# Conductor count by numeral

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/conductor-count-numeral
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: n
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC, IEEE / ANSI

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.

### Terms

- Phase: One of the related AC waveforms in a power system.
- 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.

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm)
- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/)


## 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.

## Important distinction

A numeral count gives any number of conductors on one stroke; the three-phase conductor group uses three strokes specifically for three conductors.

## Facts

- Graphic cue: One oblique stroke across the line with a number beside it
- Counts: Conductors, not circuits
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm) — Autodesk. Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/) — IEEE Standards Association. Standards context for conductor-count conventions in IEEE graphics.

## 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.