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Electrical and Electronics Symbols, their Types and Applications

Introduction

• Definition of Electrical and Electronics Symbols
• Importance of Electrical and Electronics Symbols

Types of Electrical and Electronics Symbols

• Wire Symbols
• Switch Symbols and Relay Symbols
• Ground Symbols
• Resistor Symbols
• Capacitor Symbols
• Inductor / Coil Symbols
• Power Supply Symbols
• Meter Symbols
• Lamp / Light Bulb Symbols
• Diode / LED Symbols

Wire Symbols

• Electrical Wire
• Connected Wires
• Not Connected Wires

Switch Symbols and Relay Symbols

• SPST Toggle Switch
• SPDT Toggle Switch
• Pushbutton Switch (N.O)
• Pushbutton Switch (N.C)
• DIP Switch
• SPST Relay
• SPDT Relay
• Jumper
• Solder Bridge

Ground Symbols

• Earth Ground
• Chassis Ground
• Digital / Common Ground

Resistor Symbols

• Resistor (IEEE)
• Resistor (IEC)
• Potentiometer (IEEE)
• Potentiometer (IEC)
• Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEEE)
• Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEC)
• Trimmer Resistor
• Thermistor
• Photoresistor / Light-dependent resistor (LDR)

Capacitor Symbols

• Capacitor
• Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor
• Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor
• Variable Capacitor

Inductor / Coil Symbols

• Inductor Coil/solenoid that generates a magnetic field
• Iron Core Inductor Includes iron
• Variable Inductor

Power Supply Symbols

• Voltage Source Generates constant voltage
• Current Source Generates continuous current.
• AC Voltage Source AC voltage source
• The mechanical rotation of the generator generates Generator Electrical voltage. The Battery Cell Generates constant voltage.

Meter Symbols

Voltmeter Measures voltage. Has very high resistance. Connected in parallel. Ammeter Measures electric current. Has near zero resistance. Connected serially. Ohmmeter Measures resistance. Wattmeter Measures electric power

Lamp / Light Bulb Symbols

Lamp/light bulb Generates light when current flows through

Diode / LED Symbols

The diode allows current flow in one direction only – left (anode) to the right (cathode). Zener Diode Allows current flow in one direction but also can flow in the reverse direction when above the breakdown voltage

Here is the article:

Electrical and Electronics Symbols

Electrical and electronic symbols are used to represent electrical and electronic components in a schematic diagram. These symbols are essential for drawing circuit diagrams, which are used to design, build, and troubleshoot electrical and electronic circuits.

Introduction

Electrical and electronic symbols are pictograms that represent electrical and electronic components such as wires, batteries, resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, LEDs, switches, relays, meters, lamps, bulbs, etc. These symbols create schematic diagrams showing how these components are connected to form a circuit.

The importance of electrical and electronic symbols cannot be overstated. They provide a standardized way of representing electrical and electronic components in a schematic diagram. This makes it easier for engineers, technicians, students, and hobbyists to understand how circuits work.

Types of Electrical and Electronics Symbols

There are many types of electrical and electronic symbols. Some of the most common ones are:

Wire Symbols

Wire symbols represent electrical wires that conduct electricity from one component to another. There are three types of wire symbols:

1. Electrical Wire: This symbol represents a conductor of electrical current.
2. Connected Wires: This symbol represents connected crossing wires.
3. Not Connected Wires: This symbol represents wires that are not connected.

Switch Symbols and Relay Symbols

Switch symbols and relay symbols represent switches and relays that control the flow of electricity in a circuit. Some common switch symbols and relay symbols are:

1. SPST Toggle Switch: This symbol represents a switch that disconnects current when open.
2. SPDT Toggle Switch: This symbol represents a switch that selects between two connections.
3. Pushbutton Switch (N.O.): This symbol represents a momentary switch that is normally open.
4. Pushbutton Switch (N.C): This symbol represents a momentary switch that is normally closed.
5. DIP Switch: This symbol represents a switch that is used for onboard configuration.
6. SPST Relay: This symbol represents a relay that opens or closes a connection by an electromagnet.
7. SPDT Relay: This symbol represents a relay with two positions.
8. Jumper: This symbol represents a close connection by jumper insertion on pins.
9. Solder Bridge: This symbol represents solder to close connection.

