ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES

This section gives a comprehensive picture of the best suited to the accomplishment of their function.
fundamentals of the electrical drawing practices Their adoption is usually based on a continuous
which the technician and engineer of today will evaluation of the latest engineering techniques and
encounter. the methods which are’most accepted in the field.

The advancement of technology causes a need for

FUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS
The function of electrical drawings is to guide the
design, manufacture, installation, operation, and
servicing of electrical equipment and systems.
Each of these functions is accomplished by a func-
tional group. For instance: design and manufac-
ture of a turbine-generator is accomplished by
LSTG or MSTGD, and installation of it is accom-
plished by I&SE.
new drawing symbols and techniques. Because the
state-of-the-art of the power generation and dis-
tribution field does not change as rapidly as other
electrical and electronic fields, the power genera-
tion drawing symbols are older and sometimes dif-
ferent. Where the state-of-the-art is rapidly
changing, the drawing practices (symbols, types of
drawings, abbreviations) being used may be only
temporary until the best technique is finally estab-
lished. (See figure 2. )

Each G. E. division or department provides draw-

ings for its own equipment. The customers for
G. E. equipment provide drawings such as design lNmJcm E A R L I E R tTwe4xs APPROVED STANDA~

specifications, interface, performance standards, I

etc. (i. e., Niagara Mohawk power network inter-
face).
DRAWING PRACTICES

Drawing practices are established by each func-

tional group after determining which practices are

DESIGN INSTALLATION
MANUFACTURING OPERATlON
‘AND SERVICE

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GCRVICE Figure 2. Evolution of Symbols

Most of the problems involved in trying to read

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electrical drawings are caused by the symbols and
abbreviations. Either they are prepared with tech-
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niques understood only by the group, or if they are

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familiar with the standards.
The most pertinent standards for II. S. electrical
drawing practices are:
Figure 1. Electrical Installation
Drawing Practices 1. ASA '‘Electrical Diagrams”
General Electric Co. 1
ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES
2. ASA “Graphical Symbols for Electrical
Diagrams”
3. ASA *‘Electrical Symbols for Architectural
Plans”
4. ASA “Illustration Standards for Publications
and Projections”
5. Mil Std 15-A V’Electrical and Electronic
Symbols”
6. Mil Std 12-C “Abbreviations for Use on
Drawings, etc. ”
TYPES OF DRAWINGS
The types of drawings encountered in the electrical
field may be classified:
1. Pictorial drawings
2. Wiring (connection) drawings or diagrams
3. Block diagrams
4. Schematic (elementary) diagrams
5. Electric power drawings
1. PICTORIAL DRAWINGS
Pictorial drawings are the easiest type to read.
Because they are similar to actual pictures, they
present more information than the standard ortho-
graphic (flat-side view) projection. They are also
the most expensive to prepare in relation to the
amount of information they convey. Pictorials are
used mostly to describe new devices which require
pictorial representation. Also, they are used ,to
provide electrical information to technical per-
sonnel who have not been trained in reading engi-
neering drawings. Good examples are drawings
used by armed forces personnel, assembly line
workers,. and do-it-yourselfers.
The types of pictorial drawings most often used in
the electrical field are:
1. Isometric drawing
2. Oblique drawing
3. Dimetric drawing
4. Perspective drawing
The first three types produce visual approximation
of the object and can be measured using various
scales. The fourth method, perspective, presents
an object as it actually appears to the eye, but
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requires the principles of perspective to measure
dimensions.
ISOMETRIC
Figure 3. Drawings of Transformer and
Switchgear at Electrical
Substation
2. WIRING DIAGRAMS
The purpose of the wiring diagram (or connection,
or interconnection drawings) is to show the point
to point routing of all connections in a device or
system. Sometimes the components are shown in
their physical relationship, and sometimes the
components are omitted except for the termina-
tions (pins, plugs, jacks, etc. ). The wiring dia-
gram could include color coding; wire or cable
type, size, or numbers;anti routing sequences or
procedures.
The wiring diagram is usually used for manufac-
turing or installation. For troubleshooting, the
wiring diagram should be accompanied by the
elementary, or schematic, diagram. Seefigure 4.
3. BLOCK DIAGRAMS
The simplicity of a block diagram enables you to
easily understand the related functions of parts of
an electrical circuit or system. It usually shows
the normal order of progression of the signals (or
sequence of events) through the ciruit.
Block diagrams are used to ease the operational
understanding of a circuit or system by reducing
all functional units to a block or standard symbol,
and then using various kinds of lines to describe
the functional interrelationships. Because of this,
block diagrams are very valuable in Trouble-
shooting.
4. SCHEMATIC DXAGRAMS
The schematic diagram (more recently being called
by its newer name, the elementary diagram) shows

