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Electronic symbol

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Common circuit diagram symbols (US symbols)

An electronic symbol is a pictogram used to represent various electrical and electronic devices or functions, such as wires, batteries, resistors, and transistors, in a schematic diagram of an electrical or electronic circuit. These symbols are largely standardized internationally today, but may vary from country to country, or engineering discipline, based on traditional conventions.

Standards for symbols

The graphic symbols used for electrical components in circuit diagrams are covered by national and international standards, in particular:

  • IEC 60617 (also known as British Standard BS 3939).
  • There is also IEC 61131-3 - for ladder-logic symbols.
  • JIC JIC (Joint Industrial Council) symbols as approved and adopted by the NMTBA (National Machine Tool Builders Association). They have been extracted from the Appendix of the NMTBA Specification EGPl-1967
  • ANSI Y32.2-1975 (also known as IEEE Std 315-1975 or CSA Z99-1975)
  • IEEE Std 91/91a: graphic symbols for logic functions (used in digital electronics). It is referenced in ANSI Y32.2/IEEE Std 315.
  • Australian Standard AS 1102. (Based on a slightly modified version of IEC 60617, Withdrawn without replacement with a recommendation to use IEC 60617)

The number of standards leads to confusion and errors. Symbols usage is sometimes unique to engineering disciplines and national or local variations to international standards exist. For example, lighting and power symbols used as part of architectural drawings may be different from symbols for devices used in electronics.

Gallery of common electronic symbols

Symbols shown are typical examples, not a complete list.

Traces

  • IEC-style trace junction IEC-style trace junction
  • Trace crossing Trace crossing

Grounds

  • IEC-style ground (GND) symbol IEC-style ground (GND) symbol
  • Signal/Low noise ground (GND) symbol Signal/Low noise ground (GND) symbol
  • IEC-style chassis-ground symbol IEC-style chassis-ground symbol

Sources

  • Battery, single cell and multi-cell Battery, single cell and multi-cell
  • Battery, multi-cell Battery, multi-cell
  • Voltage source Voltage source
  • Controlled voltage source Controlled voltage source
  • Current source Current source
  • Controlled current source Controlled current source
  • AC voltage source AC voltage source

Resistors

  • (a) resistor, (b) rheostat (variable resistor), and (c) potentiometer (All of them are American style symbols) (a) resistor, (b) rheostat (variable resistor), and (c) potentiometer (All of them are American style symbols)
  • (a) resistor, (b) rheostat (variable resistor), and (c) potentiometer (All of them are IEC style symbols) (a) resistor, (b) rheostat (variable resistor), and (c) potentiometer (All of them are IEC style symbols)
  • Thermistor or Varistor Thermistor or Varistor

Capacitors

  • IEC-style capacitor, general symbol IEC-style capacitor, general symbol
  • Capacitor, polarized (American) Capacitor, polarized (American)
  • Capacitor, variable Capacitor, variable
  • IEC-style ganged (co-moving) variable capacitors IEC-style ganged (co-moving) variable capacitors
  • Trimmer capacitor Trimmer capacitor

Diodes

Inductors

Transformers

  • Transformer with center tap Transformer with center tap
  • Transformer with two secondary windings Transformer with two secondary windings
  • Current Transformer Current Transformer
  • Zero-Sequence Current Transformer (ZSCT) (also known as a window-type current transformer) Zero-Sequence Current Transformer (ZSCT) (also known as a window-type current transformer)
  • Bushing-Type Current Transformer Bushing-Type Current Transformer
  • Voltage Transformer Voltage Transformer

Transistors

Unipolar

Bipolar

Vacuum tubes

Switches

  • Switch, Single Pole/Single Throw (SPST) Switch, Single Pole/Single Throw (SPST)
  • Switch, Single Pole/Double Throw (SPDT) Switch, Single Pole/Double Throw (SPDT)
  • Switch, Double Pole/Double Throw (DPDT) Switch, Double Pole/Double Throw (DPDT)
  • Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, make (IEEE Std 315) Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, make (IEEE Std 315)
  • Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, break (IEEE Std 315) Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, break (IEEE Std 315)
  • Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, two circuit (IEEE Std 315) Pushbutton, Momentary or Spring-Return, two circuit (IEEE Std 315)

Relays

  • American-style relays, SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT American-style relays, SPST, SPDT, DPST, DPDT
  • IEC relay symbol, SPDT IEC relay symbol, SPDT

Lamps

Current limiters

Electro-acoustic devices

Antennas

Miscellaneous devices

Gallery of historical electronic symbols

The shape of electronic symbols have changed over time. Some symbols were more prevalent in some countries. The following are historic electronic symbols that might be found in old electronic books and schematics.

Capacitors (historical)

See also

References

  1. Guidelines for Drawing Schematics
  2. Circuit Symbols for all Electronic Components. Talking Electronics, 2013. Retrieved 01 Apr 2015.
  3. Electrical Symbols & Electronic Symbols. RapidTables, 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2016.

Further reading

  • Beginner's Guide to Reading Schematics; 4th Ed; Stan Gibilisco; McGraw-Hill, 224 pages; 2018; ISBN 978-1260031119.
  • How to Read Electronic Circuit Diagrams; 2nd Ed; Brown, Lawrence, Whitson; Tab Books; 214 pages; 1988; ISBN 978-0830628803.
  • How to Read Schematic Diagrams; 4th Ed; Donald Herrington; Sams Publishing; 160 pages; 1986; ISBN 978-0672224577. (2nd Ed in 1973)

External links

Electronic components
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transistors
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