Electrical Symbols

An electrical symbol is a graphical representation used to represent electrical components or

devices in schematic diagrams or circuit diagrams. These symbols are standardized and
universally recognized, making it easier for engineers, technicians, and electricians to
understand and interpret electrical plans.

Wires Symbols

Symbol Name Description

Electrical Wire It is the symbol that is used to represent a wire.

Connected Wires This Symbol represents the wire connected crossing.

This Symbol shows that wires are not connected on

Not Connect Wires
crossing.

Switches Symbols

Symbol Name Description

It is the symbol of a switch that disconnects current when

SPST Toggle Switch
open.

SPDT Toggle Switch This Symbol of switch selects between two connections.
 It is a symbol that denotes Momentary switch - normally
Push Button (N.O)
open.

Push Button Switch This denotes the symbol of a Momentary switch - normally
(N.C) closed.

It is the symbol of the DIP switch which is used for onboard

DIP Switch
configuration.

Relays

Symbol Name Description

SPST Relay This shows the symbol of relay that close connection by an
electromagnet.
 This shows the symbol of relay that open connection by an
SPDT Relay
electromagnet.

Earthing

Symbol Name Description

This Symbol is used for zero potential reference and electrical

Earth Ground
shock protection.

This symbol shows the wire Connected to the chassis of the

Chassis Ground
circuit.

Digital Ground It refers to the reference voltage of digital-analog if.

Inductors

Symbol Name Description

Inductor Symbol of a Coil / solenoid that generates a magnetic field.

It is the symbol of the iron core Inductor Which Includes

Iron Core Inductor
iron.

Variable Inductor It is the coil or solenoid that has a Variable magnetic field.

Motor and Transformer

Symbol Name Description

Motor Symbol of motor, which changes electric energy to kinetic

energy.
 Transformer changes AC voltage from high to low or low to
AC Transformer
high.

2.2 Electronics Symbols

An electronic symbol is a graphical representation used to represent electronic components or

devices specifically in electronic circuits. Electronic symbols are similar to electrical symbols but
are more specific to electronic components such as transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, and
other electronic devices.

Resistance

Symbol Name Description

Variable It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor which has 2

Resistance terminals.

Potentiometer It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor that has 3 terminals.

Trimmer Resistor It is the symbol of a trimmer which is also known as a Preset

 resistor.

It is the symbol of a Thermal resistor that changes the

Thermistor
resistance when temperature changes.

It is the symbol of Photo-resistor - change resistance with

Photoresistor
light intensity change.

Diode

Symbol Description

Diode allows current flow in one direction only - left (anode) to

the right (cathode).

It allows current flow in one direction, but also can flow in the
reverse direction when above breakdown volt.

Schottky diode is a diode with a low voltage drop.

This represents the varicap diode. Variable capacitance diode.

 LED emits light when current flows through it.

This is the symbol of Photodiode that allows current flow when

exposed to light.

Capacitor

Symbol Name Description

Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as a short

Capacitor
circuit with AC and an open circuit with DC.

Variable
The Symbol represent the adjustable capacitance.
Capacitor

Sources

Symbol Name Description

Voltage Source It is the symbol of a voltage Source which generates

constant voltage.
 It is the symbol of a current Source which generates
Current Source
constant current.

AC Voltage Source This symbol shows the AC Voltage Source.

Battery Cell It is the symbol of single cell use to generate constant volt.

It is the symbol of a battery which is the combination of two

Battery
or more cells.
 Controlled Voltage It is the symbol of a constant voltage Source that gives
Source controllable voltage at the output.

Controlled Current It represents the controlled Current source which gives

Source controllable current at the output.

Meter Symbols

Symbol Name Description

It is the symbol that shows Voltmeter which is used to

Voltmeter
measure the voltage.

It represents the ammeter whose work is to measure the

Ammeter
current in the circuit.

Ohmmeter It is the symbol of the ohmmeter which is needed to measure

the value of a resistor.
 This represents the power meter which shows the power
Wattmeter
consumption.

Converter and Amplifier Symbols

Symbol Name Description

Operational Amplifier This operational gives Amplify input signal.

Analog to Digital This is the symbol of ATD converts analog signal to

Converter digital numbers.

Digital to Analog This is the symbol of DTA converts digital numbers to

Converter analog signals.
Transistors Symbols

Utility Symbols

Symbol Name Description

BUZZER Produce a buzzing sound when current flows through it.

Electric Bell This is the symbol of Bell which Rings when activated.

The fuse disconnects when the current is above the threshold---

Fuse
used to protect a circuit from high currents.

The bus symbol contains several wires. Usually for

Bus
data/address.

Loudspeaker Convert electrical signals to sound waves.

 Microphone Microphone Converts sound waves to the electrical signal.

This is the symbol of a lamp that glows when current flows

Lamp/Light Bulb
through it.

Series connection
 The same current flows through all components

 Resistance increases as more components are added

 Potential difference is shared between components

 An example is a string of decorative lights, where all the bulbs are connected in series
A parallel connection is when components are connected across each other's leads, allowing
current to flow through multiple paths.

How it works

 Each component has the same voltage across it.

 The total current is the sum of the currents through each component.

 If one component breaks, the others can still operate.

Types of Electrical Drawing and Diagrams In Electrical and Electronics Engineering, we use
different types of drawings or diagrams to represent a certain electrical system or circuit. These
electrical circuits are represented by lines to represent wires and symbols or icons to represent
electrical and electronic components. It helps in better understanding the connection between
different components. Electricians rely on electrical floor plan (which is also an electrical
diagram) for carrying out any building wiring. Engineers use various types of electrical drawings
to highlight certain aspects of the system but the physical circuit and its function still remains
the same. Some of these electrical drawings or diagrams have been described below:

simplest form of electrical drawing as it only highlights the function of each component and

provides the flow of process in the system.

Schematics Circuit Diagram

The schematic diagram of an electrical circuit shows the complete electrical connections
between

components using their symbols and lines. Unlike wiring diagram, it does not specify the real

location of the components, the line between the components does not represent real distance

between them.

it helps in showing the series and parallel connection between the components and the exact

terminal connection between them. One can easily troubleshoot certain schematic by applying

electronic circuit theory.

It is the most common type of electrical drawing and are mostly used in implementing electrical

circuits by technician. Most engineering student rely of schematic diagram while developing

various electrical projects.

Wiring diagram shows a pictorial view of the components such that it resembles its electrical

connection, arrangement and position in real circuit. It really helps in showing the
interconnections
Pictorial Diagram

The pictorial diagram does not necessarily represent the actual circuit. In fact it shows the visual

appearance of the circuit in real time. it cannot be used to understand or troubleshoot the
actual

circuit and for this reason alone, it is not commonly used. For someone with less knowledge of

electrical, it is impossible to understand how the circuit works and diagnose it.
Ladder Diagram or Line Diagram:

Ladder diagram are electrical diagrams that represents an electrical circuit in industries to

document control logic systems. It resembles a ladder which is why it is named ladder diagram.

There are two vertical lines; the left vertical line represents power rail (voltage source) while the

right vertical line represents the ground or neutral. Each horizontal row represents a parallel
circuit

called rung.

A ladder diagram is simple, easier to understand and helps in troubleshooting the circuit quickly.