Electronics and Electrical Symbols
Electrical symbols are a graphical representation of basic electrical and
electronic devices or components. These Symbols are used in circuit and
electrical diagrams to recognize a component. It is also called a schematic
symbol. Each component has typical functionality according to its operational
characteristics.
An electronic circuit or schematic drawing uses a wired path between electronic
components to complete the circuit. These components are represented by
respective symbols for it.
Electrical and electronic symbols used in circuits are defined with various
national and international standards. E.g. IEC standard, JIC standard, ANSI
standard, IEEE standard, etc.,
Though electrical symbols are standardized, may vary from country to country,
or engineering disciplines, based on traditional conventions.
This enables anyone to read electrical circuits or Electrical schematic diagrams
and floor plans with ease and clarity.
Electrical symbols represent the components of electrical and electronic circuits
and do not define any function or process unless the circuit is implemented with
components being physically used. (E.g. the circuit on breadboard or assembled
printed circuit board)
There is a circuit symbol for each, and every electrical component or device
used in a circuit such as passive components, active components, measuring
instruments, logic gates, etc.
A few electronic symbols that can be used in the circuit diagrams are given
below for reference:
Wire Symbols
Electrical wire
Connected wires
Not Connected wires
Ground Symbols
Earth Ground
Chassis Ground
Digital/Common Ground
Inductor/Coil Symbols
Inductor
Iron Core Inductor
Variable Inductor
Definition of an Inductor: It is a device that temporarily stores energy in the
form of a magnetic field.
Lamp/Light Bulb Symbols
Lamp / light bulb
Lamp / light bulb
Lamp / light bulb
Switch and Relay Symbols
SPST Toggle Switch
SPDT Toggle Switch
Jumper
DIP Switch
Pushbutton Switch (N.C)
Pushbutton Switch (N.O)
SPST Relay/SPDT Relay
Solder Bridge
Definition of a Relay: It controls circuits by opening and closing contacts in
another circuit. Relays switches are used to open and close circuits
electromechanically or electronically.
Resistor Symbols
Resistor (IEEE)/ Resistor (IEC)
Potentiometer (IEEE)/(IEC)
Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEEE)/(IEC)
Trimmer Resistor
Thermistor
Photoresistor / Light-dependent resistor (LDR)
Definition of a Resistor: As the name suggests, they resist the flow of
excessive electrical power or voltage passing through the circuit, in a precise
and controlled manner.
Capacitor Symbols
Capacitor
Polarized Capacitor
Variable Capacitor
Definition of a Capacitor: It is a device that is used to store electrical energy
in an electric field. It is a passive electronic component.
Antenna Symbols
Antenna / aerial
Antenna / aerial
Dipole Antenna
Definition of an Antenna: It is an electrical device that converts electric
power into radio waves and vice versa.
Power Supply Symbols
Voltage Source/ Current Source
Battery Cell/ Battery
Controlled voltage source/Controlled Current source
AC voltage source/Generator
Meter Symbols
Voltmeter/Ammeter
Ohmmeter/Wattmeter
Diode/LED Symbols
Diode/Zener Diode
Tunnel Diode/Light Emitting Diode
Schottky Diode/Varicap Diode
Photodiode
Definition of a LED: It is a semiconductor device that emits light when an
electric current is passed through it.
Transistor Symbols
NPN Bipolar Transistor/ PNP Bipolar Transistor
NMOS/PMOS Transistor
JFET-N Transistor/ JFET-P Transistor
Darlington Transistor
Definition of a Transistor: It is a semiconductor device used to amplify or
switch electronic signals and electrical power.
Miscellaneous Symbols
Motor/ Transformer
Fuse
Electric bell/Buzzer
Microphone / Loudspeaker
Op-amp /Schmitt trigger
Bus
Bus
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
Optocoupler
Crystal Oscillator
Logic Gate Symbols
AND /NAND Gate
XOR Gate / NOT Gate
OR /NOR Gate
D flip flop /Multiplexer(MUX) 2 to 1
