# ANSI ceiling lighting outlet plan symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-ceiling-lighting-outlet
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: LO
Drawing use: GA
Reference families: IEEE / ANSI

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEEE / ANSI
Form: 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.

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.

### Terms

- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/)


## 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.

## Important distinction

The IEC luminaire symbol is a crossed circle; the US outlet symbol is a plain circle.

## Facts

- Graphic form: Plain circle, lettered
- Emergency cue: Half-filled circle in many legends
- Artwork scope: Original educational illustration; the exact ANSI or IEEE graphic and compliance are not certified

## Public references

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/) — IEEE Standards Association. Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.