Electrical symbols for floor plans: the standard icons
An electrical floor plan uses standardized symbols to represent each piece of equipment universally. This guide covers the 99 most common symbols out of the 370+ available in Planelico, organized by category, with usage notes, the rules that apply, and practical installation tips.
Why use standardized electrical symbols?
Standardized electrical symbols ensure that a floor plan can be read and understood by any electrician, inspector, or architect — regardless of who drew it. The international reference is IEC 60617, adopted in the UK as BS EN 60617 and used across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Planelico's library follows it.
A plan without standard symbols (hand-drawn or text-only) is not sufficient for:
- Submitting a brief to an electrician
- Inspection and sign-off by a third party
- Accurate quoting of electrical work
- Technical archives of the home (resale, insurance claim, future renovation)
Index: find a symbol by the name you searched for
A symbol is rarely looked up under its formal name. People search for "power outlet symbol floor plan", "FCU electrical symbol" or "weatherproof outlet symbol" — not for the wording printed in the standard. This index starts from the common phrasings and points to the matching symbol entry below.
These are the IEC 60617 symbols — the same conventions as BS EN 60617 in the UK. North American drawings use ANSI and NEMA symbols, which look different for the same equipment, so a legend page matters if your plan will be read on both sides of the Atlantic.
Where a UK requirement applies to a symbol, it is called out in a green UK note — BS 7671, or the Approved Document that governs it. The wider picture is in the BS 7671 electrical plan guide. Building in France instead? The rules there are different, and they are set out in the NF C 15-100 guide.
Contents — jump to a category
Power — outlets & circuits
Socket outlets and dedicated circuits make up the bulk of a domestic installation. BS 7671 sets no minimum number per room — provision is a design decision — but it does require 30 mA RCD protection for sockets up to 32 A, and high-draw appliances such as cookers and showers get circuits of their own.
Socket outlet (13 A)
Standard BS 1363 socket outlet. The most common symbol on a domestic plan — lamps, TV, small appliances.
UK · BS 7671 sets no minimum number per room: provision is a design decision. Socket outlets rated up to 32 A do need 30 mA RCD protection, and in new dwellings Approved Document M places accessories between 450 mm and 1200 mm above finished floor level.
Tip · Plan generously. An extra socket at first fix costs almost nothing; adding one afterwards means chasing a finished wall.
Double socket outlet
Two BS 1363 outlets in a single back box — the default choice in most UK rooms.
Tip · Bedsides, behind the TV, either side of a kitchen worktop, and at a desk: anywhere a trailing extension lead would otherwise end up.
Triple socket outlet
Three outlets in one box. Useful in media corners, home offices and kitchens.
Tip · Remember the total load is still limited by the circuit, not the number of outlets. Mixing a high-draw appliance with several small loads is a reason for a dedicated circuit.
Fused connection unit (FCU)
Fused spur used to supply a fixed appliance — extractor, boiler, towel rail, waste disposal — from a socket or radial circuit.
UK · The fuse in the FCU protects the appliance flex; the circuit itself is still protected at the consumer unit. A switched FCU also provides the local isolation many appliances require.
Cooker connection unit
Outlet plate for hardwiring an electric cooker, oven or hob. Shown as a reinforced box, usually below and to one side of the appliance.
UK · Normally a dedicated circuit, typically 32 A or 40 A on 6 mm² cable with diversity applied to the appliance rating, switched by a cooker control unit within reach but not directly above the hob.
Socket on a dedicated circuit
A socket outlet given its own way in the consumer unit, rather than sharing the general socket circuit.
Tip · Worth doing for a freezer: an unrelated fault elsewhere in the house then cannot trip the circuit keeping it cold.
Flex outlet plate
Wall plate for hardwiring fixed equipment with no visible plug — immersion heater, towel rail, built-in oven.
Tip · Pair it with a means of isolation. Terminating a flex behind a plate with no local switch makes future maintenance needlessly awkward.
Surface flex outlet
Surface-mounted flex outlet, typically around 1.8 m, feeding a cooker hood, wall light or motorised blind.
Tip · For a cooker hood, a switched fused spur is usually better than a hardwired plate — it makes replacing the appliance far easier.
High-level socket outlet
Socket set above worktop or furniture height — behind a wall-mounted TV, above a desk or over a kitchen worktop.
