Electrical Symbols

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Posted by James Freeman |
This article helps you learn about electrical symbols. You would learn what electrical symbols are and will show you different types of electrical symbols. Last but not least, we will teach you how to draw a wiring and circuit diagram with multiple electrical icons under a powerful circuit diagram tool! Keep reading!

Part 1: What Are The Electrical Symbols

Electrical symbols are the standard technique to represent an electrical circuit. It makes the graphical representation easier to work on and implement. The electrical symbols represent various components, devices, and functionalities present in a circuit. It helps to show the details of an electrical diagram so that the engineer can adequately plan a circuit before actually working on it.

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Part 2: Types of Electrical Symbols

There are a variety of electrical symbols, including Common electronic symbols, historical electronic symbols. The users can also follow the different standards including, the IEEE standard, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), Std., ANSI, JIC, Australian Standard, and more.

Basic Electrical Symbols
Symbols
Description
Ground or Earth electrode
Ground or Earth electrode

A ground symbol or a ground terminal works as electrical shock protection. It is a zero potential reference point from where an electrician measures the current.

Antenna
Antenna

The antenna is mainly a device or rods that can capture different waves and signals, including electromagnetic waves, electric signals, and more.

Battery
Battery: single cell

A battery symbol has two disjointed and disproportionate parallel lines. The lines are present to signify the series cells in the battery.

Source
Source: constant voltage

The source is a power source for an electronic device when there are plus and minus signs that indicate a DC when it has a wave that signifies AC.

fuse
Fuse

The Fuse protects a circuit from getting burnt by disconnecting it when the current flow through the circuit goes beyond the set limit. The Fuse has a wire which gets melt while the connection gets disconnected.

Inductor
Inductor

An inductor or reactor is like a coil present in a magnetic field or flux to conserve energy.

Motor
Motor

A motor is an electronic device that works on transforming electric energy into a mechanical one.

Bulb

Bulb

A bulb as an electric symbol looks like a circle that has a cross in the middle, and it gives an output by getting light up when a current passes through it.

Transformer
Transformer

Transformers are present in an AC circuit after being coupled by a magnetic flux. They reduce the tension in a circuit by maintaining the frequency.

Coaxial Plug
Coaxial Plug

A coaxial plug in an electrical circuit works as a transmission line. It delivers radio frequency signals and cable television signals. Coaxial plugs in an electrical symbol diagram look like a circle on top of an arrow and another arrow passing through it.

Switch
Switch

Switches are of a diverse variety, for example, single-pole single-throw, pushbutton, dip, relay, and more. A switch connects a circuit when it is closed and disconnects the circuit when open.

Resistor
Resistor

Resistors in an electrical diagram look like wavy lines with pointed ends. The resistors control the current flow in a circuit by dividing voltage, terminating transmission lines, and more.

Capacitor

Capacitor

A capacitor symbol has two terminals with two plates. There is a curved surface having a lower voltage, which identifies a capacitor as polarized.

Diode

Diode

A diode is a device that allows the current flow to a single direction after being polarized with an anode and a cathode side.

Diode LED

Diode LED

The Diode LED looks similar to a usual diode symbol with small arrows that indicate the radiation of light.

Use All Kinds of Electrical Symbols to Draw Schematic Diagrams!

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Wires
Symbols
Description
Electrical Wire
Electrical Wire

A straight line represents the electrical wire or a power line in an electrical diagram, and it works as the conductor of electric current in the circuit diagram.

Not Connected Wire

Not Connected Wire

The Not connected wire shows when in a circuit, there are two unconnected wires. A designer can draw two parallel lines with a half-circle on one line at the middle parts where it bisects the third line to represent not connected wires.

Connected Wire

Connected Wire

Connected wire in a circuit allows the current to travel from one point to another. The connected wire symbol looks like two parallel lines emerging from a two-point while one gets extended. Connected wire represents the connection between two conductors.

Switches
Symbols
Description
SPST Toggle Switch
SPST Toggle Switch

A Single Pole Single Throw switch is an ON/ OFF switch with the poles to stand for the number of poles to connect.

SPDT Toggle Switch

SPDT Toggle Switch

A Single Pole Double Throw Switch lets the current flow in a circuit adjust its position to two directions

Pushbutton Switch (N.O.)
Pushbutton Switch (N.O.)

The Pushbutton Switch that is usually open needs a switch to turn ON. The user needs to push the button to switch it on. Otherwise, it is open.

Pushbutton Switch (N.C.)

Pushbutton Switch (N.C.)

The Pushbutton Switch usually is closed, which means they usually are in the ON stage, and the user needs to release it to turn it OFF.

