Blueprints Deciphered: How to Read Commercial Plans (For Electricians)

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If it weren’t for drawings, most of us in the construction industry wouldn’t have as much of a grasp on exactly what we were to build. The bulk of the building trades would be running amok haphazardly building things across the jobsite with no rhyme or reason! In today’s episode of Electrician U, Dustin walks us through how to read a set of Commercial Blueprints.
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The biggest difference between a Residential set of drawings and a Commercial set of drawings is the engineering. Residential plans are drawn primarily from an architectural standpoint as there is much less going on. A commercial set of drawings is much larger and more complex and requires engineering (on top of the architectural) to design ALL the systems to work together to perform what the end customer needs. The architectural set of drawings for commercial looks much the same as in a residential set, just a larger scope. You will have overall views, elevations, and details but will also have things like roof plans and reflected ceiling plans. The RCP’s will show LAYOUT of light fixtures, but not the circuitry, and are a good resource to check vs. the electrical set to make sure everything is cohesive. There will also generally be structural drawings (which show the buildings structure) and maybe even a civil set (which covers the major utilities underground and the site itself).
The Mechanical and Plumbing sets show the buildings systems for these two trades. Always check the mechanical and plumbing schedules vs. what is shown on the electrical sheets to make sure you are roughing in the appropriate conduit and wire as well as from the proper voltage panels. The drawings don’t always line up and it’s good to identify issues early on. Also worth note for these two sets are the larger ducts/pipes. It will show general locations for these so you can see where NOT to install something electrical that conflicts with the location.
The electrical set is much larger and has more detail for a commercial set of drawings. The front electrical sheet usually contains notes and symbols. This will help us navigate what is shown on the rest of the sheets. There will be a lighting page showing all the different fixtures as well as the switches, dimmers, and sensors that control them. It may be helpful to mark up the sheet with colors to help you identify circuitry/fixture/switch types easier. The power sheet will show the locations of all the power type devices along with the panels they are being fed from. Many power drawings will also show you how many wires and what size to run for each circuit. Again, these are drawn by an engineer and are usually very thorough. You may even see a kitchen drawing that will show the electrical rough in for the kitchen equipment if there is one on your project.
Also within the electrical set of drawings there will be a one-line diagram. This diagrammatically shows the panels, transformers (if there are any), and large switchgear. This drawing will show us what panels are being fed from what along with conduit and wire sizes. A grounding plan is usually available as well to guide us through what size grounding conductors to put where. Most commercial buildings have more than one panel in them, and a panel schedule sheet will also be available to us. This will give us general information about our panel(s) along with an itemized list of what breakers are being used for all the equipment.
We hope this has been an insightful look into how to read a set of commercial Blueprints. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed here on Electrician U? Leave us a comment in the comments section and let us know. Please continue to follow Dustin Stelzer and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity #blueprints #deciphered #how # to #read #commercial #plans

[@illumiNelz]

3rd year apprentice for an electric company. Most don't really take the time to let you even LOOK at the prints, this video does so much help for someone like myself. Thank you!

[@oculophilia918]

Leave that company immediately. They care more about their position than proper training the future.

[@slickwilly6868]

Go to your boss and ask for a set of old blueprints from a job that's been completed.

[@iamelectrictn3147]

Honestly a 3rd year apprentice has no business looking at the prints other than maybe to see where lights are going. The foreman or lead should be handling those. You will get there however

[@zhumusic-ng9tr]

Bro I can't even get in A company. I went to school too lol

[@iamelectrictn3147]

@@zhumusic-ng9tr find a legit company that does commercial/industrial. There is ZERO shortages of work only qualified people

[@brandonkeefe7106]

Noob here. Your videos have helped me so much when it comes to knowing how and why and when it comes to tools what to use when and where. I work with a buddy of mine who has been an electrician for 4 years and I’m a noob but he said he is surprised I know as much as I do because he has had some guys who are just ignorant when it comes to the process but I credit you for a lot of the things I’ve learned

[@hydrochris]

Industrial plans next? That would be great to see the differences

[@kevinsadowy5602]

Industrial is just commercial with more cowboys 😂

[@jakerasp]

Maybe he can just do a how to read video??