Tip · Align the outlet to a specific piece of furniture. Note the exact height directly on your Planelico plan (using the "Note" field).
Weatherproof socket outlet
IP-rated socket for outdoors, garages, garden rooms and other exposed positions.
UK · Socket outlets are not permitted in bathroom zones; the only usual exception is a shaver supply unit to BS EN 61558-2-5. Outdoors, choose the IP rating for the position and protect the circuit with a 30 mA RCD.
High-level weatherproof socket
IP-rated socket mounted clear of the ground — under a soffit, on a garage wall, or beside an outbuilding door.
Built-in oven supply
Supply point for a built-in oven, usually an outlet plate or a cooker connection unit adjacent to the housing unit.
UK · Where the oven and hob are separate appliances, give them separate circuits unless the combined load with diversity genuinely justifies sharing one.
Freezer socket
Socket serving a fridge or freezer, ideally on its own circuit so unrelated tripping cannot spoil the contents.
Tip · Stick a visible label on the wall plate ("FREEZER — DO NOT UNPLUG"). Prevents half of incidents.
Dishwasher supply
Socket or switched fused spur for a dishwasher, normally with a switch accessible above the worktop.
Hob supply
Supply point for an electric hob, hardwired via a cooker connection unit.
Washing machine supply
Socket or switched fused spur for a washing machine or tumble dryer, with a switch reachable without moving the appliance.
UK · Served from the kitchen circuit or its own way depending on the load; 30 mA RCD protection applies as it does to every socket outlet in a dwelling.
USB socket outlet
Socket combining BS 1363 outlets with integrated USB-A or USB-C charging.
Tip · Useful at bedsides and desks, but the USB module dates faster than the socket. Somewhere you can reach easily is a better bet than somewhere behind furniture.
Lighting
Lighting symbols show where each fitting goes; the wiring back to its switch is drawn separately as a connection line. Domestic lighting circuits are usually 6 A, commonly one per floor.
Ceiling lighting point
Fixed lighting position on the ceiling. The wiring to its switch is shown separately as a connection line.
UK · Lighting circuits are usually 6 A and, like the rest of a domestic installation, need 30 mA RCD protection where cables are concealed in walls at less than 50 mm depth.
Recessed downlight
Recessed LED downlight, usually placed in runs or grids.
Tip · Fire-rated downlights are needed where they penetrate a fire-resisting ceiling — between floors, or below a loft. Check that before setting out the grid.
Wall light
Wall-mounted light fitting, often beside a bed, a mirror or an external door.
Tip · Bedside sconces should be controlled by a switch at hand-height (60-70 cm), independent from the main ceiling light.
Ceiling fan
Ceiling fan, with or without an integrated light, controlled by a wall switch or a remote receiver.
Tip · Position: dead center of the room. Minimum blade clearance: 2,30 m from the floor.
LED strip
LED tape with its driver, usually in a cove, under a cabinet or behind a mirror.
Tip · Mark the driver position, not just the tape. It needs ventilation, access for replacement, and a run short enough to avoid voltage drop along the tape.
Switching
Switches control lighting circuits and some fixed equipment. A light operated from two positions needs two-way switching; from three or more, add intermediate switches or use an impulse relay. Approved Document M places accessories between 450 mm and 1200 mm in new dwellings.
One-way switch
Single switch controlling one lighting point or group.
UK · Approved Document M places switches between 450 mm and 1200 mm above finished floor level in new dwellings; around 1050 to 1200 mm is the usual choice. Leave clearance from the door frame so the plate is reachable with the door open.
Two-gang switch
Two switches in one plate, each controlling a separate lighting group.
Tip · Great in kitchens to separate general lighting from worktop lighting.
Two-way switch
Switch wired so a light can be operated from two positions.
UK · The standard arrangement for a hallway with two entrances, a bedroom with a door and bedside control, and a staircase with a switch at the top and bottom.
Tip · On your Planelico plan, draw a connection between both switches and the light to visualize the wiring.
Push-button switch
Retractive switch that returns to its position — used with impulse relays, doorbells and some smart dimmers.
Tip · Elegant solution for long hallways or multi-landing stairs: a button at each entry, one impulse relay at the panel.
Dimmer switch
Switch allowing the light level to be varied.