DIP Switch

DIP Switch

The DIP Switch allows the user to select one from 0 to 5 volts. They are not grounded and therefore require external sources.

spst

SPST Relay

SPST relay has four terminals, two terminals for staying connected or disconnected, while two others are for two coils.

jumper

Jumper

The jumper switch, a small metal connector, works as an ON/OFF Switch, and they are widely used together for the configuration of hardware devices.

Solder Bridge

Solder Bridge

The Solder Bridges serve as permanent switches. When a user solders between the two parts of the bridge, it gets shorted while disconnecting it. They need to desolder it.

spdt

SPDT Relay

SPDT Relay is a way to switch between two circuits and has a coil, a common terminal, a closed terminal, and a normally open terminal if the coil remains closed, the common terminal and the normally closed terminal works.

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Sources/Power Supply symbols
Symbols
Description
AC Supply
AC Supply

The symbol represents AC supply or alternating current supply in a circuit. The current flow continuously changes direction.

DC Supply
DC Supply

DC supply is a supplier of electric energy in a circuit, and the Direct Current has current flow in a single direction.

Constant
Constant

A constant source is an independent current source that is responsible for a constant current flow.

Controlled
Controlled

A controlled current source works while depending on the current input. It is present in an electric circuit to either deliver or absorb current. The symbol has a circle and an arrow sign that shows the current flow.

Voltage Source Controlled
Voltage Source Controlled

A controlled voltage source in a circuit looks like a diamond-shaped quadrilateral with a positive sign and a negative sign. The voltage in the circuit controls the controlled voltage sources.

Single Cell Battery
Single Cell Battery

A single-cell battery in a circuit looks like two unmatched parallel lines, one big and one small, representing one cell.

Multi Cell Battery
Multi Cell Battery

Multicell battery has multiple small and big lines, which represent multiple cells identifying as cathode and anodes.

Generator
Generator

A generator in a circuit acts either as a voltage source or a current source. Moreover, a generator can also fit into a circuit based on this.

Ground
Symbols
Description
Earth Ground
Earth Ground

Earth ground is a zero potential ground that has a potential to conduct to earth.

Chassis Ground
Chassis Ground

Chassis ground protects a user from electric shock by creating a barrier between the user and the circuit.

Common Ground
Common Ground

It is an arbitrary reference point that is relative to the potential of the earth's ground.

Resistor and Varible Resistor
Symbols
Description
Resistor (IEEE)
Resistor (IEEE)

It is a symbol of a fixed resistor and looks like waves with pointed heads and gets connected to two points at the end.

Resistor (IEC)
Resistor (IEC)

The resistor is a two-terminal device, and the IEC standard resistor symbol looks like a bar connected to two points.

Potentiometer (IEEE)
Potentiometer (IEEE)

It is a three-terminal resistor that creates an adjustable voltage in an electrical circuit.

Potentiometer (IEC)
Potentiometer (IEC)

It is a three-terminal resistor that creates an adjustable voltage in an electrical circuit.

Tapped Resistor
Tapped Resistor

Tapped resistor uses one or more terminals in the devices, which are voltage-dividers.

Attentuator
Attentuator

An Attenuator is a circuit dissipating the current flow to step down the voltage.

Memristor
Memristor

A memristor is a semiconductor that works as a joining point for capacitors, inductors, and resistors.

Variable Resitor (IEEE)
Variable Resitor (IEEE)

The device helps to create a variable current by creating a variable resistance.

Preset
Preset

A preset is a component that offers variable resistance to an electrical circuit.

Magneto Resistor
Magneto Resistor

Magneto resistor shows a change in resistance when an external magnetic field affects it.

Variable Resistor (IEC)
Variable Resistor (IEC)

The IEC symbol of a variable resistance has a bar, similar to the symbol of a resistor. However, to show the variable current, there is an arrow.

Trimmer Resistor
Trimmer Resistor

A trimmer resistor or a trim pot adjusts a circuit and helps calibrate a new device.

Thermistor
Thermistor

It is a resistance thermometer dependent on the temperature.

photoresistor
Photoresistor/Light Dependent Resistor(LDR)

It is a device that helps to create resistance by converting light energy or brightness.

Use All Kinds of Electrical Symbols to Draw Circuit Diagrams!

You need EdrawMax Electrical Diagram Maker to design a circuit. All can be done within a minute with various electrical symbols and templates! Give it a shot!

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Capacitor
Symbols
Description
Capacitor
Capacitor

A capacitor is an electrical circuit that looks like a straight line and a half-circle line posed side by side.

Capacitor
Capacitor

To express an unpolarised capacitor in a circuit, the user can use parallel marks with lines going on sides.

Polarized Capacitor
Polarized Capacitor

The polarized Capacitor shows a straight plate and a curved one. The straight plate stands for an anode, while the curved plate is a cathode.

