If there is one system in a house that shouldn’t be skimped on, it’s the electrical. Like the plumbing in a house, the electrical system is taken for granted until something goes wrong with it or there’s not enough to go around. To properly understand your prints and drawings, familiarize yourself with the symbols in the table below.

Table of the Basic Electrical Symbols

1. Is a duplex wall outlet. This supplies your power to lamps, vacuum cleaners, and other household devices and appliances.

2. S Means a single-pole switch. This provides on and off control to outlets  from one position

3. S2 Signifies a double-pole switch. This provides on and off control from two locations. For example, it lets you turn off lights from either of two entrances to a room.

4. S3 Is a three-way switch.

5. S4 Is a four-way switch.

6.  Is a pull-switch in the ceiling.

7. SCB Is a circuit breaker.

8. Means a weatherproof outlet.

9.  Denotes a ceiling light fixture.

10.  Is a television antenna outlet.