CertBox
🇦🇺
Electrical · 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).

This chart has 23 electrical symbols used in Australia, in 6 groups: Switches, Socket Outlets, Lighting, Distribution, Wiring, Safety Devices. Each entry gives the drawing, what it means and the standard it comes from (AS/NZS 3000:2018 / IEC 60617).

Last updated

Certs, quotes, invoices. Fill them in on site.

Get started
AS/NZS 3000:2018 / IEC 6061723 symbols
Share on WhatsApp
SwitchesSocket OutletsLightingDistributionWiringSafety Devices

Switches

One-Way Switch

Single pole, one-way light switch

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

2

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

D

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

SW

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

EM

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

CU

Switchboard

Main distribution switchboard

BS 7671

RCD30mA

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

SD

Smoke Detector

Mains-wired smoke alarm point

BS 5839-6

HD

Heat Detector

Mains-wired heat alarm point

BS 5839-6

CO

CO Detector

Carbon monoxide alarm point

BS EN 50291

Extractor Fan

Mechanical ventilation extract point

BS 7671

All 23 at a glance

Electrical Symbols - Australia (AS/NZS 3000): each symbol, what it means and the standard it comes from
SymbolWhat it meansGroupStandard
One-Way SwitchSingle pole, one-way light switchSwitchesBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Two-Way SwitchSingle pole, two-way light switch for stairways and corridorsSwitchesBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Intermediate SwitchUsed with two two-way switches for three or more switching positionsSwitchesBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Dimmer SwitchVariable brightness control switchSwitchesBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Pull Cord SwitchCeiling-mounted switch operated by a pull cord, commonly used in bathroomsSwitchesBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Single GPO (General Purpose Outlet)Single 10A general purpose outletSocket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Double GPOTwin 10A general purpose outletSocket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Switched GPOGeneral purpose outlet with integral switchSocket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Fused Connection UnitFused spur outlet for permanently connected appliancesSocket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Ceiling Light PointGeneral luminaire / ceiling light outlet pointLightingBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Wall LightWall-mounted luminaire pointLightingBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Fluorescent LuminaireStrip/fluorescent light fittingLightingBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Emergency LuminaireEmergency lighting point (maintained or non-maintained)LightingBS 5266 / IEC 60617
Downlight / SpotlightRecessed ceiling downlight or spotlightLightingBS 7671 / IEC 60617
SwitchboardMain distribution switchboardDistributionBS 7671
RCD (Residual Current Device)Earth leakage protection device (30mA typical for domestic)DistributionBS 7671 / BS EN 61008
MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker)Overcurrent protection deviceDistributionBS 7671 / BS EN 60898
Junction BoxCable junction or connection pointWiringBS 7671
Earth / GroundProtective earth connection pointWiringIEC 60617
Smoke DetectorMains-wired smoke alarm pointSafety DevicesBS 5839-6
Heat DetectorMains-wired heat alarm pointSafety DevicesBS 5839-6
CO DetectorCarbon monoxide alarm pointSafety DevicesBS EN 50291
Extractor FanMechanical ventilation extract pointSafety DevicesBS 7671

Download this chart

Get a free branded PNG image of all 23 symbols. Print it, pin it to your workshop wall, or save it to your phone.

Share on WhatsApp

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.

Related symbol guides

🇬🇧

Electrical Wiring Symbols - UK (BS 7671)

23 symbols · BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 / IEC 60617

More symbol charts

Related certificates on CertBox

Au Certificate Of Compliance Non PrescribedAu Certificate Of Electrical Safety PrescribedAu Periodic Electrical Inspection Certificate

Create electrical certificates on your phone

153 certificate types, filled in on your phone and signed on site. Quotes and invoices too.

Get started free
Symbols based on AS/NZS 3000:2018 / IEC 60617. This is a reference guide only. Always consult the full standard for official symbol definitions.