Polarized Capacitor
Polarized Capacitor

Two separate straight lines represent a polarized capacitor while one of them is a cathode and another plate or line signifies an anode.

Variable Capacitor
Variable Capacitor

It is a capacitor that can have its capacity changed mechanically or electronically.

Feed through Capacitor
Feed through Capacitor

A feedthrough capacitor has a dielectric layer and helps in carrying signals through an enclosed path.

Inductors
Symbols
Description
Inductor
Inductor

The Inductor is an electronic device that stores electronic energy as magnetic energy.

Iron Core Inductor
Iron Core Inductor

Iron core inductors have high inductance, and a coil and a rod represent it.

Inductors Ferrite Core
Inductors Ferrite Core

Two dotted lines with a coil help represent a ferrite core inductor, and it is information one must know.

Tapped Inductors Center
Tapped Inductors Center

Center tapped Inductor is an element in a circuit that helps in coupling signals.

Variable Inductor
Variable Inductor

Variable inductors with varied inductance look like an inductor with an arrow to represent its variable nature.

Diode
Symbols
Description
Diode
Diode

This device directs current flow in a single direction.

Zener Diode
Zener Diode

Zener diode is one of the devices that helps to maintain a fixed voltage

Schottky Diode
Schottky Diode

It is a semiconductor with a less forward voltage drop.

Varicap Diode
Varicap Diode

Varicap diodes show a wide range of capacitance, and it depends on the voltage.

Tunnel Diode
Tunnel Diode

It is a semiconductor that creates a negative resistance with the process of tunneling.

Light Emitting Diode
Light Emitting Diode

It is a semiconductor that gets light up when current passes through it.

Photodiode
Photodiode

The Photodiode is a light-sensitive diode.

Shockley Diode
Shockley Diode

This four-layer semiconductor has a PNPN structure.

Thyristor
Thyristor

It is a solid-state semiconductor that works as a bistable switch.

Constant Current Diode
Constant Current Diode

A constant current diode is current-limiting or current-regulating in nature.

Laser Diode
Laser Diode

The laser diode is a semiconductor that converts electrical energy into light.

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Transistor
Symbols
Description
NPN Bipolar Transistor
NPN Bipolar Transistor

An NPN bipolar transistor passes electronics from the emitter point to the collector point.

PNP Bipolar Transistor
PNP Bipolar Transistor

It is a transistor that controls the electron flow from the emitter to the collector.

Darlington Transistor
Darlington Transistor

It is a device that has a compound structure with two bipolar transistors.

JFET-N Transistor
JFET-N Transistor

The JEFT-N transistors use electrons as a carrier of charge in a circuit.

JFET-P Transistor
JFET-P Transistor

The primary formation of its is there with P-type with two small parts of n-type.

NMOS Transistor

The NMOS transistors work by creating an inversion layer of n-type in the p-type body of the transistor.

PMOS Transistor

The PMOS transistors work by creating an inversion layer of the p-type in the transistor's n-type body.

Logic Gates
Symbols
Description
Not Gate
Not Gate

A Not Gate can use only one input and the output in a reverse of the user input.

And Gate
And Gate

The AND Gate can work on two or more inputs, and the outputs can be accurate if the inputs are actual.

NAND GATE
Nand Gate

It can use two or more inputs, delivering accurate outputs unless all the inputs are valid.

OR GATE
Or Gate

"OR Gate" also gets two or more inputs. To have an actual output in OR Gate, at least one of the inputs needs to be true.

NOR GATE
Nor GATE

It is a logic gate with two or more inputs, and none of the input should be confirmed to get the accurate output.

XOR GATE
Xor GATE

It uses two or more inputs, and when they are different, they can generate valid output.

D FLIP-FLOP
D Flip-Flop

A D-Flip-Flop logic gate takes two inputs and two outputs. The two inputs are clock inputs and data input.

multiplexer
Multiplexer

It is a logic gate that channels several inputs into standard single output.

demultiplexer
Demultiplexer (1 TO 4)

It takes one input to develop several digital outputs.

TRI-STATE BUFFER
Tri-state buffer

It is a logic inverter that allows it to produce either an actual or inverted output.

Amplifier
Symbols
Description
BASIC AMPLIFIER
Basic Amplifier

A primary amplifier symbol is a triangle symbol with one input and one output.

OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER
Operational Amplifier

An operational amplifier amplifies weak electric signals, which have two input pins to give a single output pin.

Use All Kinds of Electrical Symbols to Draw Circuit Diagrams!

You need EdrawMax Electrical Diagram Maker to design a circuit. All can be done within a minute with various electrical symbols and templates! Give it a shot!

