Electrical and Electronics Symbols and Meanings

Don’t know how to read and understand electrical symbols? So you are at the right place because here you get all the information about the electrical symbols with their name and description.
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1. What are Electrical and Electronics Symbols?

If you are a beginner in electronics and electrical plan, then the first thing you have to learn is schematic or circuit diagrams and the symbols used in them. These symbols represent components in schematic diagrams. In this article, we have provided tables of electrical and electronic symbols, organized by family, for easy reference.

2. Common Electrical and Electronics Symbols

2.1 Electrical Symbols

An electrical symbol is a graphical representation used to represent electrical components or devices in schematic diagrams or circuit diagrams. These symbols are standardized and universally recognized, making it easier for engineers, technicians, and electricians to understand and interpret electrical plans.

Wires Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Electrical Wire Electrical Wire It is the symbol that is used to represent a wire.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Connected Wires Connected Wires This Symbol represents the wire connected crossing.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Not  Connect Wires Not Connect Wires This Symbol shows that wires are not connected on crossing.

Switches Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - SPST Toggle Switch SPST Toggle Switch It is the symbol of a switch that disconnects current when open.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - SPDT Toggle Switch SPDT Toggle Switch This Symbol of switch selects between two connections.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Push Button (N.O) Push Button (N.O) It is a symbol that denotes Momentary switch - normally open.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Push Button Switch (N.C) Push Button Switch (N.C) This denotes the symbol of a Momentary switch - normally closed.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - DIP Switch DIP Switch It is the symbol of the DIP switch which is used for onboard configuration.

Relays

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - SPST Relay SPST Relay This shows the symbol of relay that close connection by an electromagnet.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - SPDT Relay SPDT Relay This shows the symbol of relay that open connection by an electromagnet.

Earthing

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Earth Ground Earth Ground This Symbol is used for zero potential reference and electrical shock protection.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Chassis Ground Chassis Ground This symbol shows the wire Connected to the chassis of the circuit.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Digital Ground Digital Ground It refers to the reference voltage of digital-analog if.

Inductors

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Indicator Indicator Symbol of a Coil / solenoid that generates a magnetic field.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Iron Core Inductor Iron Core Inductor It is the symbol of the iron core Inductor Which Includes iron.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Variable Inductor Variable Inductor It is the coil or solenoid that has a Variable magnetic field.

Motor and Transformer

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Motor Motor Symbol of motor, which changes electric energy to kinetic energy.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - AC Transformer AC Transformer Transformer changes AC voltage from high to low or low to high.

Watch this video to learn more about electrical plan symbols. If the video doesn't play, please visit it at YouTube.

2.2 Electronics Symbols

An electronic symbol is a graphical representation used to represent electronic components or devices specifically in electronic circuits. Electronic symbols are similar to electrical symbols but are more specific to electronic components such as transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, and other electronic devices.

Resistance

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Variable Resistance Variable Resistance It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor which has 2 terminals.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Potentiometer Potentiometer It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor that has 3 terminals.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Trimmer Resistor Trimmer Resistor It is the symbol of a trimmer which is also known as a Preset resistor.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Thermistor Thermistor It is the symbol of a Thermal resistor that changes the resistance when temperature changes.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Photoresistor Photoresistor It is the symbol of Photo-resistor - change resistance with light intensity change.

Diode

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Diode Diode Diode allows current flow in one direction only - left (anode) to the right (cathode).
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Zener Diode Zener Diode It allows current flow in one direction, but also can flow in the reverse direction when above breakdown volt.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Schottky Diode Schottky Diode Schottky diode is a diode with a low voltage drop.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Varicap Diode Varicap Diode This represents the varicap diode. Variable capacitance diode.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Light Emitting Diode Light Emitting Diode LED emits light when current flows through it.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Photodiode Photodiode This is the symbol of Photodiode that allows current flow when exposed to light.

Capacitor

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Capacitor Capacitor Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as a short circuit with AC and an open circuit with DC.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Variable Capacitor Variable Capacitor The Symbol represent the adjustable capacitance.

Sources

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Voltage Source Voltage Source It is the symbol of a voltage Source which generates constant voltage.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Current Source Current Source It is the symbol of a current Source which generates constant current.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - AC Voltage Source AC Voltage Source This symbol shows the AC Voltage Source.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Battery Cell Battery Cell It is the symbol of single cell use to generate constant volt.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Battery Battery It is the symbol of a battery which is the combination of two or more cells.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Controlled Voltage Source Controlled Voltage Source It is the symbol of a constant voltage Source that gives controllable voltage at the output.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Controlled Current Source Controlled Current Source It represents the controlled Current source which gives controllable current at the output.

Meter Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Voltmeter Voltmeter It is the symbol that shows Voltmeter which is used to measure the voltage.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Ammeter Ammeter It represents the ammeter whose work is to measure the current in the circuit.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Ohmmeter Ohmmeter It is the symbol of the ohmmeter which is needed to measure the value of a resistor.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Wattmeter Wattmeter This represents the power meter which shows the power consumption.

Converter and Amplifier Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Operational Amplifier Operational Amplifier This operational gives Amplify input signal.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Analog to Digital Converter Analog to Digital Converter This is the symbol of ATD converts analog signal to digital numbers.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Digital to Analog Converter Digital to Analog Converter This is the symbol of DTA converts digital numbers to analog signals.

