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Electrical · UK

Electrical Wiring Symbols - UK (BS 7671)

These symbols are used on electrical installation drawings and certificates in the UK, based on BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and IEC 60617. Every electrician working to the 18th Edition should recognise these symbols when reading or producing installation drawings, schedules of circuits, and test certificates.

This chart has 23 electrical symbols used in the UK, 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 (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 / IEC 60617).

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BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 / IEC 6061723 symbols
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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 Socket Outlet

Single 13A socket outlet (BS 1363)

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

Double Socket Outlet

Twin 13A socket outlet (BS 1363)

BS 7671 / IEC 60617

SW

Switched Socket Outlet

Socket 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

Consumer Unit

Main distribution board / consumer unit

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 Wiring Symbols - UK (BS 7671): 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 Socket OutletSingle 13A socket outlet (BS 1363)Socket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Double Socket OutletTwin 13A socket outlet (BS 1363)Socket OutletsBS 7671 / IEC 60617
Switched Socket OutletSocket 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
Consumer UnitMain distribution board / consumer unitDistributionBS 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

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Frequently asked questions about electrical symbols

Where are these symbols defined?
UK electrical symbols follow IEC 60617 (graphical symbols for diagrams) as referenced by BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations. The 18th Edition uses the same IEC symbol set used across Europe.
Are these symbols the same across all of the UK?
Yes. BS 7671 applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The same symbol set is used on EICs, EICRs, and installation drawings throughout the UK.
Do I need to memorise all these symbols?
Electricians working on installations should be familiar with the most common symbols (switches, sockets, lighting points, distribution). The full set is useful when reading architect or M&E consultant drawings.
What is the difference between a one-way and two-way switch symbol?
A one-way switch symbol shows a single contact arm. A two-way switch adds a "2" label, indicating two switching positions. Intermediate switches show two contact arms crossing.

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Symbols based on BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 / IEC 60617. This is a reference guide only. Always consult the full standard for official symbol definitions.