Tip · Check the dimmer is rated for the LED load and listed as compatible with the lamps. A mismatch is the usual cause of flicker and buzz.
Timer switch
Switch that turns the light off automatically after a set delay. Common in hallways, stairwells and communal areas.
Switch with indicator
Switch with a neon or LED indicator showing the circuit state — useful where the load is out of sight.
Tip · Bedside or dark hallway: pilot ON when OFF = locate the switch. To signal a running device: pilot ON when ON.
Two-gang switch with indicator
Two indicated switches in one plate, for loads you cannot see from the switch position.
Push button with indicator
Retractive switch with an indicator, typically used with an impulse relay.
Impulse relay (latching relay)
Relay switched by retractive push buttons, letting one light be controlled from many positions without a chain of two-way and intermediate switches.
Tip · Worth it from about four control positions. Below that, two-way and intermediate switching is simpler to wire and to fault-find.
Double-pole switch
Switch breaking both line and neutral — used for isolation of fixed appliances such as immersion heaters and showers.
Doorbell
Bell or chime with its push and transformer, wired or wireless.
Intermediate switch
Switch inserted between two two-way switches so a light can be controlled from three or more positions.
UK · Both strappers from the upstream two-way switch pass through the intermediate, which either swaps them or does not. Add as many intermediates as you need between the two end switches.
Tip · Beyond 3 control points, compare with an impulse relay + push buttons: usually less cable and identical wall plates everywhere.
Ventilation boost switch
Local control raising the ventilation unit to its boost rate.
UK · The control should boost the unit, not switch it off: continuous ventilation is expected to run continuously.
Tip · Place it near the cooktop, not at the kitchen entrance: cooking is when you need it.
Shutter / blind switch
Retractive up-stop-down control for a motorised shutter or blind.
UK · Approved Document M applies as it does to any accessory: 450 mm to 1200 mm above finished floor level in new dwellings.
Tip · Choose momentary (impulse) switches if you plan centralization or smart control later: maintained-position switches complicate both.
Central shutter control
Single control operating several shutters or blinds together.
Tip · The winning combo: individual control at each window + one central at the entrance and one at bedside. Close everything when leaving, open everything on waking.
Presence detector (lighting)
Detector switching lighting automatically, common in hallways, WCs and utility rooms.
Tip · In WCs and pantries, choose a presence detector (high sensitivity) rather than a motion detector: it keeps the light on even when you sit still.
Photocell switch
Daylight-sensing switch bringing external lighting on at dusk.
Tip · Pair twilight + time clock: on at dusk, off at 11 pm — the best compromise between a welcoming home and the bill.
Boxes & connections
Junction boxes, ceiling roses and containment distribute and connect circuits inside walls, floors and ceilings. Invisible once the work is finished, they still belong on the plan: connections must stay accessible unless the box is a maintenance-free type to BS 5733.
Junction box
Connection point where circuit conductors are joined inside a wall, floor void or ceiling.
UK · Connections must remain accessible for inspection unless the box is a maintenance-free type to BS 5733 marked MF, which may be concealed.
Ceiling rose / luminaire coupler
Ceiling connection point for a light fitting — a ceiling rose, or a luminaire supporting coupler for a plug-in fitting.
UK · The fixing must carry the weight of the intended fitting. Heavy pendants and fans need a fixing back to the joist or a purpose-made brace, not just the plasterboard.
Tip · Even in a downlit ceiling, keep a central connection point. The day someone wants a pendant over the table, the provision is already there.
Wall light connection point
Connection point for a wall-mounted fitting.
UK · In a bathroom, the zone the fitting sits in sets the minimum IP rating, and SELV is required in the most exposed positions. Check the zone before choosing the fitting.
Weatherproof junction box
IP-rated enclosure for connections outdoors, in a garage or in an unheated space.
UK · Pick the IP rating for the position, keep the box accessible, and make sure the glands suit the cable actually used.
Conduit / cable containment
Conduit, trunking or capping protecting cables in walls, floors and ceilings.
UK · Cables concealed in a wall at less than 50 mm depth must either run in the permitted safe zones with 30 mA RCD protection, or have mechanical protection such as earthed metal conduit.
Tip · Always lay one or two spare empty conduits toward the attic and garage: pulling a future cable will cost zero wall chasing.