110 VOLT MOTOR
CONNECTIONS
Figure 4. Comparison of a Wiring Diagram
and an Elementary
the connections and functions of a circuit by graphic
symbols and abbreviations. It does not show the
physical relationships of the components within a
circuit.
The schematic diagram may be used with compara-
tive ease for circuit design, circuit analysis, in-
struction, and troubleshooting.
Schematics (or elementaries*) are prepared using
two main standards, one for the graphic symbols,
and the second for the approved technique for
drawing schematics (as well as connection
diagram.
Elementaries (or schematics) are generally pre-
pared observing the following principles. The
circuits are laid out so that the signal can be
traced functionally from the left. The circuits are
arranged so that they are balanced and symmetri-
cal. Main and auxiliary circuits are grouped and
* The two words schematic and elementary may be
used interchangeably.-
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ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES
subordinated (more or less). Symbol spacing and
identification is a major consideration in the
preparation of the diagram. Refer to figure 5.
- - - - - - A-C SUPPLY m m - - -
i
2”
OL
i
I
11 IC
SPEED
CONTROL
Figure 5. Schematic Diagram of Thy-mo-trol
Variable-speed D-c Motor
Controller
5. ELECTRIC POWER DRAWINGS
A complete set of electrical drawings for a typical
generating station just about covers the entire
field of electrical drawing. Included would be
schematics (whoops, elementaries), connection
diagrams, block diagrams, as well as the layout
and details of the electrical interface with the me-
chanical and structural features of the site.
The one-line diagram shows, by single lines and
symbols, the major equipment, switching devices,
and connecting power circuits of the power station.
(Another drawing showing the actual connections
between units is also necessary. ) Figure 6 shows
a typical one-ltne. Figure 7 shows the relationship
of a one-ltne and a full-line drawing for a typical
method of transformer connection.
A set of electric power drawings will vary depending
on the needs of the customer and the traditional
practices of the manufacturer. For instance, a
separate interconnection diagram can be (and is)
made for power cables, or control cables. (See
figure 8. ) Similar drawings can be made to high-
light any particular function or type of equipment.
Figure 9 shows a “thermocouple location diagram. ”
3
ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES

- - - cc16 ---L--p
/- Cl4 3-300/s

.+;. ,
L- -

MAIN TRANSFDRMER NO. 2

21128 WA, 14.4 kV/69 kV

STATION
AUX.
v C204 3-120015 TRANSFORMER
NO. 2
2 5 0 0 WA
14.4W24kV

I NEUTRAL TRANSFORMER
2 FlEL0 BREAKER
-cc203 3-12CO/5 3 MOTOR -OPERATE0 RHEOSTAT
f- PM6 d 4 SURGE PROTECTION

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Figure 6, TypicaI One Line Diagram

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 ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES

These last three types of electric power drawings

are only a few of the special types of drawings
used in the power field. The one-line diagram is
almost unique to the power field. As the state-of-
the-art advances, new types of drawings will be
required to convey the new information.

ONE LINE DIAGRAM FULL LINE DIAGRAM

Figure 7. Relationship of a One-line and

a Pull-line Drawing
7 c337 4-

TURBINE
PANEL
EXC.

03

I TURBO- GENERATOR NO. I

R

TURBO GENERATOR NO. 2

c 2 3 9 -j
GEN. NO.2
OJ-
9

CIRCUIT DESTINATION LEGEND

0
I
-
TO SWIlCHBOARD

c)
3 To T U R B I N E PANEL
L C288
0 5 l0 MOTOR CONTROL CTR.

0
NOTE :
CONNECTIONS To THlS UNIT 8 TD LOCAL PUSHBUTTON STA'S.
HAVE BEEN OMITTED
0 9 To TURBO-GENERATOR

Figure 8. Part of an Electrical Control One-line Diagram

E-103 5
 ELECTRICAL DRAWING PRACTICES

A
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32 104’
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4 108’
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! 123’

10 109’
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25 107’
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29 104’
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Figure 9. Therm locouple Location Diagram

GENERAL@ELECTRIC

(62)

6 E-103