Electrical Plans

Introduction
• Electrical plans:
– Display all circuits and systems used by the
electrical contractor during installation
– May be placed on floor plan or separate
• Electrical installation phases
– Temporary
– Rough-in electrical
– Finish electrical
 Electric Terms and Definitions
• Common terms:
– Ampere, volt, watt – Ground
– Box – Junction box
– Breaker – Lighting outlet
– Circuit – Meter and meter base
– Conductor, conduit – Outlet
– Distribution panel – Switch leg
– Electrical work – Temporary electric service
Overview
 Electrical Circuit Design
• Discuss anticipated electrical needs
– Intended use of rooms
– Potential furniture placement
– Costs and budgets
• Electrical code requirements
– State size of some circuits and placement of
certain outlets and switches
 Home Automation
• Automation:
– Controlling and operating mechanical devices
other than human power
– Types of systems:
• Entertainment centers
• Computerized programming of house functions
• Security systems
• Radio frequency systems
• Structured wiring systems
 Smoke Detectors
• Provide safe exit opportunity through early
detection of fire and smoke
– UL 217 (Underwriters Laboratories)
– NFPA 72 (National Fire Protection Association)
• Installed in each sleeping room, and centrally
located in a corridor providing access to bedrooms
 Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Required in new residential construction
with fuel-fired appliances or attached
garage
– UL 2034
• Placed outside of each separate sleeping area in
immediate vicinity of bedrooms in dwelling units
• Installed in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions
Universal Electrical Installations
• Design accommodating all ages and
possible disabilities should be considered
– Switch locations
– Convenience outlets
– Lighting
– Communications
Electrical Symbols
Standards or Conventions?
PLAN
EXAMPLES
PLAN EXAMPLES
PLAN EXAMPLES
 Light Fixture Design and
Placement
• Lighting options:
– General lighting
– Uniform down-lighting
– Non-uniform down-lighting
– Task lighting
– Accent lighting
– Light scallop
– Recessed lighting
Kitchen Electrical Layouts
Bathroom Electrical Layouts
 Electrical Wiring Specifications
• Service entrance and meter base
installation considerations:
– What is the service capacity to be installed?
– Where is the service entrance to be located?
– Where will the meter base be located?
– Where will the distribution panel be located?
Electrical Design Considerations
• Basic considerations:
– Entry and entry foyer – Office or hobby room
– Patios and porches – Hallways and stairs
– Living area – Garage
– Dining room and – Outdoor outlets
kitchen – Crawl spaces
– Bedrooms and – Smoke detectors
bathrooms – Electronics
– Laundry/utility room
 Common Ideas
• Outlets above desks notated with height
• Outlet near FP
• Outlet in pantry
• Exhaust fan if no window (generally always) in bathroom or laundry
• Light over sink w/ separate switch
• Switch to garbage disposal
• Light in pantry or walk in closet
• Outlets and TV/Phone above Fireplaces for Flat Panel TV’s
 Where are the most frustrating
electrical problems in your home?

• Place switches and outlets at convenient locations

• Outlets should be a maximum of 12’ apart and 6’ from an opening
• Keep switches and outlets accessible
• (Not behind doors, within reach of door)
• Keep an outlet in the hallway
• Keep outlets close together in kitchen and plentiful
• Each sink in a bathroom must have its own outlet
• 4 Plex outlets are good substitutes in kitchens and bathrooms
 Outlets

• 110 volt
• 220 volt
• 15-30 Amp breakers
• Duplex , 4 plex, 6 plex
• Exterior water proof
• GFCI or ________________
• Outlet height standard ___” other wise noted A.F.F or _________________
Switches

• Switch ____” A.F.F.

