{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"ansi-single-pole-switch","name":"ANSI single-pole switch plan symbol","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"S","aliases":["S switch symbol","single-pole toggle switch","wall switch S"],"category":"installation-communications","drawingTypes":["GA"],"referenceFamilies":["IEEE / ANSI"],"summary":"US-style plan symbol for a single-pole wall switch: the letter S at the switch position with a switch leg to the lights.","description":["US architectural electrical plans mark a single-pole wall switch with the letter S beside the wall, usually with a short line to the wall. A curved dashed switch leg runs to the controlled lighting outlets, and lowercase letters can tie a switch to specific fixtures.","Subscripts modify the S: S3 for three-way, S4 for four-way, SD for dimmer, SK for key-operated and so on. The plain S therefore means a basic single-pole switch. The S does not say rating, colour or device style, which are specified separately."],"readingNotes":["Check for subscripts that change the type.","Follow switch legs or lowercase letters to the controlled fixtures."],"drawingChecklist":["Draw switch legs or letter keys to fixtures.","Use subscripts for special types.","State mounting height in general notes."],"distinction":"The IEC one-way switch is drawn as a circle with a stroke; the US form is the letter S.","facts":[{"label":"Graphic form","value":"Letter S at the wall"},{"label":"Modifiers","value":"Subscripts such as 3, 4, D, K, P"},{"label":"Artwork scope","value":"Original educational illustration; the exact ANSI or IEEE graphic and compliance are not certified"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"ieee-315","relevance":"Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork."}],"related":["iec-one-way-light-switch","ansi-three-way-switch","ansi-dimmer-switch"],"artwork":"s28-ansi-single-pole-switch","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEEE / ANSI","form":"Single-pole switch, S","reference":"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."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does ANSI single-pole switch plan mean?","introduction":"US architectural electrical plans mark a single-pole wall switch with the letter S beside the wall, usually with a short line to the wall. A curved dashed switch leg runs to the controlled lighting outlets, and lowercase letters can tie a switch to specific fixtures.","example":"Subscripts modify the S: S3 for three-way, S4 for four-way, SD for dimmer, SK for key-operated and so on. The plain S therefore means a basic single-pole switch. The S does not say rating, colour or device style, which are specified separately.","drawings":"Check for subscripts that change the type. Follow switch legs or lowercase letters to the controlled fixtures. The IEC one-way switch is drawn as a circle with a stroke; the US form is the letter S.","terms":[{"name":"Rating","meaning":"A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified."},{"name":"Schematic","meaning":"A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams","url":"https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/"}],"detail":"US-style plan symbol for a single-pole wall switch: the letter S at the switch position with a switch leg to the lights. The IEC one-way switch is drawn as a circle with a stroke; the US form is the letter S.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-single-pole-switch","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/ansi-single-pole-switch.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"ieee-315","title":"IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams","publisher":"IEEE Standards Association","url":"https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/","type":"standard","scope":"Graphic symbols and designation letters. IEEE lists this edition as Inactive-Reserved; it is a historical reference, not a claim of current compliance.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork."}]}