Range Hood Symbol
Definition: The Range Hood symbol represents an electrically powered kitchen exhaust ventilation appliance that captures cooking vapours, grease, and odours at the cooktop and exhausts them outdoors or filters and recirculates them, depicted in residential electrical wiring diagrams as a trapezoidal hood outline with internal light indicators and Hot and Neutral supply connections per NEC (NFPA 70) and ANSI Y32.2 wiring diagram conventions.
Also known as: kitchen exhaust fan, cooktop hood, vent hood, over-range exhaust, range exhaust fan, kitchen ventilation hood.
What the Range Hood symbol means
The Range Hood symbol in a residential electrical wiring diagram indicates the location and electrical connection of a kitchen range hood — an appliance that draws 120 V or 240 V AC power to operate an exhaust fan motor and one or more incandescent, halogen, or LED lights above the cooktop.
The symbol communicates to electricians that a dedicated or shared circuit supplies the range hood, that a specific ampacity and wire gauge are required, and that the appliance is a permanently installed fixed appliance subject to NEC Article 422 (Appliances) and IRC kitchen ventilation requirements. The range hood symbol distinguishes this load from a standard lighting outlet or receptacle because it is a combination motor-plus-lighting load with specific code requirements.
How to identify the Range Hood symbol
The range hood symbol is drawn as a trapezoid or inverted-triangle hood outline (wider at the top, narrowing toward the cooktop), with the horizontal upper edge and slanted lower edges forming the hood profile. Two small circles inside the upper portion represent the indicator lamps or spotlights. A short vertical line exits the top centre of the hood outline (Hot supply) and a second vertical line exits the bottom (Neutral return). The overall profile mimics the physical shape of a range hood as viewed from the front in a wall-elevation wiring diagram.
Function in a circuit
A range hood contains a centrifugal or axial fan motor that draws cooking vapours upward through the hood intake and discharges them outdoors via ductwork (ducted type) or passes them through charcoal grease filters before recirculating clean air into the kitchen (ductless type). The fan operates at multiple speeds (typically two or three) controlled by a mechanical or electronic switch. The integral task lighting — usually 20–60 W halogen or 5–15 W LED — illuminates the cooktop surface. Many modern range hoods include a speed control, auto-start on heat detection, delay-off timer, and grease filter saturation indicator.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60617 does not define a specific range hood symbol; the device is represented as a general motor load or appliance symbol per IEC 60617-06. IEC 60335-2-31 (Household and similar electrical appliances — Particular requirements for range hoods) governs the appliance safety standard. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315-1975 covers general appliance and motor load symbols used in residential wiring diagrams. NEC NFPA 70 Article 422 (Appliances) and Article 210 (Branch Circuits) govern range hood wiring requirements. UL 507 (Standard for Electric Fans) and UL 858 (Range Hoods) are the applicable product safety standards in North America. |
| Key difference | IEC and ANSI/IEEE use similar trapezoid appliance block symbols for range hoods in wiring diagrams. NEC Article 422 provides North American installation requirements; IEC 60335-2-31 governs international requirements. The schematic symbol is essentially identical across both traditions. |
Terminals / pins
| Pin | Name |
|---|---|
| hot | Hot |
| neutral | Neutral |
Typical values
Supply voltage: 120 V AC single-phase (residential). Power consumption: 60–400 W (fan + lights combined). Fan motor: 50–300 W, typically 1/25 to 1/4 hp. Circuit: 15 A or 20 A branch circuit per NEC 422.10. Airflow: 150–1000 CFM. Noise level: 1–8 Sones. Wire: 14 AWG (15 A circuit) or 12 AWG (20 A circuit) THWN.
Where the Range Hood symbol is used
- Residential kitchen cooking station ventilation above gas ranges, electric cooktops, and induction cooktops
- Commercial kitchen exhaust systems (Type I hoods with grease filters above fryers and grills; Type II above dishwashers and ovens)
- Over-the-range microwave-combination units with integrated ventilation and lighting
- Island kitchen configurations requiring ceiling-mount or suspended island range hoods
- Outdoor kitchen BBQ stations requiring weather-rated exhaust fans for covered cooking areas
- Medical and laboratory fume hood circuits in hospital and laboratory electrical plans
Example
In a kitchen renovation electrical plan, the range hood symbol is shown at the wall above the 30-inch gas range, with Hot connected to a 15 A single-pole breaker in the kitchen sub-panel and Neutral to the neutral bar, routed in 14/2 NM-B cable in the wall cavity. The symbol indicates the appliance will be hard-wired (not cord-and-plug connected) per the manufacturer's installation instructions.