Earth electrode
Rod or plate providing a connection to the general mass of earth.
UK · Needed where the installation is TT rather than TN, and one common way of meeting the open-PEN requirement for an EV charge point on a PME supply. The measured electrode resistance has to suit the protective device.
Tip · In new builds, a foundation earth loop (bare 25 mm² copper in the footings) gives far better earthing than a rod — and is nearly free at that stage.
Supplementary bonding
Bonding conductors between exposed and extraneous conductive parts, typically in a bathroom.
UK · Supplementary bonding in a bathroom may be omitted where all the conditions of Regulation 701.415.2 are met: every circuit 30 mA RCD protected, main protective bonding in place, and disconnection times satisfied. If any one fails, the bonding stays.
Electrical distribution
Consumer unit, sub-boards, metering and protective devices: distribution is the heart of the installation. Domestic consumer units need a non-combustible enclosure, and since Amendment 2 surge protection is the default position for dwellings — both of which take up ways you have to plan for.
Consumer unit
The board holding the main switch, the protective devices and any surge protection. Every final circuit originates here.
UK · Domestic consumer units must be in a non-combustible enclosure, in practice metal. Mount it where the main switch is reachable — commonly around 1350 to 1450 mm to the top of the enclosure — and leave spare ways.
Tip · Leave 30 % spare capacity on each row — without it, adding a circuit later forces a full panel replacement.
Data cabinet / patch position
Central position where structured cabling terminates — patch panel, switch, router.
UK · Not a regulatory requirement, but everything works better with one: put it where the incoming broadband lands, and plan a socket outlet and ventilation for the equipment.
Tip · Pick a 2-row cabinet minimum: between the router, switch, fiber ONT, and a future NAS, a 1-row cabinet is full on move-in day.
Sub-board
Secondary board serving a garage, outbuilding, extension or loft conversion.
UK · Fed by a circuit sized for the load and protected at its origin. A board in a detached outbuilding needs its own main switch so it can be isolated locally.
Tip · Worth it as soon as the served area is more than 15-20 m from the main panel or has more than 4 circuits.
Smart meter
The supplier\u2019s meter and its in-home display.
UK · The meter belongs to the supplier and is not part of the installation you design, but its position determines the meter tails route and therefore where the consumer unit can reasonably go.
Tip · Leave a route between the meter position and the consumer unit for control cabling. Load management for an EV charger needs a CT clamp on the incoming tails.
Service head and cut-out
Where the supply enters the property: service head, cut-out fuse and meter tails.
UK · The cut-out fuse belongs to the network operator and must not be worked on by the installer. Isolation for the installation is the main switch in the consumer unit, which is why its position and accessibility matter.
Surge protective device (SPD)
Device limiting transient overvoltages, fitted in the consumer unit and taking up ways.
UK · Since Amendment 2, protection against transient overvoltage is the default position for dwellings unless a documented risk assessment concludes otherwise. Allow for the ways it occupies when sizing the board.
Tip · Given the cost of electronics in a modern home (heat pump, HRV, smart home), the surge protector is the cheapest insurance in the panel.
Off-peak contactor
Contactor switching a load such as a cylinder or storage heaters onto an off-peak period.
Tip · I-AUTO-0 positions: leave it on AUTO. Position I (forced on) is only for an occasional daytime reheat.
Meter and board position
The technical position grouping the meter, the consumer unit and the data cabinet.
Tip · Grouping them keeps the tails short and the documentation in one place. Leave clear access in front of it: it is the one part of the installation people need to reach in a hurry.
Data & communications
Nothing in the wiring regulations requires structured cabling, but it is far cheaper to pull at first fix than to retrofit. Plan an outlet per TV position, per desk and per wireless access point, all terminating at one patch position near where the broadband lands.
Data outlet (RJ45)
Structured cabling outlet for wired networking, back to a central patch position.
UK · Nothing in the wiring regulations requires data outlets, but running Cat 6 at first fix costs a fraction of retrofitting it. Plan one per TV position, per desk and per wireless access point.
Tip · Pull 2 RJ45s to each TV/desk location: one for the device, one for a future box (NAS, console, Wi-Fi AP).
TV aerial outlet
Coaxial outlet for terrestrial television.
