CHAPTER 1
Diagrams
This is an area often overlooked or even ignored. The IEE Wiring
Regulations require that ‘diagrams, charts, tables or equivalent
forms of information are made available’ to the installer and
inspector and tester.
BS EN 60617 SYMBOLS
BS EN 60617 gives the graphical symbols that should be used in
all electrical/electronic diagrams or drawings. Since the symbols
fall in line with the International Electrotechnical Commission
(IEC) document 617, it should be possible to interpret non-UK
diagrams. Samples of the symbols used in this book are shown in
Figure 1.1.
Kind of current and voltage Mechanical controls
Direct current Mechanical coupling
Earth and frame connections
Alternating current
Earth or ground,
general symbol
Positive polarity
Frame, chassis
Negative polarity
FIGURE 1.1 BS EN 60617 Symbols.
1
2 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
Lamps and signalling devices Lighting
Lighting outlet position,
Signal lamp, shown with wiring
general symbol
Lighting outlet on wall,
shown with wiring
Signal lamp, running to the left
flashing type
Lamp, general symbol
Indicator,
Luminaire, fluorescent,
electromechanical
general symbol
Bell With three fluorescent
tubes
Single-stroke bell 5 With five fluorescent
tubes
Projector, general
Buzzer symbol
Spotlight
Push-button with
restricted access
(glass cover, etc.) Floodlight
Time switch Emergency lighting
luminaire on special
circuit
Self-contained
emergency lighting
luminaire
Miscellaneous
Antenna Fan, shown with wiring
Distribution centre, Intercommunication
shown with five instrument
conduits
Water heater, shown
with wiring
FIGURE 1.1 (Continued)
Diagrams 3
Architectural and topographical installation plans and diagrams
Socket outlets Switches
Socket outlet (power),
general symbol Switch, general symbol
3 Switch with pilot light
Three outlets shown: Switch, two pole
two forms
Two-way switch,
single pole
With single-pole switch
Intermediate switch
Socket outlet (power)
with isolating
transformer, for
example shaver outlet Dimmer
Pull-cord switch,
Socket outlet
single pole
(telecommunications),
general symbol Push-button
Push-button with
Designations are used to distinguish different indicator lamp
types of outlets:
TP Telephone FM Frequency
M Microphone modulation
Loudspeaker TV Television
TX Telex
FIGURE 1.1 (Continued)
4 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
Switchgear, control gear and protective devices
Contacts All-or-nothing relays
Make contact, normally Coil of a slow-releasing
open: also general relay
symbol for a switch
Coil of a slow-operating
Break contact relay
Coil of a relay
Change-over contact, unaffected by
break before make alternating current
Break contact with Coil of an alternating
spring return current relay
Push-button switch Coil of a mechanically
(non-locking) latched relay
Contactor, normally Actuating device of
open: three forms a thermal relay
Fuse and fuse switches
Fuse, general symbol
Contactor, normally Fuse with the supply
closed: three forms side indicated
Fuse switch
Fuse disconnector
Circuit breaker:
two forms Other forms for contacts and switches
Dotted lines denote alternative switch position
Change-over contact, 1 1 2 3 1 4
make before break 2 2 1 2 3
Make contact,
1 2
early to close 1 3 1 2
Break contact, 2 4
3 4 1 2
late to open
2 1 2
Make contact with
spring return 3
1 3 4
FIGURE 1.1 (Continued)
Diagrams 5
DIAGRAMS
The four most commonly used diagrams are the block diagram,
interconnection diagram, the circuit or schematic diagram and the
wiring or connection diagram.
Block diagrams
These diagrams indicate, by means of block symbols with suitable
notes, the general way in which a system functions. They do not
show detailed connections (Figure 1.2a and b).
Personal
attack
button
Alarm
Alarm
control
sounder
panel
Sensors
infrareds
magnetic, etc.
(a)
Incoming Supply
Consumer
supply authority Meter
unit
cut-out
Final
(b) circuits
FIGURE 1.2 (a) Security system, (b) Intake arrangement for domestic
installation.
Interconnection diagrams
In this case, items of equipment may be shown in block form but
with details of how the items are connected together (Figure 1.3).
6 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
1.0 mm2 twin 0.5 mm2 circular
with cpc cable twin flex
Ceiling Lampholder
rose
1.0 mm2 3-core
Two-way with cpc cable Two-way
switch switch
FIGURE 1.3 Two-way lighting system.
Circuit or schematic diagrams
These diagrams show how a system works, and need to pay no
attention to the actual geographical layout of components or
parts of components in that system. For example, a pair of con-
tacts which form part of, say, a timer may appear in a different and
quite remote part of the diagram than the timer operating coil that
actuates them. In this case some form of cross-reference scheme is
needed (e.g. T for the timer coil and T1, T2, T3, etc. for the asso-
ciated contacts).
It is usual for the sequence of events occurring in a system to be
shown on a circuit diagram from left to right or from top to bot-
tom. For example, in Figure 1.4, nothing can operate until the
main switch is closed, at which time the signal lamp comes on via
the closed contacts of the push-button. When the push is operated
the lamp goes out and the bell is energized via the push-button’s
top pair of contacts.
Wiring or connection diagrams
Here the diagrams show how a circuit is to be actually wired.
Whenever possible, especially in the case of control panels, they
should show components in their correct geographical locations.
