Electrical Planning

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Electrical Planning 5
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Developing and Drawing Electrical Plans
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Developing and Drawing Electrical Plans

• Wiring methods are regulated by building codes
• And wiring is approved and installed by licensed
  electricians
• However, wiring plans are prepared by designers

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Developing and Drawing Electrical Plans

• For large structures
• a consulting electrical contractor may prepare
  the final detailed electrical plans

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Developing and Drawing Electrical Plans

• Electrical plans include data on the type and
  location of all
• Fixtures
• Devices
• Switches
• and outlets

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Fixture and Device Selection

• Before placing fixture locations on a floor plan
• the number and type of fixtures needed for each
  room
• should be determined and listed

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Fixture and Device Selection

• In addition to lighting fixtures
• all electrical or electronic devices should also
  be listed
• This list becomes the basis for developing an
  electrical fixture and device schedule

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Switches

• The number, type, and location of switches
  depends on the fixtures and devices
• Switches control the flow of electricity to
  outlets and to individual devices

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Types of Switches

• Small-appliance circuits and individual circuits
  are usually "hot,"
• meaning that electricity is available in the
  outlet at all times
• Lighting circuits, however, may be  either hot or
  controlled by switches

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Types of Switches

• Single-pole switches control one fixture, device
  or outlet
• To control lights from two different switches a
  three-way switching circuit (three wires and two
  switches) is used

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Types of Switches

• A three-way switching circuit is often installed
  for the top and bottom of stairways
• Many types of switch mechanisms are used to
  control circuits

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Switch Locations

• Switch symbols are located on floor plans
• Connections to the outlet, fixture, or device
  each controls are shown with a dotted line

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Guidelines for Switch Locations

• Include a switch for all structural fixtures and
  devices that need to be turned on or off
• Indicate the height of all switches (usually 4'
  above floor level)
• Locate switches on the latch side of doors, no
  closer that 2 1/2" from the casing

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Guidelines for Switch Locations

• Exceptions to the standard should be dimensioned
  on the plan or elevation drawing
• Select the type of switch, switch mechanism,
  switch plate cover, and type of finish for each
  switch
• Plan a switch to control at least one light in
  each room

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Guidelines for Switch Locations

• Use three-way switches to control lights at the
  ends of stairwells, halls, and garages
• Locate garage door-closer switches at the house
  entry and within reach inside the garage door
• Control bedroom lights with a three-way switch at
  the entry and at the bed

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Guidelines for Switch Locations

• Use time switches for garage general lighting,
  bathroom exhaust fans, and heat lights
• Use three-way switches for all large rooms that
  have two exits. Use four-way switches for rooms
  with more than two exits
• Use automatic switches on closet and storage
  areas
• Specify timer switches for pool motors

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Guidelines for Switch Locations

• Locate safety alarm switches for a security
  system in the master control unit and in the
  master bedroom
• Switches for outdoor security lighting (motion
  detector lights) should be installed on all
  levels
• Locate switches in all rooms to ensure that a
  person need not enter or leave a room in the dark

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Electrical Outlets and Receptacles

• The terms outlet and receptacle are often used
  interchangeably
• The NEC defines an outlet as a point in a circuit
  where other devices can be connected
• A receptacle is a device (at an outlet box) to
  which any plug-in extension line, appliance, or
  device can be connected

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Types of Outlets and Receptacles

• Different types of electrical receptacles and
  outlets
• Serve different functions
• Convenience receptacles
• Lighting outlets
• Special-purpose receptacles

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Convenience Receptacles

• Convenience receptacles are used for small
  appliances and lamps
• These are available in single, double, or
  multiple-units

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Lighting Outlets

• Lighting outlets are for the connection of
• Lampholders
• surface-mounted fixtures
• flush or recessed fixtures
• and all other types of lighting fixtures

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Remember

• Special purpose outlets and convenience outlets
  are connected to hot circuits
• While lighting outlets are controlled with a
  switching device

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Remember

• Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are
  installed in all outlets and switches located
  near water sources

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Outlet Locations

• The positioning of outlets must be consistent
  with local codes
• In addition to code requirements
• the following guidelines shown on the next slides
  
• should be used for locating outlets

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• Outlets (except in the kitchen) should average
  one every 6' (1.8m) of wall space
• Kitchen appliance outlets should average one
  every 4' of wall space, be located over
  countertops, and include at least on countertop
  outlet between major appliances
• Hall outlets should be placed every 15'

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• An outlet should be placed no further than 6'
  from each room corner, unless a door or built-in
  feature occupies this space
• GFCI outlets should be placed as described
  earlier in this chapter
• One switched (not hot) outlet should be provided
  in each room

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• Consider furniture placement and positioning of
  portable lamps when placing lighting outlets.
  Room-centered furniture may need floor outlets
• An outlet should be placed on any wall between
  doors regardless of space

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• The height of all outlets should be noted on the
  electrical plan
• Exceptions to standard dimensions should be noted
  at each outlet or referenced on an interior wall
  elevation
• Normal code height for wall outlets is 12" to 18"
  from the floor
• Countertop heights are normally 4'-0" above the
  floor line

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• All individual outlets should be labeled with the
  appliance or device served
• At least one outlet should be placed above each
  bathroom countertop or vanity table
• A minimum of two outlets should be in each
  bathroom
• Provide an outlet for each fixture, device, or
  appliance in the plan

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Outlet Location Guidelines

• An outdoor weatherproof outlet should be provided
  on each side of a house
• Position a waterproof outlet for a patio, pool,
  and a grill
• Position outside outlets for decorative lighting
  and entry doors, garage, and security lights