Blueprint & Schematic Interpretation Flashcards

On an electrical schematic, what does a dashed line between two components typically represent?

Answer: A mechanical linkage or association

Dashed lines on schematics indicate a mechanical linkage, enclosure boundary, or non-electrical association between components.

A blueprint dimension shown as '4'-6"' means the measurement is:

Answer: 4 feet 6 inches

The foot-inch notation uses an apostrophe for feet and quotation mark for inches, so 4'-6" equals 4 feet and 6 inches.

Which view in a set of blueprints shows the building from above looking straight down?

Answer: Plan view

A plan view (floor plan) is a horizontal cut through the structure viewed from above, showing layout and dimensions.

On a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID), what does a circle with a letter-number tag represent?

Answer: An instrument or control device

Tagged circles (bubbles) on a P&ID represent instruments such as transmitters, indicators, controllers, or recorders.

When a blueprint note reads 'NTS,' it means:

Answer: Not to scale

NTS stands for 'Not to Scale,' warning the reader that the drawing dimensions should not be measured directly from the printed image.

A section view on a blueprint is created by:

Answer: Cutting through the object and viewing the exposed interior

A section view imagines slicing the object along a cutting-plane line and then viewing the exposed cross-section.

On a schematic diagram, the symbol for a normally open (NO) push-button switch shows:

Answer: An open gap between two contact lines with an actuator arrow

A normally open push-button has separated contact lines (open gap) and an arrow or actuator symbol indicating it closes only when pressed.