How to read lighting plans

What Lighting Plans Show

A lighting plan is an electrical drawing showing the location, type, and circuit of every light fixture in a space, along with the switching and control devices that operate them. Lighting plans are produced by the electrical engineer and coordinated with the reflected ceiling plan (RCP) from the architect.

The Sheets You'll See

• E-100 series: Lighting plans by floor
• E-101 series: Lighting controls plans (sometimes combined with lighting)
• E-600 series: Lighting fixture schedule
• E-601 series: Lighting controls schedule and details
• E-602 series: Lighting one-line / riser if applicable

Fixture Symbols

Each fixture type is represented by a symbol from the symbol legend. Common conventions:

• Filled circle or square = recessed downlight
• Rectangle with internal hatch = linear pendant or troffer
• Triangle = wall sconce
• Letter or letter+number = fixture type designation (e.g., A, A1, B2)
• Subscript number = circuit number from the panel
• Subscript letter = switch leg or control zone
• Hatched or shaded fixture = emergency or night-light fixture

The symbol legend on the cover or first lighting sheet defines all symbols used in the project. Always start there.

Reading the Fixture Schedule

The fixture schedule is a table that lists every fixture type with:

• Type designation (A, A1, B, etc.)
• Manufacturer and catalog number
• Description (LED downlight, linear pendant, etc.)
• Lamp type and quantity
• Wattage and lumen output
• Voltage
• Mounting (recessed, surface, pendant, wall)
• Driver/ballast information
• Control type (0–10V dimming, DALI, etc.)
• Optional notes (e.g., emergency, color temperature, special lensing)

Reading Circuiting

Circuit numbers on the lighting plan trace back to the panel schedule. A fixture labeled "A, LP1-7" is fixture type A on circuit 7 of panel LP1. Switch legs use lowercase letters (a, b, c) to show which switch controls which fixtures. Use the symbol legend and the panel schedule together to trace which switch, which circuit, and which load each fixture is on.

Reading Lighting Controls

• Wall switches shown with $ or S symbol, often with subscript letter or number
• Occupancy sensors shown with OS symbol
• Daylight sensors shown with DS or PC symbol
• Dimmers shown with $D or SD symbol
• Zones shown as boundaries or fill patterns on the plan
• Control narrative on the controls schedule explains the operation

Emergency Lighting on the Plan

• Emergency fixtures shown shaded or with a distinct symbol
• Egress illumination shown with arrows or coverage zones
• Exit signs shown with a distinct symbol with arrow direction
• Battery-backup vs. generator-backed identified per code
• Photometric calculation may be referenced on a separate sheet

Coordination Items to Verify

• Fixture locations match RCP
• Switch locations match architectural elevations
• Circuits and loads agree with panel schedule
• Controls strategy meets IECC requirements
• Egress illumination meets IBC and NEC requirements
• Fixture quantities match fixture schedule totals