Key facts
- The Range Hood symbol is a trapezoid outline with two internal lamp circles and Hot and Neutral connection lines, representing a kitchen exhaust fan and light appliance per ANSI Y32.2 / IEEE 315 wiring diagram conventions.
- Range hoods in North America are supplied by a 120 V AC, 15 A or 20 A branch circuit per NEC Article 422; they may share a small-appliance branch circuit or be on a dedicated circuit as specified by the manufacturer.
- Ducted range hoods exhaust cooking vapours outdoors and provide better air quality; ductless (recirculating) range hoods filter vapours through charcoal and grease filters and recirculate air into the kitchen without ductwork.
- Range hoods contain two separate electrical loads: a fan motor (50–300 W) and task lighting (20–100 W total); these are controlled separately by speed and light switches on the hood.
- UL 858 (Range Hoods) and UL 507 (Electric Fans) are the applicable product safety standards; installation compliance requires NEC Article 422 (Appliances) and local building code ventilation requirements.
- Commercial kitchen range hoods are classified as Type I (for grease-laden vapour above fryers and grills) or Type II (for steam and heat above non-grease appliances) per NFPA 96 and IMC (International Mechanical Code).
- The range hood symbol pins in wiring diagrams are Hot (ungrounded conductor, black wire) and Neutral (grounded conductor, white wire); the equipment ground (green or bare) is implied but shown separately as a ground symbol.
Frequently asked questions
What does the range hood symbol look like in an electrical drawing?
The range hood symbol is a trapezoidal outline (wide at top, narrowing downward) with two small circles inside the upper section representing lights, and two connection lines at the top (Hot) and bottom (Neutral) for the power supply. It visually resembles the profile of a kitchen range hood as seen from the front.
What does the range hood symbol mean in a wiring diagram?
The range hood symbol indicates the electrical connection point for a kitchen exhaust ventilation appliance. It identifies the load type, connection wiring, and circuit supply point so that electricians can correctly wire, size, and protect the range hood circuit per NEC Article 422.
What circuit does a range hood require?
A residential range hood requires a 120 V AC, 15 A or 20 A single-pole branch circuit per NEC Article 422. Many range hoods can share a 20 A small-appliance branch circuit; check the manufacturer's installation instructions for dedicated-circuit requirements. Wire with 14 AWG (15 A) or 12 AWG (20 A) THWN conductors.
What standard governs range hood installation?
NEC NFPA 70 Article 422 (Appliances) governs electrical installation; IRC Section M1503 and IMC govern ventilation and ductwork. Product safety is covered by UL 858 (Range Hoods) for North America and IEC 60335-2-31 for international markets.
What are the electrical connections on a range hood symbol?
The range hood symbol shows two electrical supply connections: Hot (ungrounded conductor, typically black wire) and Neutral (grounded conductor, white wire). A third equipment ground (green or bare copper) is required for safety bonding but may be shown as a separate ground symbol rather than a dedicated pin on the appliance symbol.
What is the difference between a ducted and ductless range hood?
A ducted (vented) range hood exhausts cooking vapours directly outdoors through ductwork, removing grease, smoke, moisture, and odours from the kitchen. A ductless (recirculating) range hood passes air through charcoal and grease filters to remove particles and odours, then returns the filtered air to the kitchen. Ducted hoods are more effective but require duct installation; ductless hoods are easier to install but less effective at removing moisture and heat.
What is the designator used for a range hood in electrical drawings?
Range hoods in electrical drawings are identified by the symbol at their location on the floor plan or elevation diagram, labelled 'RANGE HOOD' or 'RH' with a circuit number (e.g. CKT 12) indicating the branch circuit supplying the appliance. A separate circuit schedule entry lists the circuit breaker size and wire gauge.
Place the Range Hood symbol on a wiring diagram or schematic in the free online circuit diagram maker — no download required.