# Door contact plan symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-door-contact-plan-symbol
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: DC
Drawing use: GA
Reference families: IEC

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEC
Form: Door contact
IEC 60617 installation-plan style (architectural and topographical installation symbols); independently drawn, not certified IEC geometry or a database identifier.

Security plan symbol for a magnetic contact that signals whether a door or window is open.

## In plain English

### What does Door contact plan mean?

Magnetic door contacts use a reed switch on the frame and a magnet on the door. Security plans draw a small pair of rectangles or a contact mark at the door head, tagged DC, with the zone number.

### A simple example

Door contacts are used both for intruder alarm and for access control door monitoring, where they detect forced or held-open doors. The plan should state which system or both. The symbol does not tell you whether the contact is surface or flush, or high-security balanced type.

### What the drawings help you do

Check which system receives the signal. Check surface or flush type in schedule. A limit switch in machine control detects mechanical position; a door contact is a security monitoring device.

### This particular reference

Security plan symbol for a magnetic contact that signals whether a door or window is open. A limit switch in machine control detects mechanical position; a door contact is a security monitoring device.

### Terms

- DC: Direct current: electricity flowing in one direction.
- Normally open / normally closed: The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing.
- 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 graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/)
- [Electrical installation design methodology and references](https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/General_rules_of_electrical_installation_design)


## What it represents

Magnetic door contacts use a reed switch on the frame and a magnet on the door. Security plans draw a small pair of rectangles or a contact mark at the door head, tagged DC, with the zone number.
Door contacts are used both for intruder alarm and for access control door monitoring, where they detect forced or held-open doors. The plan should state which system or both. The symbol does not tell you whether the contact is surface or flush, or high-security balanced type.

## How to read it

- Check which system receives the signal.
- Check surface or flush type in schedule.

## Information to show or reference

- Tag zone or door number.
- State contact type.
- Coordinate with door hardware.

## Important distinction

A limit switch in machine control detects mechanical position; a door contact is a security monitoring device.

## Facts

- Operating principle: Reed switch and magnet
- Systems: Intruder alarm and access control
- Exact standard graphic: Not reproduced here; confirm the form against IEC 60617 and the project legend

## Public references

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/) — IEC. IEC graphical symbol context for installation and communication plans; independently drawn here.
- [Electrical installation design methodology and references](https://www.electrical-installation.org/enwiki/General_rules_of_electrical_installation_design) — Schneider Electric — Electrical Installation Guide. Installation design context for coordinating low-current systems with power and lighting.

## 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.