School of Engineering Technology & Applied Science

(SETAS)
Introduction to Wiring Diagrams

Objectives-Week 1
• Identify wire colour coding (grounded and
ungrounded wires)
• Identify the basic symbols used for wiring
diagrams
• Draw a basic wiring diagram
• List CEC rules for colour coding of wires
The Need for Communication

Drawings are the “road map” for electrical

installations.

They make sense of an otherwise confusing

installation.

Drawings also allow for someone other than the

installer to know exactly what is or should be going
on with our install.

There are different types of drawings that

communicate different information.
The Layout Diagram
The layout diagram is also known as a block diagram. It is a
single line diagram, making use of squares, rectangles, circles,
etc…, to indicate the parts used, and t he location of each part.

F ──────── S ──────────
Voltage Supply Control Device Load
The Schematic Diagram

The schematic diagram is used to indicate, and trace the

current paths. It is a single line diagram, making use of
symbols and colour code.
The ladder type Schematic Diagram

The ladder type schematic diagram is similar to the schematic

diagram, however it consists of multiple circuits, components,
and steps. In the ladder type schematic diagram each circuit is
shown as a separate rung of the ladder.
The Wiring Diagram
The wiring diagram is a “how to” type of diagram. It
shows how to connect the devices in the circuit. It makes
use of colour code, and shows all hardware needed to
make the circuit operate.
Rule 12-506 (1) The cable (Non Metallic
Sheathed Cable) shall be run in continuous
lengths between outlet boxes, junction boxes,
and panel boxes as a loop system and the
joints, splices, and taps shall be made in the
boxes.

A wiring diagram represents this requirement by

laying out the loops(circuits) running from box to
box with the cable terminating at devices inside
the box. It also communicates exactly how our
circuit is connected.

It also indicates the bonding and grounding

connections as required by the CEC.
Conductor Identification

CEC requires that the grounded (identified) conductor have an

outer finish that is white or gray, or three continuous white
stripes. 4-030 (1)

The white grounded conductor is commonly referred to as the

neutral, CEC Rule 4-030(2).

Ungrounded conductors must not use green, white, gray, or

three continuous white stripes. 4-038 (3)

The ungrounded conductors are commonly referred to as

“hot or phase conductors.”

The equipment bonding conductor is green or bare, CEC Rule

4-036.
CEC 4038 (3) (a) (b)
Non-metallic-sheathed cable (Romex) and armoured cable (BX) are
colour-coded as follows:

Two-wire:
 one black ("hot" phase conductor)
 one white (grounded "identified" conductor)
 one bare (equipment bonding conductor)
Or
 one black ("hot" phase conductor)
 one red ("hot" phase conductor)
 one bare (equipment bonding conductor)
Three-wire:
 one black ("hot" phase conductor)
 one white (grounded "identified” conductor)
 one red ("hot" phase conductor)
one bare (equipment bonding conductor)
 Basic Symbols

Wall or ceiling mounted light

Single Pole Switch

Duplex Receptacle
 Basic Symbols (cont’d)

Outlet Enclosure

Device Box/Switch Box

Lighting Outlet/Junction box

Octagon Box
Part 2 Wiring Diagrams (cont’d)

Learning Objectives
• Use of identified conductor
• Identify proper terminal connections
• Draw wiring diagrams for various
arrangements of a receptacle light and switch
• Identify bonding requirements
• List CEC rules for identified conductors,
terminal connections and bonding
requirements
4-036-Use of Identified Conductors

(1) When using NMSC or AC the identified

conductor can be changed to another colour
(2) For use in switch loops it can stay white as long
as it carries the switched feed to the outlet only
(3) When not used cut it off
(4) Installed so that devices can be disconnected
without interrupting the continuity of the
identified conductor
Lampholders 30-600

The identified conductor shall be connected to the

screw shell.
Therefore the hot must be connected to the base.

This prevents the shell from ever becoming live and

someone receiving a shock while changing a light
bulb.

The identified conductor connects directly to the

load leaving the hot to be controlled or “switched”
Receptacles

Terminals for
wire connection
are identified as AUTOMATIC BONDING
TO METALLIC BOXES
brass for hot
HIDDEN FROM VIEW IS THE
and silver for GREEN HEXAGON SCREW TO
ATTACH THE BONDING WIRE

identified
conductors. GROUNDING SLOT
Wiring a Single Receptacle

Wiring Multiple Receptacles

What about the BARE wire???

Equipment bonding requirements are specified in Rules 10-400 to

10-408, 10-808 and 10-814. These rules require that all boxes and
fixtures in the residence be bonded to ground.
10-400 to 10-408

Equipment Bonding-tells us that all non current

carrying metal shall be bonded together and
connected to ground at the panel.

10-808

(1) Tells us that bonding conductor splices must be

made in boxes
(2) Tells us that all bonding conductors shall be
connected together using the screws provided
in the box or a combination of the screws plus a
wireless connector. Also in such a way so that
the removal of a device does not interrupt the
bonding continuity.
10-814

Bonding Conductor Size shall use Table 16A

Our Residential wiring contains an appropriately

sized bonding conductor.
Intro to Wiring Diagrams Part 3

• Explain the difference between single pole,

double pole, three way and four way toggle
switches
• List the CEC rules pertaining to toggle switches
• Draw wiring diagrams using the different types of
switches
Toggle Switches Types
Toggle Switches 14-500 to 14-514

Category 1 14-508
AC/DC General-Use Snap Switch
 AC or DC circuits
 Resistive loads
 Inductive loads limited to ½ current rating
 Marked with “T” tungsten loads limited to
current rating
 Marked for horsepower limited to current
rating
Toggle Switches (cont’d)

Category 2 14-510

AC General-Use Snap Switch

 AC only
 Resistive and inductive loads
 Tungsten-filament lamp not to exceed current
rating at 120 volts
 Motor loads not to exceed 80% of current
rating
Toggle Switches (cont’d)

Category 3 14-512

• AC only
• Resistive and inductive loads not to exceed 347
volts
Toggle Switch Types

Single Pole Switch

• A single pole switch is used when a light or group

of lights is to be controlled from one point.
• The switch is identified by its two terminals and
the toggle marked on/off.
Three Way Switch-

• A three way switch differs from a single pole

switch in that the three way switch does not have
an on/off position.
• It has a common (the terminal that is always
connected) and two traveler terminals.
Four Way Switch

• Four way switches are used when a load must be

controlled from more than two locations.
• It has two positions but neither is on or off.
Double Pole Switch

• A double pole (two pole) switch may be used

when two separate circuits are to be controlled
with one switch.
• It may also be used to control a 240 volt load.