Electrical – drawing for electrical work permit

electricalplanning

I want to install can lights in my living room. I live in NJ and I am allowed to do this work myself. I was told by local township to submit 2 sets of drawings for locations of new lights/switches. My question is how can I draw these diagrams ? I can just draw it my way but I am not sure If there is any standard way for drawing electrical plans which I have to follow. Does it have to be 3D plan ? Is there any free software out there which I can use ?

Best Answer

I Normally draw a rectangular box and provide the room dimensions. Show the location of the door and the light switch. In the diagram show where the feed is to the existing light or the switch and the location of the existing fixture with wire running from the switch to the fixture.

At each location you draw the cables list the size and /type and or conduit examples : 12-2WG or 14-2WG for Romex. If conduit 1/2” emt 3 ea #12 thhn or possibly MC 14-2 WG (Emt electric metal tubing, MC metal clad,)

I usually change colors and show the new fixtures fed from (the original light fixture box or switch). If any question of box fill I show the Fill calculation for the size and type and box size if only 1 in 1 out I don’t
switch loops fed from the fixture I do unless the box is separate. the fixtures do not have to be exact locations the wire route is approximate. I have turned the drawing in on the hamburger wrapper from my lunch in one case but they usually like it on an 8-1/2 x 11 paper your name and address the location of the room in the home with an explanation like “existing feeder 14-3 nmb (Romex) from main panel 15 amp breaker #6 . Addition of 3 ea ic can lights 60w max.

I have never had to provide more than this and as I said I have laid out a quick job for a guy that caught me in town and I drew it up on a hamburger wrapper it might have been yellow and the inspector told me I better have a burger for him on the inspection. But approved the drawing and gave me the permit on the spot after copying it.