Transistors Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - NPN Bipolar Transistor NPN Bipolar Transistor It allows current flow when the high potential is at the base (middle).
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - PNP Bipolar Transistor PNP Bipolar Transistor It allows current flow when the low potential is at the base (middle) of the symbol.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Darlington Transistor Darlington Transistor It is made from 2 bipolar transistors. Has total gain of the product of each gain.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - JFET-N Transistor JFET-N Transistor Symbol of JFET N-channel field effect transistor.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - JFET-P Transistor JFET-P Transistor This is the symbol of JFET P which is a P-channel effect transistor.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - NMOS Transistor NMOS Transistor This is a symbol of Mosfet N-channel MOSFET transistor.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - PMOS Transistor PMOS Transistor This is a symbol of Mosfet P-channel MOSFET transistor.

Utility Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - BUZZER BUZZER Produce a buzzing sound when current flows through it.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Electric Bell Electric Bell This is the symbol of Bell which Rings when activated.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Fuse Fuse The fuse disconnects when the current is above the threshold---used to protect a circuit from high currents.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Bus Bus The bus symbol contains several wires. Usually for data/address.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Loudspeaker Loudspeaker Convert electrical signals to sound waves.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Microphone Microphone Microphone Converts sound waves to the electrical signal.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Lamp/Light Bulb Lamp/Light Bulb This is the symbol of a lamp that glows when current flows through it.

Logic Gates and Multiplexer Symbols

Symbol Name Description
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Not Gate Not Gate This is the symbol of NOT Gate. Output 1 when input is 0.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - AND Gate AND Gate This is the symbol of AND Gate. Output 1 when both inputs are 1.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - NAND Gate NAND Gate This shows NAND Gate, which Outputs 0 when both inputs are 1. (NOT + AND).
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - OR Gate OR Gate This symbol shows or Gate, which Outputs 1 when any input is 1.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - XOR Gate XOR Gate Symbol of XOR Gate, which Outputs 1 when inputs are different. (Exclusive OR).
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Multiplexer Multiplexer Symbol of the multiplexer. Connect the output to the selected input line.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - DE multiplexer DE multiplexer This shows DE multiplexer.Connect selected output to the input line.
Electrical and Electronics Symbol - Optocoupler Optocoupler This shows Optocoupler. Optocoupler isolates connection to other board.

2.3. Electrical Symbols Chart and PDF

We have created a printable Electrical Symbols Chart PDF file that you can download and print if you wish to have a quick reference. You can download the file by clicking on the Image below.

Electrical Symbols Chart & Electrical Symbols PDF
Click the image to download Electrical Symbols Chart PDF

3. Expert Tips for Using Electrical Schematic Symbols

So in the upward table shows you all the electrical schematic symbols and electronic symbols which are needed to create a circuit diagram with their name and description. Now you can draw any circuit diagram easily with the help of this symbol.

Here are some tips for using these symbols.

3.1 Use a Professional Diagramming Tool

If you want to maximize your efficiency and come up with visually appealing diagrams, then consider using EdrawMax Online. Open EdrawMax Online and go to the Library first, then click on the Electrical. There you get all components' names, select which you need to take.

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Electrical and Electronics Symbols

3.2 Customize or Import Symbols

If you don't find any desired symbol in EdrawMax's symbols library, you can also use the line and other drawing tools to design symbols or just simply upload your symbol to the libraries.

Data Flow Diagram Symbols

Here is a video for you to learn how to customize symbols and libraries in EdrawMax

4. FAQs About Electrical Symbols

1. What are Some Basic Electrical Symbols?

There are five commonly used symbols in Electrical – Switch, Wire, Contactor, Motor, Transformer. These symbols can be used in any electrical drawings. Switches are used for ON/OFF any control circuit. Contactors are used to ON/OFF any electrical equipment through electrical signals. The wire is used to connect one electrical component to another. The motor is the main symbol in Electrical Engineering which is used to rotate any equipment. The transformer is the equipment that is used to convert voltage UP/DOWN.

2. Why Do We Need Electrical Diagram?

If we need to make a Starter to operate any Motor, we need a single line diagram of a starter. In the starter draw, there are all components symbols are mentioned. Using drawing, an electrician can easily understand its wiring for installation of any Starter. During troubleshooting, the electrical diagram role is very important because it is very hard to find out the problem without drawing.

3. What Is an Electrical Single Line Diagram?

Definition of electrical single line diagram is an electrical diagram or drawing of an electrical system that represents the component of an electrical installation system. In Electrical Engineering, sometimes it’s called a one-line diagram. It is a blueprint of any electrical equipment wiring. It is not shown an exact electrical circuit connection.

5. Conclusion

After reading this guide, you would be able to know more about electrical symbols and meanings. If you are looking for a smart and user-friendly electrical diagrams maker, then EdrawMax Online would be an ideal pick. It is an intuitive diagramming tool that offers a wide range of libraries and templates to create 280+ different diagram types in one place. You can get all types of electronic and electrical symbols easily and create all kinds of electrical diagrams and wiring. Get a quick start with electrical diagrams examples right now.

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