{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"power-distribution-block","name":"Power distribution block","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"X","aliases":["distribution block","power splitter block","multi-tap distribution block"],"category":"connections-wiring","drawingTypes":["Schematic","GA"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","Manufacturer"],"summary":"A terminal assembly that splits one incoming conductor into several outgoing conductors on a common bar.","description":["A power distribution block takes one large incoming conductor and distributes it to several smaller outgoing conductors on a shared conducting bar, saving space compared with stacking lugs on one terminal. It is used in control panels to distribute supply to several circuit breakers or loads.","The symbol shows the shared node and terminal count but not the short-circuit current rating, which varies widely between products and must suit the available fault current. Outgoing conductors connected to a distribution block usually need upstream protection sized for the smallest outgoing conductor unless tap rules allow otherwise."],"readingNotes":["Check the block's short-circuit current rating against the panel rating.","Confirm outgoing conductor protection."],"drawingChecklist":["State block current and short-circuit rating.","Number incoming and outgoing terminals.","Confirm conductor protection downstream."],"distinction":"A power distribution block is one node with many terminals; a multi-conductor terminal block is a single terminal accepting several wires.","facts":[{"label":"Graphic cue","value":"Bar with one incoming and several outgoing terminal points"},{"label":"Public publisher forms","value":"3 terminal blocks at 10, 15 and 20 unit spacing (vendor drafting variants)"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"s28-autodesk-power-distribution-blocks","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented preview page listing power distribution block forms."},{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-terminal-families","relevance":"Manufacturer terminal block functional families."}],"related":["multi-conductor-terminal-block","high-current-terminal-block","terminal-jumper-bridge"],"artwork":"s28-power-distribution-block","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","symbolVariant":{"convention":"IEC","form":"Power distribution block, 3 terminal","reference":"Autodesk IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Power Distribution Blocks; vendor family reference, not certified IEC geometry."},"plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Power distribution block mean?","introduction":"A power distribution block takes one large incoming conductor and distributes it to several smaller outgoing conductors on a shared conducting bar, saving space compared with stacking lugs on one terminal. It is used in control panels to distribute supply to several circuit breakers or loads.","example":"The symbol shows the shared node and terminal count but not the short-circuit current rating, which varies widely between products and must suit the available fault current. Outgoing conductors connected to a distribution block usually need upstream protection sized for the smallest outgoing conductor unless tap rules allow otherwise.","drawings":"Check the block's short-circuit current rating against the panel rating. Confirm outgoing conductor protection. A power distribution block is one node with many terminals; a multi-conductor terminal block is a single terminal accepting several wires.","terms":[{"name":"Terminal","meaning":"An identified point where a conductor connects."},{"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":"IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Power Distribution Blocks","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-137D9B55-BE24-426F-91C0-F5336EF3B358.htm"},{"label":"Terminal block functional families","url":"https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-gb/products/terminal-blocks"}],"detail":"A terminal assembly that splits one incoming conductor into several outgoing conductors on a common bar. A power distribution block is one node with many terminals; a multi-conductor terminal block is a single terminal accepting several wires.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/power-distribution-block","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/power-distribution-block.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"s28-autodesk-power-distribution-blocks","title":"IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Power Distribution Blocks","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-137D9B55-BE24-426F-91C0-F5336EF3B358.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public IEC-oriented library preview listing 3 terminal power distribution block forms at several unit spacings.","checkedOn":"2026-10-28","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public IEC-oriented preview page listing power distribution block forms."},{"id":"pub-symbol-terminal-families","title":"Terminal block functional families","publisher":"Phoenix Contact","url":"https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-gb/products/terminal-blocks","type":"manufacturer","scope":"Public manufacturer explanation of the equipment function and selection context.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Manufacturer terminal block functional families."}]}