Diagrams 7
Main
switch Push-button
Battery Single-stroke
Lamp
bell
FIGURE 1.4
The wiring between terminals may be shown individually on sim-
ple diagrams, but with complicated systems such wiring is shown
in the form of thick lines with the terminating ends entering and
leaving just as if the wiring were arranged in looms. Clearly, Figure
1.5a and b are the wiring diagrams associated with the circuit
shown in Figure 1.4. Although Figure 1.5a would be simple to wire
without reference to the circuit diagram, Figure 1.5b would present
a problem as it is shown if Figure 1.4 were not available.
In either case an alphanumeric (A1, GY56, f7, etc.) reference sys-
tem is highly desirable, not only for ease of initial wiring, but also
for fault location or the addition of circuitry at a later date. Both
circuit and wiring diagrams should be cross-referenced with such a
system (Figure 1.6a–c).
Note how, in Figure 1.6c, each termination is referenced with the
destination of the conductor connected to it. Also note how much
more easily a circuit diagram makes the interpretation of the cir-
cuits function.
CIRCUIT CONVENTION
It is probably sensible at this point to introduce the reader to
circuit convention. This is simply a way of ensuring that circuit
8 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
Lamp
Push-button
Bell
Main switch
Battery
(a)
Lamp Bell Push-button
Battery Main switch
(b)
FIGURE 1.5
diagrams are more easily interpreted, and is achieved by drawing
such diagrams in a de-energized state known as normal.
Hence, if we take a new motor starter out of its box, all of the
coils, timers, overloads and contacts are said to be in their normal
position. Figure 1.7a–d (see page 10) illustrate this convention as
applied to relays and contactors.
Note that, provided diagrams follow this accepted convention, it
is unnecessary to label contacts normally open (N/O) or normally
closed (N/C).
Diagrams 9
Push (P)
Switch (SW)
1 2 1 2
B
3 4
1 Single-
Battery (B)
stroke
Lamp (L)
bell
B 2 (SS)
(a)
L P
4 3
2 1
SS
2 1
2
1
SW
B
(b)
L SS P
43 P1
2 1
21 P3
B SS P4 L2 P2 L1 SS SW2
L2 SW1 B P1
B B
1 2
B SW
(c)
FIGURE 1.6 Schematic and wiring diagrams.
10 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
Relay coil, Relay coil,
general AC
Contactor or Relay coil,
relay coil general
(a)
N/O N/C N/O N/O N/C N/O N/C
Supply or
(b) Common C C
RA1 N/O
Supply RA
RB C
N/O N/O
RB1
RA2 N/C
(c) (d)
FIGURE 1.7 Contactor and relay conventions.
CONSTRUCTING AND INTERPRETING
CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
In order to construct or interpret a circuit/schematic diagram of the
controls of a particular system, it is necessary to understand, in broad
principles, how the system functions. A logical approach is needed,
and it may take the novice some while before all ‘clicks’ into place.
Here is an example to consider.
Electronic valet
You work hard every day and return home late every evening.
When you come in you look forward to a smooth scotch, a
Diagrams 11
sit down and then a relaxing soak in a hot bath. If you were
acquainted with electrical control systems you could arrange for
these little luxuries to be automated as shown in Figure 1.8.
T2
KS
TC1 1 3
DD1
2 FS
T1
Supply TC T DD BFU
FIGURE 1.8 Electronic valet.
The system components are as follows:
TC Typical 24h time clock: TC1 is set to close at 2100 h.
KS Key switch operated by front door key: momentary action, contacts open
when key is removed.
T Timer which can be set to close and open contacts T1 and T2 as required.
DD Drinks dispenser with a sprung platform on which the glass sits. When
energized, DD will dispense a drink into the glass.
When the glass is removed, the platform springs up closing contacts 1 and
3 on DD1.
DD1 Changeover contacts associated with DD.
FS Normally closed float switch, which opens when the correct bath water
level is reached.
BFU (bath filling unit): electrically operated hot water valve.
Let us now follow the system through:
1. At 9.00 pm or 2100 h the N/O contact TC1 on the time
clock TC closes, giving supply to one side of the key switch
and to the timer contact T1.
2. You arrive home and open the door with the key, which
closes the N/O spring-return contacts on KS, thus
12 Wiring Systems and Fault Finding For Installation Electricians
energizing the timer T. The drinks dispenser DD is also
energized via its own N/C contacts DD1 (1 and 2).
3. The timer T (now energized) instantly causes its own N/O
contacts T1 to close, allowing supply to be maintained to
T and DD via T1 (this is called a ‘hold-on’ circuit) when the
key is removed from the key switch KS. N/O timer contacts
T2 are set to close in say, 10 min. By the time you reach the
lounge DD has poured your scotch.
4. When you remove the glass from the dispenser, DD1
contacts 1 and 2 open, and 1 and 3 close, de-energizing the
dispenser and putting a supply to one side of the 10 min
timed contacts T2.
5. You can now sit down, relax and enjoy your drink, knowing
that shortly, contacts T2 will close and energize the bath
filling unit BFU via the N/C float switch FS.
6. When the bath level is correct, the float switch FS
opens and de-energizes BFU. You can now enjoy your
bath.
7. One hour, say, after arriving home, the timer T will have
completed its full cycle and reset, opening T1 and T2 and
thus restoring the whole system to normal.
This system is, of course, very crude. It will work but needs some
refinement. What if you arrive home early – surely you need not
stay dirty and thirsty? How do you take a bath during the day with-
out using the door key and having a drink? What about the bath
water temperature? And so on. If you have already begun to think
along these lines and can come up with simple solutions, then cir-
cuit/schematic diagrams should present no real problems to you.
Quiz controller
Here is another system to consider. Can you draw a circuit/sche-
matic diagram for it? (A solution is given at the end of the book.)
