LIGHTING SYMBOLS

Recessed Downlights
Symbol is used to indicate a recessed downlight and is to be drawn as a
small circle. Same symbol for fixed and adjustable types. Symbol size is
small.
Surface Mounted Downlights
Symbol is used to indicate a surface mounted downlight and is to be drawn
as a small circle. Same symbol for fixed and adjustable types. Symbol size
is small.
Ceiling Mounted Fixture
(Surface Mount, CTC, Flush Mount, Oyster Light)
Symbol is used for any ceiling mounted fixture and is to be drawn bigger
than the downlight symbol to the same size as a pendant.
Suspended Pendant (Includes Chandelier)
Symbol is used to indicate any suspended pendant or chandelier. If a group
of pendants are to be clustered, a symbol is to be used for each of the
pendants. The symbol is drawn larger than a downlight symbol and the
same size as ceiling mounted fixture.
Wall Mounted Fixture (Eye Level)
Symbol is used to indicate any fixture that is attached to the wall around eye
level. Symbol size is the same as a downlight.

Wall Mounted Stair Lights (Knee Height)

Symbol is used to indicate any fixture that is attached to the wall along
a staircase, hallway or passageway and is installed around knee height.
Symbol size is smaller than wall mount fixture.
Track Lighting
The track is drawn as a line and is to the intended length of the track to be
installed. Track heads position and quantity are indicated by using a single
flood symbol.
Bar Spot (2)
The length of a bar spot is fixed and the symbol shows a short line with
circles. The number of circles (2) indicate the quantity of the spotlights.

Bar Spot (3)

The length of a bar spot is fixed and the symbol shows a short line with
circles. The number of circles (3) indicate the quantity of the spotlights.

Bar Spot (4)

The length of a bar spot is fixed and the symbol shows a short line with
circles. The number of circles (4) indicate the quantity of the spotlights.

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Single Spotlight (Indoors) also used for a Floodlight (Outdoors)
Symbol is used to indicate a ceiling or wall mounted spotlight and the
direction of the triangle indicates the lighting position.

Double Spotlight also used for a Twin Floodlight (Outdoors)

Symbol is used to indicate a ceiling or wall mounted spotlight and the
direction of the triangle indicates the lighting position. If there is a sensor
integrated with the light, add a letter “S” to the fixture.
LED Strip Lighting
LED strip lighting is drawn as a thick dashed line and the length of the line
indicates the length of the LED strip.

Panel Light (Fluorescent or LED)

Panel lights are a popular choice for the garage or workshop and available
in surface mount or recess varieties. If the panel is to be recessed, add the
word “Recessed” to the symbol.
Ceiling Fan and Light
Ceiling fans are larger than other lights and the symbol will need to be
drawn larger to reflect this. Ceiling fan and light to have a white centre to
indicate the light.
Ceiling Fan (No Light)
Ceiling fans are larger than other lights and the symbol will need to be
drawn larger to reflect this. Ceiling fan and light to have a solid centre to
indicate fan only.

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ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS

Single GPO
GPO symbol is a semi-circle drawn against the wall, with a line coming out
from it. The number of semi-circles indicate the electrical connectors to be
shown on the same plate.
Double GPO
Double GPO to have two semi-circle shapes, with a line coming out of each
shape.

Triple GPO
Triple GPO to have three semi-circle shapes, with a line coming out of each
shape.

Quadruple GPO
Quadruple GPO to have four semi-circle shapes, with a line coming out of
each shape.
Data
Mark the position of the data point on to the wall that you intend to install
it on.

Television Outlet
Mark the position of the television outlet on to the wall that you intend to
install it on.

Telephone
Mark the position of the telephone on to the wall that you intend to install
it on.

Smoke Detector
Mark the position of the smoke detector on to the ceiling that you intend to
install it on. These items are permanently switched on and do not require a
wiring circuit to be shown on the plan.
Exhaust Fan
Mark the position of a single exhaust fan onto the ceiling that you intend to
install it on.

Exhaust Fan, Heat and Light (Combination Unit)

If you intend to use an exhaust fan and light or exhaust, heat and light unit,
indicate this by adding a square around the symbol.

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WIRING SYMBOLS

Wiring (Lighting Circuit)

A loose line is drawn in red pen that is used to indicate how the fixtures
connect to each other and to the switching point on the wall.

LIGHT SWITCH SYMBOLS

Single Switch
Each lighting circuit will need to have a switch point on the wall to operate
it. We indicate the number of switches on the same plate by using a symbol.

This symbol shows that a single lighting circuit will have 1x switch point and
the switching plate attached to the wall will have 1x switch only.

Notes:
A ceiling fan requires a separate circuit to the other lights and therefore will
need to have a separate switch to operate it. In this instance, this symbol
is to be used for the ceiling fan switch. If a light circuit is to be dimmed, a
separate switch plate is required, and a different symbol is to be used (see
below).

Double Switch
Two separate lighting circuits will need two separate switches to operate
them. This symbol indicates that there are two switches on the same lighting
plate attached to the wall.

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The reflected ceiling plan (RCP) can be hand drawn or produced using a computer software
and is used to indicate all hardwired fixtures only, not plug in lamps and electrical items, but
be sure to include a GPO for these items.

It is preferred that you remove the furniture from your floor plan to make the lighting and
electrical design clearly visible for your tutor. The standard convention is to use a black pen
when drawing a reflected ceiling plan, but you can choose to use a different colour pen for
the assignment submission if you feel that it will make it easier to read.

It is also essential to include a lighting legend/key to show the items you have used in the
design. The legend/key can be in portrait or landscape orientation.

NOTES

■ The reflected ceiling plan can be hand drawn, then scanned and uploaded as an
image file in JPEG or PDF format. You can also use one of the programs listed on the
‘Resources’ tab within the student site. Simply scroll down to the ‘Software’ section.
If you are competent in using a computer-aided design program, then please go
ahead.

■ Format must be A3 or A4.

■ The plan can be ‘Not to Scale’. It is advised to maximise the size of the floor plan to
aid drawing symbols and lighting circuits.

■ Please include a title block and a key with the lighting and electrical symbols.

RESOURCES

Information Resources
Glossary

Lighting Symbols
Lighting and Electrical Symbols
Lighting and Electrical Symbols (US + Canada)
Lighting and Electrical Symbols (UK)

Reflected Ceiling Plan Key Templates

RCP Symbol Key - Landscape (PDF)
RCP Symbol Key - Portrait (PDF)
RCP Symbol Key - Landscape (JPEG)
RCP Symbol Key - Portrait (JPEG)

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