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 PlansIn 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 PlansPlace 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 PlansEach vanity and dressing table should have at least one duplex outlet.

Electrical PlansDuplex 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.

Electrical Plans*All exterior outlets must be waterproof and GFCI. The letters WP are used to identify the cover plate on exterior duplex outlets.

Electrical PlansBathroom 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 PlansEach enclosed bath or laundry should have an exhaust fan or an openable window

Electrical PlansCarefully caulk and seal around all light and convenience outlets. Also, caulk and seal where electrical wires penetrate the top and bottom plates.

Electrical PlansWhen lighting a stairway you should place a switch at each level.

Electrical PlansPlace exterior lights properly to illuminate walks, drives, patios, decks, and other high-use areas.

Electrical PlansIn areas that require high illumination you could use fluorescent lighting fixtures.

Electrical PlansElectrical light and receptacle symbols should be drawn with an 1/8 inch diameter circle.

Electrical PlansSwitch symbols are drawn perpendicular to the wall to be read from the bottom or right of the sheet.

Electrical PlansA 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 PlansThe 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 PlansThe 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

Smoke Detector

Fan

Fluorescent Light

220 Volt Outlet

Recessed Power Center

Wall Mounted Lighting Outlet

Weatherproof Receptacle

4 Way Switch

Matching

Motor

Electrical Door Opener

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt

Single Pole Switch

Telephone

Overhead Lighting Outlet

Dishwasher Outlet

Cable TV Outlet

Buzzer

Generator

Chimes

Split Wired Outlet