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 discipline, 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 is 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
Very nice explanation…thanks
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