L
Luminaire general plan symbol
General installation plan symbol for a luminaire or lighting point, drawn as a crossed circle at the ceiling position.
IEC
IEEE / ANSI · LO
ANSI ceiling lighting outlet plan symbol
US plan symbol for a ceiling lighting outlet: a plain circle at the fixture position, tagged with the fixture type.
In plain English
What does ANSI ceiling lighting outlet plan mean?
In US lighting plans a ceiling lighting outlet or surface fixture is drawn as a circle, often with a letter inside or beside it keyed to the fixture schedule. Lowercase letters link fixtures to the switches that control them.
A simple example
Rectangular fixtures are drawn to scale as rectangles instead, so the circle typically means a round fixture or a generic outlet box. Emergency fixtures are often shown half filled. The circle does not show mounting type, which comes from the schedule.
What the drawings help you do
Read the fixture letter and switch letter. Check for half-filled circles for emergency fixtures. The IEC luminaire symbol is a crossed circle; the US outlet symbol is a plain circle.
This particular reference
US plan symbol for a ceiling lighting outlet: a plain circle at the fixture position, tagged with the fixture type. The IEC luminaire symbol is a crossed circle; the US outlet symbol is a plain circle.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
IEEE / ANSI · Ceiling lighting outlet
US architectural electrical plan practice in the ANSI Y32.9 lineage, read alongside IEEE 315 context; independently drawn, not a certified IEEE or ANSI graphic.
Shown as an independently authored educational illustration. Use the cited publication and drawing legend to verify the required drafting form.
GA · LO
What it represents
In US lighting plans a ceiling lighting outlet or surface fixture is drawn as a circle, often with a letter inside or beside it keyed to the fixture schedule. Lowercase letters link fixtures to the switches that control them.
Rectangular fixtures are drawn to scale as rectangles instead, so the circle typically means a round fixture or a generic outlet box. Emergency fixtures are often shown half filled. The circle does not show mounting type, which comes from the schedule.
How to read it
- Read the fixture letter and switch letter.
- Check for half-filled circles for emergency fixtures.
Information to show or reference
- Key fixtures to the schedule.
- Key switches with lowercase letters.
- Mark emergency fixtures.
A distinction that matters
The IEC luminaire symbol is a crossed circle; the US outlet symbol is a plain circle.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork.
About this graphic
This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.
SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.
Explore related references
LOW
ANSI wall lighting outlet plan symbol
US plan symbol for a wall lighting outlet, a circle attached to the wall line by a short stem.
IEEE / ANSI
S
ANSI single-pole switch plan symbol
US-style plan symbol for a single-pole wall switch: the letter S at the switch position with a switch leg to the lights.
IEEE / ANSI
Put the reference into a drawing workflow.
Elora Grid helps electrical teams work with drawings, specifications and equipment information. Explore the drafting workflow or join the early-access waitlist.