Lighting Symbols: BS EN 60617 reference for UK electricians
Every lighting symbol used on UK electrical drawings — pendant to high bay, plus emergency lighting and exit signs to BS 5266 and BS EN 1838 — drawn to BS EN 60617.
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Key Takeaways
1Lighting symbols on UK drawings indicate fitting type, mounting (surface, recessed, suspended) and connection point — typically labelled with circuit reference and switch designation.
2Emergency light symbols differentiate maintained (lit in normal use) from non-maintained (illuminates only on mains failure). BS 5266-1 requires monthly function tests + annual 3-hour duration tests.
3Exit sign symbols to BS EN 1838 indicate the direction of escape — always mounted above doors on escape routes and at every change of direction.
4Fire-rated downlight symbols are required where the downlight breaches a fire-rated ceiling, such as flats, loft conversions, and ceilings between dwellings.
5Elec-Mate generates correct BS EN 60617 lighting symbols on every circuit drawing, emergency lighting layout and certificate.
01 · Symbol Reference
Lighting Symbols — Complete Symbol Set
Below are every lighting symbols on the Elec-Mate symbol library, drawn to BS EN 60617. Right-click any symbol to save the SVG, or use the AI Diagram Builder to drag them directly into a circuit drawing.
Pendant Light
A ceiling-mounted light suspended on a flex or chain from a rose. The most common domestic light fitting — drawn as a circle with a cross.
Used in: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, hallways; the default UK domestic light point.
A flush-mounted ceiling light — the fitting sits directly against the ceiling rather than suspended. Common in kitchens, bathrooms and low-ceiling rooms.
Used in: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways with low ceilings, loft conversions.
A recessed downlight set into the ceiling void. Fire-rated downlights are required where they breach a fire-rated ceiling (e.g. flats, loft conversions, above habitable rooms).
Used in: Kitchens, bathrooms (zone-rated), corridors, retail; the modern UK lighting default.
A robust enclosed light fitting designed for outdoor or utility use. Typically IP65 with a polycarbonate diffuser. Common with integrated PIR sensor for security.
Used in: External walls, garages, sheds, plant rooms, communal stairwells.
An external light fitting, typically IP44 or higher. Includes wall lights, post lights, ground-mounted spike spots, soffit downlights and porch lights.
Used in: Front and rear of houses, gardens, pathways, garages; usually with PIR or photocell control.
A passive infrared sensor that detects movement and switches connected lights on. Separate from a PIR switch — the sensor is the input to a relay or control module.
Used in: Security lighting, corridors with extended throw, large rooms with multiple zones.
A non-maintained emergency light to BS 5266. Off in normal use; switches on automatically when the mains supply fails. Tested monthly and annually per BS 5266-1.
Used in: Escape routes, stairwells, plant rooms, kitchens, places of assembly.
A self-contained emergency luminaire with two adjustable spotlights and an internal battery. Provides high-output emergency illumination of escape routes on mains failure.
Used in: Open-plan offices, retail floors, plant rooms, warehouses, large halls.
A maintained or non-maintained emergency exit sign to BS EN 1838. Indicates the direction of escape; runs on battery during mains failure for at least 3 hours per BS 5266.
Used in: Above doors on escape routes, change-of-direction points, top of staircases.
A linear fluorescent or LED-batten fitting. Most modern installations now use LED battens — same symbol applies. Lamp length specified separately (typically 1.2 m or 1.5 m).
A linear LED tape or strip light. Requires a constant-voltage driver (usually 12 V or 24 V DC). Often dimmable via the driver or via 0-10V / DALI control.
A high-output LED or HID light fitting designed for high-ceiling industrial spaces (typically 6-15 m mounting height). Wide-beam or narrow-beam reflectors depending on layout.
Used in: Warehouses, factories, gymnasiums, indoor sports halls, large retail spaces.
Every lighting symbol used on UK electrical drawings — pendant to high bay, plus emergency lighting and exit signs to BS 5266 and BS EN 1838 — drawn to BS EN 60617.
Each symbol is drawn to BS EN 60617 — the UK adoption of the international IEC 60617 standard for graphical symbols on electrical diagrams. The same symbols appear on EICR forms, distribution board schedules, single-line schematics and installation layout drawings.
Looking for symbols in a different category? See the full BS EN 60617 symbol library covering switches, sockets, lighting, distribution, safety, containment, equipment, mechanical, renewables, controls and architectural symbols.
Use these symbols in real drawings
The Elec-Mate AI Diagram Builder gives you every BS EN 60617 symbol on a draggable canvas — perfect for circuit diagrams, certificate schedules…
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