Reference Guide
Electrical Abbreviations Guide
100+ electrical abbreviations used on construction drawings, organized by category
Last updated: February 2026•Reference Guide
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Wiring & Conductors
AWG
American Wire Gauge
THHN
Thermoplastic High Heat Nylon (wire type)
THWN
Thermoplastic Heat & Water Nylon (wire type)
XHHW
Cross-Linked High Heat Water resistant
MC
Metal Clad (cable)
NM
Non-Metallic (Romex cable)
SO
Service cord, Oil resistant
USE
Underground Service Entrance
CU
Copper
AL
Aluminum
GND
Ground
EGC
Equipment Grounding Conductor
GEC
Grounding Electrode Conductor
N
Neutral
Conduit & Raceways
EMT
Electrical Metallic Tubing
IMC
Intermediate Metal Conduit
RMC
Rigid Metal Conduit
RGS
Rigid Galvanized Steel
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride (conduit)
LFMC
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit
FMC
Flexible Metal Conduit
ENT
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
CT
Cable Tray
WM
Wireway/Wiremod
JB
Junction Box
PB
Pull Box
Panels & Distribution
MDP
Main Distribution Panel
MSB
Main Switchboard
MCC
Motor Control Center
SWG
Switchgear
SWBD
Switchboard
DP
Distribution Panel
LP
Lighting Panel
PP
Power Panel
ATS
Automatic Transfer Switch
MTS
Manual Transfer Switch
XFMR
Transformer
GEN
Generator
UPS
Uninterruptible Power Supply
PDU
Power Distribution Unit
Devices & Protection
CB
Circuit Breaker
AFCI
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter
GFI/GFCI
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
DISC
Disconnect
FD
Fused Disconnect
NFD
Non-Fused Disconnect
OL
Overload
SPD
Surge Protective Device
CT
Current Transformer
PT
Potential Transformer
MTR
Meter
SS
Safety Switch
WP
Weatherproof
IG
Isolated Ground
Units & Ratings
V
Volt
A/AMP
Ampere
W
Watt
KW
Kilowatt
KVA
Kilovolt-Ampere
VA
Volt-Ampere
HP
Horsepower
PF
Power Factor
Hz
Hertz (frequency)
1PH
Single Phase
3PH
Three Phase
AIC
Ampere Interrupting Capacity
AF
Ampere Frame
AT
Ampere Trip
Lighting & Controls
FC
Foot-Candle
LED
Light Emitting Diode
CFL
Compact Fluorescent Lamp
HID
High Intensity Discharge
MH
Metal Halide
HPS
High Pressure Sodium
LCP
Lighting Control Panel
OCC
Occupancy Sensor
DL
Daylight Sensor
EM
Emergency
NL
Night Light
EX
Exit Sign
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