Tip · In new builds, plan a TV outlet in every room where a TV could go: even if you don't pull the coax immediately, lay an empty conduit for later.
Satellite outlet
Coaxial outlet for a satellite feed, often paired with the TV aerial outlet.
Router / patch panel
Broadband router and network switch position, usually inside or beside the data cabinet.
Tip · Plan at least two socket outlets here — router plus switch — and make sure the enclosure is ventilated. Network kit runs warm and throttles in a sealed cupboard.
Optical network terminal (ONT)
Where a full-fibre service terminates inside the property. The router connects to it.
Tip · Fix its position early with the network provider. Moving it afterwards usually means a new fibre pull, not a patch lead.
Wireless access point
Ceiling or wall access point fed by structured cabling, typically powered over Ethernet.
Tip · One ceiling PoE access point at the center of each floor beats three repeaters: pull RJ45 runs to the ceilings at the planning stage.
Heating & cooling
Heating and cooling units typically require a dedicated circuit from the panel, with cable size and breaker rating matched to the load.
Electric heater
Fixed electric heater — panel, storage or fan type.
UK · Fixed heating is supplied from its own circuit or a fused spur rather than a general socket outlet, sized on the rated load and the cable route.
Convector heater
Fixed convector, supplied and controlled like any other fixed electric heater.
Underfloor heating
Electric underfloor heating mat or cable, with its thermostat and floor sensor.
UK · Requires 30 mA RCD protection. Mark the thermostat and the floor sensor position on the plan — the sensor has to be placed between heating runs, not over them.
Heated towel rail
Electric or dual-fuel towel rail in a bathroom or shower room.
UK · Its position relative to the bathroom zones dictates the IP rating and whether a switch may be local. Supply it through a fused spur outside the zones, with 30 mA RCD protection.
Heat pump (outdoor unit)
External unit of an air source heat pump, with its supply, isolator and control cabling.
UK · A dedicated circuit with a local means of isolation next to the unit. Position matters for noise and for permitted development limits, so agree it before first fix.
Tip · Plan 1 m of clear space in front of the unit for maintenance. 35-45 dB noise — ideally 3 m from neighbors.
Air conditioning (indoor unit)
Indoor unit of a split system, with its supply and the interconnect to the outdoor unit.
Ventilation
Ventilation of wet rooms is governed by Approved Document F rather than by the wiring regulations. On the plan, distinguish the central unit from the extract terminals in each wet room and the background ventilation in the dry rooms.
Mechanical extract ventilation (MEV) unit
Central continuous extract fan serving the wet rooms, with ducting to each extract terminal.
UK · Continuous ventilation is a Part F matter, not BS 7671. Supply it from its own way with no readily accessible switch that would let it be turned off, and note the boost control position on the plan.
Tip · Hang the unit from anti-vibration straps rather than resting it on the attic floor — it halves transmitted noise.
MVHR unit (heat recovery ventilation)
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery: balanced supply and extract through a heat exchanger.
UK · Needs its own circuit and a condensate drain, and the ducts must be insulated wherever they run outside the insulated envelope. Commissioning data belongs with the handover pack.
Tip · Place the unit as close to the center of the duct network as possible: every meter of duct saved means more efficiency and less noise.
Humidity-controlled extract unit
Extract ventilation modulating its rate with the humidity in each wet room.
UK · Ventilation rates are a Part F matter. Whichever system is chosen, the commissioned airflow figures belong in the handover pack.
Tip · Humidity-sensing terminals can usually be swapped without touching the central unit, so an existing extract system can be upgraded room by room.
Extract terminal
Wet-room terminal where the ventilation system draws air out.
Tip · In the kitchen, keep the grille away from the cooktop: it would suck in grease and foul the ducts — that's the hood's job, not the VMC's.
Trickle vent / air inlet
Background ventilation opening in a dry room, letting replacement air in.
UK · Needed with an extract-only system so there is a path for replacement air; not used with a balanced heat recovery system, which supplies its own.
Tip · Order windows with the inlet slots factory-machined — drilling them after installation is a nightmare.
Extractor fan
Individual room extract fan in a bathroom, WC or kitchen.
UK · An individual fan meets Part F for that room, but it is not whole-house ventilation. Where it serves a bathroom, its position relative to the zones sets the IP rating.
