Smoke detectors are also attached to
special purpose outlets.
Electrical Plans
Each vanity and dressing table should have at least one duplex outlet.
Electrical Plans
Duplex outlets over kitchen counters should be placed no further than 4 feet
apart.
Electrical Plans
*Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, outdoor circuits, and garages or outbuildings are
required to be protected by a GFCI outlet
*Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI or GFI), which trips a circuit breaker when
there is any unbalance in the circuit current.
Outside duplex outlets should be placed at a convenient exterior location, such as a
patio.
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*All exterior outlets must be waterproof and GFCI. The letters WP are used to
identify the cover plate on exterior duplex outlets.
Electrical Plans
Bathroom lights are commonly placed over the vanity.
Electrical Plans
To prevent insulation compression in exterior walls electrical wiring may be
placed at the bottom of the stud on the sole plate.
Electrical Plans
Each enclosed bath or laundry should have an exhaust fan or an openable
window
Electrical Plans
Carefully caulk and seal around all light and convenience outlets. Also, caulk and
seal where electrical wires penetrate the top and bottom plates.
Electrical Plans
When lighting a stairway you should place a switch at each level.
Electrical Plans
Place exterior lights properly to illuminate walks, drives, patios, decks, and other
high-use areas.
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In areas that require high illumination you could use fluorescent lighting fixtures.
Electrical Plans
Electrical light and receptacle symbols should be drawn with an 1/8 inch diameter
circle.
Electrical Plans
Switch symbols are drawn perpendicular to the wall to be read from the bottom or
right of the sheet.
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A single-pole switch may be connected to one or more lights.
*A three-way switch controls one or more lights from two switches.
A four-way switch controls one or more lights from three or more switches
Electrical Plans
Electrical Plans
The meter base must always be mounted so the meter socket is on the exterior of
the house, preferable on the side wall of a garage. The meter base should not be
installed on the front of the house for aesthetic reasons.
Electrical Plans
The preferred location for the distribution panel is on an inside garage wall, close
to the heaviest electrical loads, such as a range, clothes dryer, or electric furnace
If the house does not have garage, the panel should be located in a readily
accessible area such as a utility room or kitchen wall.
Electrical Plans
On an underground service the lines should be placed a minimum of 24 inches
below grade.
Matching
Thermostat
Recessed
Power
Center
Smoke
Detector
Fan
Fluorescent
Light
220 Volt
Outlet
Wall Mounted
Lighting Outlet
Weatherproof
Receptacle
4 Way
Switch
Matching
Motor
Overhead
Lighting Outlet
Split Wired
Outlet
Dishwasher
Outlet
Electrical
Door Opener
Ground Fault
Circuit
Interrupt
Single Pole
Switch
Telephone
Cable TV
Outlet
Buzzer
Generator
Chimes