[@Daisyvaladez8106]

You’ll deal with a lot of contactors and relays and motors that’s the difference

[@andr3w_496]

@@Daisyvaladez8106are any of those used in commercial places?

[@ThreePhase470]

​@@andr3w_496yes

[@ElectricRob]

Great overview of a set of commercial plans! - as a commercial electrical engineer who has been on the other side of these prints for decades, I appreciate seeing this overview from your position as the installing electrician. Kudo's for reviewing ALL of the prints, including Architectural, Mechanical and Plumbing - a great point to make for new electricians (and on larger projects you will even have Civil and Landscaping and even Structural plans to review). Buildings are a lot of interconnected/intertwined systems from many trades, so it's great that you emphasize getting that overall feel for the whole building. I would also add that these types of projects are many times designed to what is called a "basis of design" - a term meaning that much of the equipment is just selected as a "placeholder" for the final equipment, which could be from a number of different manufacturers, so the plans end up being a bit generic. And you nicely showed how you take this "diagrammatic" set of plans and carefully add your installation details such as the j-boxes, actual routing, etc. to allow you to build it, and present an accurate set of as-built or "record" drawings for the building owner. Finally, I do appreciate your comment about engineers making mistakes - I'm the first to admit that I have never produced a "perfect" set of prints, and have always felt that building buildings takes close teamwork between designers and installers. Well done sir!

[@tonydyer5073]

Great job explaining commercial blueprints, D. I admire your passion and dedication to electrical education.

[@Info.isfree.openmind]

The reflected ceiling plan also show with shades of black/white or dots if the ceiling is hard lid or drop tile or concrete. This is important for rough-in of back boxes and mounting of devices, the RCP will help giving and idea to know what type of hardware is needed for mounting devices, lighting,fans, etc.

[@chrisf7119]

Thank you 2 years in commercial and still working on blue print familiarty. some foreman try to help out and want us to use blue prints but the two foreman ive worked with the most hate it when guys look at the blueprints they want it done how they say which I get. and also with rfi's and updated plans they keep on their ipads and you never see those. But trying to get more familiar and be able to read and interpret plans thanks for the help!

[@Enlightn76]

Great summary for such a short video, plan reading could be an entire series. You do a great job putting a lot into a small package. •When "speaking with engineers" get it in writing or I guarantee you any verbal directive that ends up not working out will be conveniently "forgotten." at the end of the job your stuck holding the bag. •Consult with shop drawings from equipment manufacturers if they call for circuitry or other extras beyond original scope of work you're due a change order. The contract was signed on the engineered plans not company X's shop drawings. •Once you have more than 10 guys under your supervision it's unlikley you'll have any tools in you hands other than a tape measure pencil and phone. Keeping the crew going with materials,info, and guidance is full time job.

[@frstgear]

great video, I love the overhead view. What I think might be more beneficial is if you took the dwg files showed them on a computer versus an overhead shot.

[@supercadet111]

Love that Junction box layout. Always thought something like that would make sense.

[@curtw8827]

I was the design engineer of record on a manufacturing plant before I retired. Electrical plans had 250 sheets. Good presentation.

[@paulhalverson4398]

Image looks considerably improved- new camera? Set looks great too. As usual, great teaching video. Thanks so much!

[@krytera3154]

We just looked over some Commercial plans today in my electrical course too so now I get to watch this too

[@jacques-michaeloosthuizen1235]

Thank you for the video. I am a graduate electrical engineer and have designed a few of these comercial plans in the 13 months I have been doing this. I have made some mistakes but always try to correct them asap and it does help when the contractors just ask the question if they are not sure about something on the plans. Some times the mistakes just come from the drafters not understanding the engineers markups and they just slip through the cracks unnoticed. It was ingeresting to see the difference in the style the plans are presented in the US vs here in Australia as the symbols used are very different from what I am use to.

[@martf1061]

Is it true that engineers never assume their mistakes, when the electrical worker points them out??