Ground Symbols

Ground symbols represent different types of ground connections in a circuit. Some common ground symbols are:

1. Earth Ground: This symbol represents the Earthing of Electrical Equipment.
2. Chassis Ground: This symbol represents a connection to the metal frame of a device.
3. Digital / Common Ground: This symbol represents a connection to the ground of a digital circuit.

4. Resistor Symbols

   Resistor symbols represent resistors that limit the flow of electricity in a circuit. Some common resistor symbols are:

   1. Resistor (IEEE): This symbol represents a fixed resistor.
   2. Resistor (IEC): This symbol represents a fixed resistor.
   3. Potentiometer (IEEE): This symbol represents a variable resistor.
   4. Potentiometer (IEC): This symbol represents a variable resistor.
   5. Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEEE): This symbol represents a variable resistor.
   6. Variable Resistor / Rheostat (IEC): This symbol represents a variable resistor.
   7. Trimmer Resistor: This symbol represents an adjustable resistor.
   8. Thermistor: This symbol represents a temperature-dependent resistor.
   9. Photoresistor / Light-dependent resistor (LDR): This symbol represents a light-dependent resistor.

   Capacitor Symbols

   Capacitor symbols represent capacitors that store electrical charge in a circuit. Some common capacitor symbols are:

   1. Capacitor: This symbol represents a capacitor.
   2. Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor: This symbol represents an electrolytic capacitor.
   3. Polarized Capacitor Electrolytic capacitor: This symbol represents an electrolytic capacitor.
   4. Variable Capacitor: This symbol represents a variable capacitor.

   Inductor / Coil Symbols

   Inductor/coil symbols represent inductors that store energy in a magnetic field in a circuit. Some common inductor/coil symbols are:

   1. Inductor Coil/solenoid that generates magnetic field: This symbol represents an inductor coil or solenoid that produces a magnetic field.
   2. Iron Core Inductor Includes iron: This symbol represents an iron core inductor that includes iron.
   3. Variable Inductor: This symbol represents a variable inductor.

   Power Supply Symbols

   Power supply symbols represent power sources that provide electrical energy to a circuit. Some common power supply symbols are:

   1. Voltage Source Generates constant voltage: This symbol represents a voltage source that generates constant voltage.
   2. Current Source Generates constant current.: This symbol represents a current source that generates constant current.
   3. AC Voltage Source AC voltage source: This symbol represents an AC voltage source.
   4. Generator Electrical voltage is generated by mechanical rotation of the generator: This symbol represents an electrical generator that generates electrical voltage by mechanical rotation of the generator.
   5. Battery Cell Generates constant voltage: This symbol represents a battery cell that generates constant voltage.

   Meter Symbols

   Meter symbols measure electrical quantities such as voltage, current, resistance, and power in a circuit. Some common meter symbols are:

   1. Voltmeter Measures voltage. Has very high resistance. Connected in parallel.: This symbol represents a voltmeter that measures voltage, has very high resistance, and is connected in parallel.
   2. Ammeter Measures electric current. Has near zero resistance. Connected serially.: This symbol represents an ammeter that measures electric current, has near-zero resistance, and is connected serially.
   3. Ohmmeter Measures resistance: This symbol represents an ohmmeter that measures resistance.
   4. Wattmeter Measures electric power: This symbol represents a wattmeter that measures electric power.

   Lamp / Light Bulb Symbols

   Lamp / light bulb symbols represent lamps or light bulbs that generate light when current flows through them in a circuit.

   Diode / LED Symbols

   Diode / LED symbols represent diodes or LEDs that allow current flow in one direction only or both directions, depending on their type in a circuit.