Below is a complete, step-by-step, highly detailed guide for Topic 3: How to Draw a Chandelier Lamp Symbol Using AutoCAD, including one reference to AutoCAD as required.

I have also included an image group to visually support students on what chandelier symbols look like in drafting standards.

 

7

Lighting symbols in architectural and electrical drawings must follow drafting conventions. A chandelier symbol usually appears as a multi-arm circular symbol, representing a decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture.

This guide walks learners through drawing the symbol manually using AutoCAD, ensuring they understand geometry construction, layer standards, annotation, and block creation.

1. Before You Start: Setting Up

1.1 Create Proper Layers

Create a new layer for lighting symbols:

1. Type LAYER → ENTER

2. Click New Layer

3. Set:

   • Name: EL_LIGHTING_SYMBOL

   • Color: Yellow (or per institution standard)

   • Lineweight: 0.20 mm

4. Click Set Current

This ensures your chandelier symbol follows professional drafting standards.

2. Chandelier Symbol Geometry Breakdown

A chandelier symbol typically contains:

• A main circle representing the fixture body

• Radial arms (3–6 arms depending on design)

• A center point indicating installation point

• Optional: small circles representing bulbs

We will draw a 6-arm chandelier with bulb tips.

3. Step-by-Step Drawing Guide

STEP 1: Draw the Main Body Circle

1. Type CIRCLE → ENTER

2. Specify center point:

   • Click any point OR type coordinates (e.g., 0,0)

3. Specify radius:

   • Type 150 (or 100–200 mm depending on symbol size)

This forms the central body of the chandelier.

STEP 2: Draw the Center Mark

1. Type POINT → ENTER

2. Snap to the exact center of the circle

3. If the point is too small:

   • Type DDPTYPE

   • Choose Cross/X symbol

   • Set size to 5 or 10

This marks the installation point on the ceiling.

STEP 3: Draw the First Arm

1. Type LINE → ENTER

2. Snap to the center

3. Drag horizontally to the right

4. Type length:

   • 250 → ENTER

This becomes the first chandelier arm.

STEP 4: Create 5 More Arms (Using Polar Array)

1. Select the arm line

2. Type ARRAYPOLAR → ENTER

3. Select center of the main body circle

4. Set:

   • Number of items: 6

   • Angle to fill: 360

5. Click OK

You now have 6 evenly spaced arms.

STEP 5: Draw Lamp Bulb Circles at Arm Tips

1. Type CIRCLE → ENTER

2. Snap to endpoint of one arm

3. Radius: 30 (or appropriate size)

Then:

4. Select bulb circle

5. Type ARRAYPOLAR again

6. Use same center

7. Number of items: 6

Now each arm has a bulb indicator.

STEP 6: Add Decorative Ring (Optional)

To enhance the symbol:

1. Type OFFSET → ENTER

2. Select main body circle

3. Offset distance:

   • 20 mm outward

4. Creates concentric ring → a more decorative chandelier look

STEP 7: Add Symbol Annotation (Optional)

1. Type TEXT or MTEXT

2. Place the text below the symbol

3. Enter label:

   • CH (standard abbreviation for chandelier)

   • or full: Chandelier Light

Use height: 150–200 mm depending on drawing scale.

STEP 8: Convert to Block for Reuse

1. Type BLOCK → ENTER

2. Block Name:

   • EL_CHANDELIER_6ARM

3. Select base point:

   • Center of the symbol

4. Select objects:

   • The entire chandelier symbol

5. Choose: Convert to Block

Click OK.

Your chandelier symbol is now reusable.

4. Recommended Variants Students Can Produce

You may include these versions for extended practice:

Variant A: 3-arm chandelier

• Use polar array with 3 items

• Smaller radius arms

Variant B: 8-arm chandelier

• Use polar array with 8 items

Variant C: Modern chandelier

• Replace bulbs with rectangles

• Add dual offset rings

Variant D: Simple symbol

• Only a circle + cross + two small arcs (fast drafting version)

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

6. Final Output (What Students Should Produce)

A clean chandelier symbol containing:

• Central circle

• 6 evenly spaced arms

• 6 bulb circles

• Optional decorative ring

• Annotation “CH”

• Saved as block: EL_CHANDELIER_6ARM