[@ericfransen1309]

Heads up for anyone installing/bidding AV infrastructure for a Performing Arts Theater, Concert Space, or an AV intense Multipurpose gym etc, the conduit required always takes those who haven't done one by surprise. There is a boat load of it and AV signal separation issues as well. Look for pathways especially in building shells or existing buildings. In these venues there is often an AV technical transformer and Isolated Grounding system. For coordination, we just went through a Navisworks exercise to coordinate with all trade in 3d for pathways etc. Seems to be going well.

[@rubenrios9649]

Really loving your vids bro thanks

[@user-wh5zc6sb8q]

Keep it up bro I've learned so much from you! Getting my License down here in South Tampa Florida!

[@brianmcdermott1718]

Great info. well explained, Thank you Dustin. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@billymendoza7053]

My brother my prayers have been answered thank you

[@rylegaming2903]

As a 3rd year Electrical Engineering Student, I always wanted to learn how I can do what electrician do like practical not just by solving theory. I love solving thats why I enter i electrical engineering course but I thought it is more good if I have a knowledge about what electrician do so that we have a good understanding about what will to do.

[@BrianFo]

Ever do any stage theatres? I feel like I'm always helping the electricians learn the unique stuff of Theatrical lighting systems.

[@fusion772]

When do you find the time on site to read the plans in detail? It would take hours to go over the whole electrical section let alone the mechanical etc

[@paulanthony6763]

Red, Black, Blue is insane! What about your BOY 277v?

[@--JohnDoe]

You installed 3 phase delta high leg system? 240v?

[@wheatstonebridge]

Im a woman looking to get into the trades. Im excited as I want to work as an electrician. I love the highlighting idea, I cannot wait to use my highlighters.

[@iamelectrictn3147]

I think what your doing is great to attract people into the trade. Let me however help you out with a couple things. For L1-51, L1-53, L1-55 The prints are showing you those three receptacles to pull together. 3 hots, three neutrals, and one ground. They are all 120v single phase, not three phase. You could normally get away with a old school full boat (3 hots and one neutral, using breaker ties of course), except obviously its speced out here for separate neutrals. It looks like someone changed that up by the scribbling out of the original ciruit for whatever reason so that may not still apply. That part is irrelevant. Shit changes as thats fine as long as the panel schedule reflects this. The 42" on the print for that receptacle is 42" AFF (above finsihed floor) for that kitchen receptacle. On the riser disagram 4 and 5 are disconnects, not panels. Obviously from the CT cabinet they leave and then hit disconnects before feeding the low voltage panels. The other "prints" your referring to on the details of the equip to be installed those are called submittals. They are your friend and very nice especially now with the modern technology. Good prints go a long way

[@albduke]

How do you figure the actual layout of Panels,conduits, wire inside the conduits to the different loads?

[@RaviSingh-yo3jt]

Would like to see industrial machines plans next

[@Shawn_G_]

As a beginner is this the right video to start with?

[@michaelhinchey]

How do you handle prints with junction boxes when someone else is running a certain area? Seems like everyone just wants to throw a junction box where ever they want.

[@BBarbeito14]

If you put a junction box somewhere it should be added and drawn into the prints with pencil or highlighter

[@elvizhernandez4305]

So are the conduit runs not pre planned? Meaning these need to be drawn in by the electricians as the job goes on?

[@albduke]

How go about running coduits?

[@NoAlvarez]

interesting take. I was curious about the low voltage systems. In my state, the electrician provides pathways for the low voltage systems (data, cameras, fire alarm, etc). The low voltage tech installs the wires and devices. Did your plans not include any of these systems or you are not responsible for them?

[@ethanrushing2190]

I thought he said he was from Austin and in Houston where I work normally the low voltage would be a separate contract from the electrical contract but, we still usually install part of the contract like raceways and pull strings

[@nwil2003]

Kill the distracting background music.

[@briansiebert8242]

Would you recommend, as an apprentice, obtaining a set of plans to review/study while at home?

[@Bluecollarrealtor]

Yes

[@joshstuckey9977]

Do a oilfield prints please

[@jaredmoglia711]

Can you do a lengthy like 3 hour version of this and go into detail along with attaching a pdf so we can actually see it closer up ourselves

[@BenGates101]

Question. I have a light in a pantry . The size of a closet. The light is a bulb in a switched socket. I’m told that is against code. Can I replace it with a recessed led light?

