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Electrical \u00b7 Australia

Electrical Symbols — Australia (AS/NZS 3000)

Australian electrical installations follow AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules), which references IEC 60617 symbols. These appear on Certificates of Compliance, test sheets, and installation drawings. Note that Australian terminology differs in places — for example, socket outlets are called General Purpose Outlets (GPOs).

AS/NZS 3000:2018 / IEC 6061723 symbols

Switches

One-Way Switch

Single pole, one-way light switch

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Two-Way Switch

Single pole, two-way light switch for stairways and corridors

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Intermediate Switch

Used with two two-way switches for three or more switching positions

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Dimmer Switch

Variable brightness control switch

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Pull Cord Switch

Ceiling-mounted switch operated by a pull cord, commonly used in bathrooms

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Socket Outlets

Single GPO (General Purpose Outlet)

Single 10A general purpose outlet

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Double GPO

Twin 10A general purpose outlet

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Switched GPO

General purpose outlet with integral switch

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Fused Connection Unit

Fused spur outlet for permanently connected appliances

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Lighting

Ceiling Light Point

General luminaire / ceiling light outlet point

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Wall Light

Wall-mounted luminaire point

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Fluorescent Luminaire

Strip/fluorescent light fitting

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Emergency Luminaire

Emergency lighting point (maintained or non-maintained)

BS 5266 / IEC 60617

Downlight / Spotlight

Recessed ceiling downlight or spotlight

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Distribution

Switchboard

Main distribution switchboard

BS 7671

RCD (Residual Current Device)

Earth leakage protection device (30mA typical for domestic)

BS 7671 / BS EN 61008

MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)

Overcurrent protection device

BS 7671 / BS EN 60898

Wiring

Junction Box

Cable junction or connection point

BS 7671

Earth / Ground

Protective earth connection point

IEC 60617

Safety Devices

Smoke Detector

Mains-wired smoke alarm point

BS 5839-6

Heat Detector

Mains-wired heat alarm point

BS 5839-6

CO Detector

Carbon monoxide alarm point

BS EN 50291

Extractor Fan

Mechanical ventilation extract point

BS 7671

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Frequently asked questions about electrical symbols

Are Australian electrical symbols different from UK/European ones?
The symbols themselves are based on the same IEC 60617 standard, so the shapes are the same. The main differences are in terminology (GPO instead of socket outlet, switchboard instead of consumer unit) and in the specific wiring rules.
What is AS/NZS 3000?
AS/NZS 3000 is the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules. It sets the minimum requirements for electrical installations and references IEC standards for drawing symbols.

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