what does this symbol mean?
NCS A circle with two parallel lines through it

Duplex receptacle

A standard wall outlet with two sockets. The symbol marks where the outlet is on the wall.

This explains what a symbol represents on a drawing. Conventions vary between firms and standards, and a drawing's own legend takes precedence.

How to read it

NECA 100, the National Electrical Contractors Association's symbol standard, lists it as a duplex convenience receptacle, 20 A, 125 V. The Army's print-reading manual lists it after the single outlet, and its sample electrical plan for a storage area includes duplex wall outlets.

Also searched as: duplex outlet, outlet symbol, power outlet.

Look-alikes

The same symbol with the letters GFCI is a GFCI receptacle.

Differences by country or standard

NECA 100 covers North American symbols only. It does not include the symbols of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

More blueprint symbols

Sources

Last reviewed September 24, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research

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