[@zacharybob4336]

What you can do is hire an electrician instead of trying to get things for free from people who invested years of their life to acquire the knowledge to safely do electrical.

[@aerodynamic2685]

Need an in-depth course for us premium members

[@kweidhaas57]

The background music is distracting from your excellent content.

[@camdendexter]

I know some businesses are moving to planning stuff in things like Autodesk Revit in 3D to make visualizing easier. Have you see any of this in your trade yet?

[@spadeninja9]

so you had 3 phase voltage coming in, as that 208v? how did the engineers get 240v panels without a transformer?

[@joseavila2076]

What state are you located at? I need to work for someone like you

[@loganocchionero6621]

Wow. This was really helpful

[@EchoTangoSuitcase]

I wish 3 things: 1. That all prints had comprehensive legends. 2. That people would remember it's a 2D representation of a 3D space. 3. That it be illegal for anyone to use BIM without at least a year bending conduit, installing water/sewer/gas/HVAC, and reading paper prints. Punishable by 30 days of watching The View on a continual 24-hr loop.

[@DrEw-cx9pt]

A ground for each phase on 3 phase power?

[@Enlightn76]

Not required. Grounding conductor can be shared with multiple phase conductors so long as ground size is suitable for largest current carrying conductor in raceway.

[@DrEw-cx9pt]

@Sicilian switchblade that's how I have always done it, but Dustin mentioned a marking for 3 phase with 3 grounds, and that would be a new one for me.

[@curtw8827]

I think that was three phase conductors, three neutrals, one ground in that homerun. Probably 3 120v circuits going back to GFCI Cb's since it was a kitchen.

[@TheTrumpmancometh2024]

Most contractors keep their prints on an Ipad so if you dont know how to use an IPad you’re stuck like chuck!

[@Neil-ym8vy]

The JM Electricians shouldn't be looking at the plan alot. That is the supervisor or leads job. Usually they have people team up in the morning and give the Journeyman a smaller copy of the plan if he really needs to look at them.

[@anthonymartinez8347]

I just barely past my jm exam last month, they just gave me the blueprints to a dominos witch starts next week,, not sure how to approach this

[@aaronboggs7152]

how did it go?@@anthonymartinez8347

[@Penguin545]

I can’t tell you how many journeymen we have had on our job site from temp staffing that can’t even read a panel schedule- they pulled in neutrals on every 208 circuit and wasted 500’ of white per PDU (transformer/panel all in 1 unit)- we have 7 pdus in a row over a 1,500 long floor and they did it on almost every one- wasted thousands of dollars of wire on that single mistake. They also kept referring to 208 as 240 😒.

[@Enlightn76]

I'll go ahead and say it. Those aren't journeymen...

[@zacharybob4336]

Journeyman thru temp staffing? TF kind of contractor are you working for?

[@Penguin545]

@@Enlightn76 unbelievably they passed the state exam but certainly not in spirit no

[@Penguin545]

@@zacharybob4336 currently building a DC for a major retailer out of state, the job has been staffed at times with 3-5x more guys from temp staffing than employees of the actual company that is running the job. It’s a a case of we need warm bodies that can run miles of pipe (albeit not very well). It’s a 4 million square foot 3 story DC- we have been working on it for 12 months nonstop with 8-27 guys. At least 100% + turnover rate, with plenty of that turnover being people invited to leave.

[@zacharybob4336]

@@Penguin545 sounds like a shitty company to take on a 4 million square foot distribution center and not have 8-27 electricians to man it.

[@user-lh7xc2tm2o]

السلام عليكم أنا اختكم صاحبه قناه طبخ ومفيش عندى تفاعل ومشاهده ممكن تنصحوني ب حل المشكلة ازى وشكرا لحضرتك

[@jake-rz2fk]

im like 6/7 months in and this made no sense

[@josefschubert9401]

The content is great but The music sounds like you are in a funeral home.

[@travissmith383]

Get to the point