# Telephone outlet plan symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-telephone-outlet
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: TO
Drawing use: GA
Reference families: IEC

## Symbol convention

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

Plan symbol for a telephone outlet where a voice service is terminated for a handset or device.

## In plain English

### What does Telephone outlet plan mean?

Telephone outlets are drawn as a triangle or outlet shape tagged T or TP. In modern buildings, voice is usually carried on structured cabling, so the telephone outlet may simply be a data outlet assigned to voice, but legends still keep a separate mark for analogue lines, lift phones and alarm diallers.

### A simple example

Analogue lines remain common for lifts, emergency phones and some alarm communicators. The plan symbol tells the installer that a dedicated voice pair must reach this point. The symbol does not show whether the line is analogue, digital or VoIP.

### What the drawings help you do

Check whether a dedicated analogue line is required. Match to the voice cabling schedule. A telephone set symbol represents the handset itself; the outlet is the wall termination.

### This particular reference

Plan symbol for a telephone outlet where a voice service is terminated for a handset or device. A telephone set symbol represents the handset itself; the outlet is the wall termination.

### 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.

- [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

Telephone outlets are drawn as a triangle or outlet shape tagged T or TP. In modern buildings, voice is usually carried on structured cabling, so the telephone outlet may simply be a data outlet assigned to voice, but legends still keep a separate mark for analogue lines, lift phones and alarm diallers.
Analogue lines remain common for lifts, emergency phones and some alarm communicators. The plan symbol tells the installer that a dedicated voice pair must reach this point. The symbol does not show whether the line is analogue, digital or VoIP.

## How to read it

- Check whether a dedicated analogue line is required.
- Match to the voice cabling schedule.

## Information to show or reference

- State line type.
- Tag outlet ID.
- Identify service provider demarcation.

## Important distinction

A telephone set symbol represents the handset itself; the outlet is the wall termination.

## Facts

- Service: Voice line termination
- Common dedicated uses: Lifts, emergency phones, alarm diallers
- 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.