19d • General discussion
Example of a Common Question
Here’s a perfect example of an issue that came up today:
Someone was editing a drawing they had been given, and the wires were simply drawn running into each other—without a node (dot) to show a connection. In another place, the drawing used an angled tee connection symbol instead. This confused them because they have never seen angle tees.
Below is how I explained it to them, and I thought it would be helpful to share here as well.
Understanding Nodes and Wire Junctions in Schematics
In schematic diagrams, a circular dot at the intersection of two or more wires is called a node or junction. It explicitly indicates an electrical connection.
Sometimes, you’ll also see an angled tee section symbol. This is another way to represent a wire junction, and it is often used when the wiring sequence is important. The orientation of this symbol tells the electrician or panel builder the exact order in which wires should be connected.
I’ve attached three example snapshots. All three are valid, but each communicates your wiring intent a little differently.
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Example 1 – Clear, Step-by-Step Guidance
This method is very direct and leaves little room for misinterpretation.
* Wire from terminal 861341 to pin 11 on relay CR86138.
* Add a second wire (or preferably a jumper, when allowed) from pin 11 to pin 21.
* On the right side, do the same—jumper between the two contacts on the selector switch.
* Finally, run a single wire from the switch to terminal 861352.
This approach clearly communicates your intent and avoids confusion.
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Example 2 – Traditional, But Risky (In My Humble Opinion)
This is the most common traditional style and can be drawn slightly faster, but it leaves too much interpretation up to the panel builder.
* The intent is still to wire from terminal 861381 to pin 11 of relay CR86139 , then jumper to pin 21.
* However, because the jumper isn’t explicitly shown, a less experienced builder might interpret this as two separate wires from the terminal —one to pin 11, and another to pin 21.
* The same problem exists on the right side.
This misunderstanding can lead to extra wiring, higher costs, and wasted time. Unless specifically requested, I do not recommend this method.
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Example 3 – Space-Saving, Clear Intent (Some call this IEC style or just 'Old School')
This style is very similar to Example 1, but takes up less drawing space.
* It still directs the builder to wire from the terminal to a single contact and then add a jumper between the two contacts.
* The only drawback is that it takes a few more seconds to draft compared to the traditional dot/junction style.
Even so, this method strikes a good balance between clarity and efficiency.
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✅ Key Takeaway for New Designers:
When drafting schematics, your goal is not just to show connections—it’s to communicate your intent clearly to the panel builder. The extra effort you put into drawing clear junctions can save hours of rework, wiring errors, and miscommunication down the line.
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Example of a Common Question
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