Tip · Choose a model with backdraft damper and run-on timer: triggered with the light, it keeps running 5-10 minutes after switch-off.
Safety & access control
Interlinked mains smoke alarms follow BS 5839-6 and Approved Document B — typically the hall and each landing, with a heat alarm in the kitchen. Alarms, CCTV and door entry are optional, but planning them now avoids chasing finished walls later.
Smoke alarm
Mains-powered smoke alarm with battery backup, interlinked with the others in the dwelling.
UK · Domestic alarms follow BS 5839-6 and Approved Document B: typically interlinked mains alarms in the hall and on each landing, with a heat alarm in the kitchen. Scotland requires interlinked alarms in every home, including existing ones.
Carbon monoxide alarm
CO alarm, required where there is a fixed combustion appliance.
Tip · Place it in the same room as the appliance, at the height the manufacturer specifies. A CO alarm is not a substitute for a smoke alarm.
Motion detector
PIR detector for security or automatic lighting.
Tip · Pair with LED lighting: instant on, adjustable duration. Avoid IR-only sensors indoors — they miss slow movements.
CCTV camera
Surveillance camera position, with its cable route back to the recorder or PoE switch.
Tip · Note the connection type on the plan: PoE (single RJ45 for power + video) or separate 12V supply.
Alarm panel / sounder
Intruder alarm panel or external sounder, with its supply and detector cabling.
Emergency light
Self-contained emergency luminaire with an integral battery.
UK · Not required in a single dwelling, but genuinely useful in a windowless basement, a long internal corridor or a cellar with plant in it.
Door entry / video intercom
Indoor station of a door entry system, with the cable route to the entrance panel.
Tip · Prefer a Wi-Fi-connected video doorbell — lets you answer from your phone when you're not home.
Video doorbell
Doorbell with a camera, wired or battery, with its chime and supply.
Tip · Plan wired power on the drawing (2 × 0.75 mm² low-voltage or per model): no more bimonthly battery charging.
Door entry panel
Entrance panel of a door entry system, with the cable route to the indoor station.
Tip · Pull the containment between the panel and the indoor station at first fix, sized for the technology you may end up with, not only the one you have chosen today.
Motorized access & openings
Motorized shutters, gates, and garage doors each need a dedicated supply and a control point. Planning them on the drawing avoids surface conduits and makeshift extensions.
Motorised roller shutter
Motorised shutter or blind, with its supply and control point.
Tip · Plan centralized wiring (one control point per floor) if you may add smart home control later. Best: radio motor compatible with KNX, Somfy io, or Zigbee.
Gate motor
Motorised gate operator with its supply, safety devices and controls.
UK · Powered gates are covered by BS EN 12453 and the Machinery Regulations: force limitation or photocells, and a risk assessment. A buried supply needs armoured cable or a duct at a suitable depth.
Tip · Bury three conduits to the gate during construction: power, intercom, and one spare. That's €50 of conduit versus re-digging a trench.
Garage door motor
Motorised garage door operator, with a socket or fused spur at ceiling level.
Tip · Add a wired control by the service door in addition to the remote: batteries have a knack for dying on rainy days.
Smart home
Smart home elements enable centralized control of heating, blinds, and lighting. They typically require a wired bus (KNX), a wireless module (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter), or a micromodule behind existing switchgear.
Thermostat
Room thermostat or programmer controlling heating.
Tip · Keep it away from direct sun, draughts and heat sources, or it will control the room to the wrong temperature all year.
Smart home module
Relay module behind an accessory, or a bus device, bringing a circuit under smart control.
Tip · Choose a long-lasting protocol: KNX (pro wired), Z-Wave / Zigbee (wireless, open) or Matter (2025+ standard).
Energy & production
Solar generation, storage, and EV charging transform home energy use. These systems require dedicated circuits, protections suited to their electronics, and sometimes a grid-operator procedure.
EV charge point
Wall-mounted or pedestal charge point beside the parking position, with its dedicated supply.
UK · BS 7671 Section 722 applies: a dedicated final circuit, 30 mA RCD protection with 6 mA DC fault detection, and protection against an open PEN conductor on a PME supply — either an earth electrode or a charger with built-in detection. Installing the circuit is notifiable under Part P.
Tip · The generator’s suggested cable size must still be confirmed against route length, voltage drop, installation method, and charger instructions.
