1. Chapter 19
Electrical Plans

2. Introduction Electrical plans: Electrical installation phases
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

3. Electric Terms and Definitions
Common terms:
Ampere, volt, watt
Box
Breaker
Circuit
Conductor, conduit
Distribution panel
Electrical work
Ground
Junction box
Lighting outlet
Meter and meter base
Outlet
Switch leg
Temporary electric service

4. Overview

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Universal Electrical Installations
Design accommodating all ages and possible disabilities should be considered
Switch locations
Convenience outlets
Lighting
Communications

10. Electrical Symbols Standards or Conventions?

11. PLAN EXAMPLES

12. PLAN EXAMPLES

13. PLAN EXAMPLES

14. Light Fixture Design and Placement
Lighting options:
General lighting
Uniform down-lighting
Non-uniform down-lighting
Task lighting
Accent lighting
Light scallop
Recessed lighting

15. Kitchen Electrical Layouts

16. Bathroom Electrical Layouts

17. 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?

18. Electrical Design Considerations
Basic considerations:
Entry and entry foyer
Patios and porches
Living area
Dining room and kitchen
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Laundry/utility room
Office or hobby room
Hallways and stairs
Garage
Outdoor outlets
Crawl spaces
Smoke detectors
Electronics

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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 _________________

22. 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

23. 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”

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 outlet

28. 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

29. 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)

30. 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

31. 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

32. Wiring Specifications
Typical residential service is amps
Service can be distributed overhead or underground
Locate meter on garage or exterior side wall
Locate the distribution panel in basement utility room

33. 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.

34. Steps in Drawing Electrical Plans
Insert switches & light symbols as blocks on electrical layer
Draw using the arc or spline the electrical switch legs from switch to light on the electrical wire layer
Insert outlet blocks on electrical layer

35. Steps in Drawing Electrical Plans
Label Drawing & general notes on the text layer
Add Legend xref

36. 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

37. 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