Key Circuit Symbols - Wiring Diagram

Thinking about circuit symbols can often seem overwhelming. Whether you’re an experienced technician, electrical engineer, or just a hobbyist with an interest in electronics, understanding the different symbols used to represent electrical components can be tricky.

To help demystify circuit symbols and give you more knowledge about them, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to key circuit symbols - how they’re used, what they mean, and examples of where they’re commonly used.

When it comes to electrical circuit symbols, there are three main categories. Firstly, you have the switches - these include on/off switches, rocker switches, toggle switches, and momentary switches. These are used to control the flow of electricity in a circuit, allowing current to be turned on or off as needed. Secondly, there are what’s known as logic gates - these are used to control a circuit's behavior based on a given set of conditions. Lastly, you have the components - these are elements of a circuit that can be used to store, direct, or modify electrical energy. Examples of components include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols used to represent each category.

For switches, the most commonly used symbol is a rectangle with two lines crossing each other in the middle. This symbol is also used for power sources, such as batteries, generators, and power outlets. For both switches and power sources, the direction of the lines indicated whether the switch is in the open or closed position.

Logic gates are typically represented by one of three symbols - the triangle, circle, and rectangle. The triangle symbol is used for AND gates, the circle for OR gates, and the rectangle for NOT gates.

Finally, components are represented by various symbols that represent their function. For example, a resistor is represented by a jagged line, a diode by an arrow pointing in the direction of the current flow, and a capacitor by two curved lines. Integrated circuits are typically represented by a rectangle symbol with several lines passing through it.

We hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of the key circuit symbols used to represent electrical components. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to recognize different components and understand how they work.

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