3~
Three-phase conductor group
A conductor group represents the documented phase conductors of a circuit shown individually.
SLD / Schematic
Symbols · n
Conductor count by numeral
A single oblique stroke across a line with a number beside it, stating how many conductors the single line represents.
In plain English
What does Conductor count by numeral mean?
Where a single line stands for several conductors, the count can be shown by one oblique stroke plus a numeral rather than by repeating strokes. This is the practical form for larger counts, such as a 12 core control cable or a 4 conductor feeder, where drawing many strokes would be cluttered.
A simple example
The numeral counts conductors, not circuits or phases. A value of 4 might be three phases and neutral, or four control cores, and the drawing must say which. It also does not state conductor size. On plan drawings the count is often combined with a size, for example 4 x 16 mm2, which belongs in the annotation rather than the stroke.
What the drawings help you do
Confirm what conductors are included in the count, for example phases, neutral and PE. Read the size annotation separately from the count. A numeral count gives any number of conductors on one stroke; the three-phase conductor group uses three strokes specifically for three conductors.
This particular reference
A single oblique stroke across a line with a number beside it, stating how many conductors the single line represents. A numeral count gives any number of conductors on one stroke; the three-phase conductor group uses three strokes specifically for three conductors.
- Phase
- One of the related AC waveforms in a power system.
- Schematic
- A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.
Read the source: IEC-60617 symbol preview directory · IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
SLD / Schematic · n
What it represents
Where a single line stands for several conductors, the count can be shown by one oblique stroke plus a numeral rather than by repeating strokes. This is the practical form for larger counts, such as a 12 core control cable or a 4 conductor feeder, where drawing many strokes would be cluttered.
The numeral counts conductors, not circuits or phases. A value of 4 might be three phases and neutral, or four control cores, and the drawing must say which. It also does not state conductor size. On plan drawings the count is often combined with a size, for example 4 x 16 mm2, which belongs in the annotation rather than the stroke.
How to read it
- Confirm what conductors are included in the count, for example phases, neutral and PE.
- Read the size annotation separately from the count.
Information to show or reference
- Place the numeral next to the stroke, not on another line.
- Say what the conductors are where it is not obvious.
- Keep conductor size in the cable annotation.
A distinction that matters
A numeral count gives any number of conductors on one stroke; the three-phase conductor group uses three strokes specifically for three conductors.
Sources you can follow
These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.
IEC-60617 symbol preview directory
Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams
Standards context for conductor-count conventions in IEEE graphics.
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.
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