Switch to Mac > Try It Free
Switch to Linux > Try It Free
Switch to Windows > Try It Free

Antenna
Symbols
Description
antenna
Antenna

It is a generic symbol of an aerial antenna that uses three open ends at the top.

DIPOLE ANTENNA
Dipole Antenna

It uses two conductors of equal lengths and hence looks like two parallel lines.

LOOP ANTENNA
Loop Antenna

It has a loop and works on a regular source.

Transformers
Symbols
Description
transformer
Transformers

To increase or decrease AC voltage, the electricians use transformers. Two coils have wire linked to it.

IRON CORE
Iron Core

It is a transformer that has a single iron core with two coils wound around it.

CENTER TAPPED
Center Tapped

They get used on inductors for the coupling of signals.

Miscellaneous
Symbols
Description
motor
Motor

It is a device that converts electrical energy to kinetic energy.

transformers
Transformers

Transformers look like coils that use a core material.

ELECTRIC BELL
Electric Bell

It is also a device to convert electrical energy to sound.

buzzer
Buzzer

It is a device to convert electrical energy to sound energy.

fuse
Fuse

It is a safety device that melts when there is excessive current flow.

fuse
Fuse

Fuse in a circuit prevents the short circuit by disrupting the current flow.

bus
BUS

Bus in a circuit denotes the power flow.

bus
BUS

The Bus in a circuit works for data or signals.

bus
BUS

The symbol of the Bus may look like a both-sided line with a hollow space within.

octocoupler
Octocoupler

This device used light to transfer signals between two separate circuits.

loudspeaker
Loudspeaker

A Loudspeaker is a device that converts electrical energy to sound.

microphone
Microphone

It is a device that converts sound energy into electrical energy.

bus
Operational amplifier

It amplifies weak signals.

SCHMITT TRIGGER
Schmitt Trigger

It is present in a circuit to convert an analog input to a digital output.

Analog-to-Digital
Analog-to-Digital

It changes an analog input to a digital one.

Digital-to-Analog
Digital-to-Analog

It works to convert the digital signal into an analog one.

Crystal Oscillator
Crystal Oscillator

It uses mechanical resonance to create an electric signal.

Crystal Oscillator
Crystal Oscillator

It uses frequency to form oscillations.

Direct Current
Direct Current

It is a symbol that signifies a single way flow of current.

Light bulb
Light Bulb

Light bulbs show light when current passes through them.

Thermocouple
Thermocouple

It is a sensor for determining the temperature change.

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Part 3: How to Use Electrical Symbols

It is easy for you to create an electrical diagram when you know where to find thousands of electrical symbols. You can watch the video below and learn how to create an electrical circuit diagram. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions of words and pictures step by step.

Wiring and Circuit Diagrams Maker- EdrawMax

The electrical symbols make it easier for the engineers to create an electrical diagram for their work. Though multiple devices make it seem not very easy, the user can work with the online tool, EdrawMax Electrical Diagram Maker, which can offer the user a user-friendly experience. The tool has a library with a wide range of electrical symbols that they can use. There are ready-made templates for inexperienced users to work on, making their work a bit effortless. When the work gets finished, it is easily to export the file in various formats and share it easily with others.

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Step 1: Launch EdrawMax on your computer. An extensive collection of electrical diagram templates can be found in the Electrical Engineering category. Click the icon of Basic Electrical to open the library that includes all symbols for making electrical diagrams.

Engineering Category

Step 2.1: As you are into the workspace of EdrawMax, drag the symbol that you need directly onto the canvas. You can resize the selected symbol by dragging the selection handles. A double-sided arrow shows the direction to which you can move the mouse, and you can only move the symbol when a four-direction arrow appears.

circuit diagram

Step 2.2: You can also change the shape of the symbol via the floating menu/action button. It shows when the symbol is selected or when the pointer is over the symbol. For example, the resistor can have 12 kinds of variations.

Variable Resistor

Step 3: When your electrical diagram is complete, you can export it to JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, HTML with just a single click. So you can share your drawings with people who don't use EdrawMax with no need to looking for ways of converting file formats.

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Wiring and Circuit diagram example

Here is an example of a circuit diagram for a 100-watt power amplifier. There is a signal which passes through several capacitors and amplifiers, and as the signal passes through them, it gets amplified. The output device in the circuit is a loudspeaker.

Wiring and Circuit diagram example

Part 4: More Electrical Symbols

bulbCircuit Schematic Symbols

bulbLogic Gate Symbols

bulbSwitch Symbols

bulbSemiconductor Symbols

bulbTransmission Path Symbols

bulbQualifying Symbols

bulbIntegrated Circuit Component Symbols

bulbTerminal and Connector Symbols

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