• Three way switch, 4 way, 5 way …….
• Dimmer switch
• Motion switch
• Single gang box
• Double gang box
• Multiple gang box
 Kitchen & Laundry Circuit Design
• Kitchen circuits require ground-fault current interrupter (GFCI)
• Exhaust fan needed if gas appliances are used
• Place a light over the sink in the kitchen (Can lights common)
• Hanging light over table common
• Min of 2 small appliance circuits serving countertops
• No point along counter >24” from outlet
• Outlet max 20” above counter
• Island min 1 outlet
• Island, peninsula allow on side cabinet max 12” below counter & no overhang >6”
 Bathroom Circuit Design
• Kitchen and laundry circuits require ground-fault current interrupter (GFCI)
• Outlet required within 3’ of each sink
• No outlet inside tub or shower space
• Exhaust fan needed in bathroom & laundry room if no window
• Ceiling lights are common in bedrooms vs. old switched outlets used for lamp
lighting (adding a fan light common as well)
• Bar lights common in minimum sized bathrooms
• Water proof can light in shower/ tub area
 Bedroom & Hallway Circuit Design
• Any wall > 2’ must have an outlet
• No point on wall further than 6’ horizontally from another outlet
• 6’ chord must reach an outlet
• Ceiling lights are common in bedrooms vs. old switched outlets used for lamp
lighting (adding a fan light common as well)
• Flush mount lights
• Can lights
• Switch must be in room
• Habitable space protected by AFCI
 Hallway & Closets Circuit Design
• Walk-in closets require lights
• Pantry
• Hallways > 10’ require outlet
• 3 way switch required at each end of hallway and stairs
 Exterior Circuit Design
• Inside Garages
• Coach lights
• Outlets in Eaves
• Notate outlets in garage 18” A.F.F.
• 48” A.F.F. if above workbench
• Each exit needs:
• Light
• GFCI Waterproof outletx
 General Circuit Design
• Place switches so they are near lights
• Use 220-volt outlets in a shop, dryer, stove, double ovens
• Dryer 30 amp
• Oven or range 40 amp
• Hot tub 50 amp
• Light stairways well (one at top and bottom at least)
• Use exterior lights to illuminate outside areas
General Electrical Design Considerations
• Entry - One light controlled by a switch (Typically hanging fixture)
• Patio/Porch - Lighting and GFI outlets
• Family room- Ceiling light/fan and outlets (Can lights are common)
• Surround sound wiring
• TV jacks
• Phone jacks
• Dining room - Switch-controlled ceiling light (Typically Chandelier)
 Electrical Design Considerations

• Bathrooms - GFI outlets, Bar light over mirrors and fans

• Laundry - Ceiling lights with 120-volt (washer) and 220-volt (dryer) outlets
• Smoke detectors - One in each sleeping area, entrance to sleeping areas, and
one each story
• Kitchen - Outlets above the counter, for appliances, and adequate lighting
 Electrical Design Considerations
• Telephones - Located in kitchen, office, and master bedroom
• CAT 5E
± Television, cable, or dish
• RG 6
• Stereo, surround sound, security
• Usually wired by a specialist, but locations given in notes
• Structured wiring
• CAT 5E and RG6
 Wiring Specifications

• Typical residential service is 100-200 amps

• Service can be distributed overhead or underground
• Locate meter on garage or exterior side wall
• Locate the distribution panel in basement utility room
 Codes and Ideas

• Light at all exits with GFCI WP outlet

• Light over sink w/ separate switch
• Switch to garbage disposal
• Bath lights over mirror
• Can lights in shower or over tub if large bathroom
• Switches placed in easiest locations
• Light in pantry or walk in closet
• Lights in stairwell
• Outlets and TV/Phone above Fireplaces for Flat Panel
TV’s
• Specify height of outlets if not at standard 12” a.f.f.
 Steps in Drawing Electrical Plans
1. Insert switches & light symbols as blocks on electrical layer
2. Draw using the arc or spline the electrical switch legs from switch to light on
the electrical wire layer
3. Insert outlet blocks on electrical layer
 Steps in Drawing Electrical Plans
4. Label Drawing & general notes on the text layer
5. Add Legend xref
 Steps in Drawing the Electrical
Plan
• Draw all light fixtures
• Place all electrical outlets
• Draw all additional electrical symbols
• Letter all switch locations and provide
characteristics
 Steps in Drawing the Electrical
Plan (cont’d.)
• Draw electrical circuits or switch legs from
switches to fixtures using a dashed arc line
• Letter all notes, drawing title, and scale
• Add general electrical notes, fixture
schedules, and symbol legends