EV charging socket (slow charge)
A weatherproof socket dedicated to slow charging, modelled at up to 3.7 kW in Planelico. Suitable for a plug-in hybrid or a low-mileage car parked overnight.
UK · Even a slow charging point is covered by BS 7671 Section 722: a dedicated final circuit, 30 mA RCD protection with DC fault detection, and open-PEN protection on a PME supply. A standard 13 A socket is not a charging point and should not be used as one.
Tip · Actual charging power depends on both the socket and the portable cable. Check the ratings of both before assuming an overnight charge will complete.
Solar PV array
Photovoltaic modules on the roof or ground. On the electrical plan, show the array, the DC route and the isolation and protection enclosures.
UK · Isolation is required on both the DC and the AC side. Connecting generation to the network is notified to the distribution network operator under G98, or applied for under G99 above the G98 threshold.
Tip · For self-consumption, size the array against your daytime load rather than the available roof area — exported units are worth far less than the ones you use.
Solar inverter
Inverter converting the array\u2019s DC output to AC, with its isolators and generation meter.
Tip · Alternative: micro-inverters under each panel — pricier, but per-panel optimization and no single point of failure.
Home battery
Battery storage unit with its inverter and isolation.
Tip · Position matters more than people expect: weight, ventilation, temperature range and access for maintenance all constrain where it can go.
Water & technical equipment
Cylinders, pumps and pool plant appear on the plan for their supplies: dedicated circuits, 30 mA RCD protection, local isolation, and the bonding that applies in wet areas.
Hot water cylinder / immersion heater
Supply for a stored hot water cylinder and its immersion heater.
UK · Normally a dedicated 16 A circuit on 2.5 mm² with a local double-pole switch for isolation. Where an off-peak tariff is used, the timing arrangement belongs on the plan too.
Heat pump water cylinder
Hot water cylinder with an integral heat pump, plus its immersion backup.
UK · A dedicated circuit, and a room with enough air volume for an ambient-air unit or ducting to outside. The condensate drain has to be planned with it.
Tip · The ambient-air version cools the room it sits in: perfect in a pantry or garage, avoid next to a living room.
Lift pump
Pump lifting waste water where gravity drainage is not possible.
UK · Dedicated circuit with 30 mA RCD protection. On anything critical, plan a high-level alarm and decide now where its indicator goes.
Tip · Add a power-failure detector or connected alarm: a failed lift pump is always discovered too late.
Pool filtration pump
Filtration pump and its supply, in the plant room or pool house.
UK · BS 7671 Section 702 covers swimming pools and sets out the zones around the basin. Underwater lighting is SELV, with the safety source outside the zones.
Tip · Filtration rule of thumb: water temperature ÷ 2 = filtration hours per day. Size the clock and contactor accordingly.
Outdoor
Outdoor equipment needs an IP rating suited to its exposure and 30 mA RCD protection. Buried supplies need armoured cable or a duct at a suitable depth, with the route marked on the plan.
Outdoor socket outlet
Weatherproof socket on an external wall, in a garage or in a garden room.
UK · Choose the IP rating for the exposure and protect the circuit with a 30 mA RCD. Mount it clear of the ground so run-off and splash cannot sit against the enclosure.
Outdoor light
External wall light, floodlight or soffit light, with its switching or PIR control.
Tip · Use a motion + dusk sensor for outdoor lights: efficient and useful.
Garden bollard light
Low-level garden light on a buried supply.
UK · A buried cable needs mechanical protection appropriate to the route — armoured cable or a duct at a sensible depth — and the circuit needs 30 mA RCD protection.
Tip · Wire bollards in parallel on a dedicated external lighting circuit with the switch indoors, and run the supply in armoured cable or a duct along a route you mark on the plan.
Using these symbols in Planelico
Planelico includes 370+ symbols in a drag-and-drop library. To annotate your electrical plan:
- Import your PDF plan (architect drawing or estate plan)
- Browse the library in the left panel, grouped by category
- Drag each symbol to its exact location on the plan
- Add notes on each element (circuit, reference, remark)
- Draw connections between switches and light points
- Export the annotated plan as a PDF with auto-generated legend
FAQ — Electrical symbols
What is the floor outlet / floor box symbol?
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How do I show wiring connections between switches and lights?
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