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Lamp Symbol: Indicator, Load & Lighting Plans
Read the circle-with-a-cross lamp symbol as a circuit load, and distinguish it from an indicator lamp, a lighting outlet or a luminaire on a plan.
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- Read the circle-with-a-cross lamp symbol as a circuit load, and distinguish it from an indicator lamp, a lighting outlet or a luminaire on a plan.
- Original symbol illustrations, a reading check and feedback for learning.
What does this symbol mean?
In basic circuit and schematic drawings a lamp is commonly a circle with a cross or X inside, connected in the conductor path. It represents a load that converts electrical energy into light and heat; it does not identify a lamp type, wattage or fitting.
On a building plan, lighting is usually shown with different notation: a circle with a cross, a small circle with a tail, or a symbol plus a fixture tag that refers to a lighting schedule. Identify the drawing type and legend before assigning a device.
See the symbol
How to read it in context
- Confirm whether the sheet is a basic circuit, a schematic or a building plan, then locate the legend note for that symbol.
- Read the designator or tag beside the symbol and any wattage, lamp type or luminaire callout.
- Trace the circuit to see whether the lamp is the main load or an indicator in a control circuit.
Common look-alikes and mistakes
- A circle with a cross can mean a lamp, an indicator or a lighting outlet depending on the drawing convention; the legend decides.
- Lamp and luminaire are not interchangeable in every document; the fixture schedule controls the actual product.
- The symbol states no voltage, wattage, colour temperature or driver type.
- A schematic lamp symbol is a function on paper, not a wiring or installation instruction.
Try the symbol-reading check
A basic circuit shows a circle with an X, connected in series with a cell and a switch. What does the symbol represent?
Check answer and feedback
It represents the lamp as the circuit load in this drawing. It does not establish the physical fitting, voltage or wattage; check the legend, notes and schedule before identifying the real device.
Standards, sources and related symbols
These are independently drawn teaching diagrams. They help you read a drawing, but the project legend, applicable standard and equipment documentation control the actual meaning. Editorial source check: 29 October 2026.
- IEC 60617 — graphical symbols for diagrams
- IEC 60617 — graphical symbols for diagrams
- US Department of Energy — Engineering Symbology, Prints, and Drawings
- Electrical Drawing Symbols: 4 Core Diagram Types
- Battery Symbol: Cells, Multi-Cell Notation & Polarity
- Switch Symbol in Electrical Schematics & Floor Plans
- Outlet Symbol (Receptacle) in Electrical Drawings
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