Circuit Symbols

Wires | Supplies | Output devices | Switches | Resistors | Capacitors | Diodes | Transistors | Audio & Radio | Meters | Sensors |
Logic gates

Next Page: Electricity and the Electron

Also see: Circuit Diagrams

Circuit symbols in diagrams

Circuit symbols are used in circuit diagrams showing how a circuit is connected together. The actual layout of the components
is usually quite different from the circuit diagram.
To build a circuit you need a different diagram showing the layout of the parts on breadboard (for temporary circuits),
stripboard or printed circuit board.

A circuit diagram

Wire and connection symbols

Wire
Connects components and passes current easily from one part of a circuit to another.

Wires joined
A 'blob' should be drawn where wires are connected (joined), but it is sometimes omitted. Wires connected
at 'crossroads' should be staggered slightly to form two T-junctions, as shown on the right.

Wires not joined

In complex diagrams it is often necessary to draw wires crossing even though they are not connected. The
simple crossing on the left is correct but may be misread as a join where the 'blob' has been forgotten. The
bridge symbol on the right leaves no doubt!

Power supply symbols

Cell
Supplies electrical energy. The larger line is positive (+). A single cell is often called a battery, but strictly
speaking a battery is two or more cells joined together.

Battery
Supplies electrical energy. A battery is more than one cell. The larger line is positive (+).

Solar Cell
Converts light to electrical energy.
The larger line is positive (+).

DC supply
Supplies electrical energy.
DC = Direct Current, always flowing in one direction.

AC supply
Supplies electrical energy.
AC = Alternating Current, continually changing direction.

Fuse
A safety device which will 'blow' (melt) if the current flowing through it exceeds a specified value.

Transformer
Two coils of wire linked by an iron core. Transformers are used to step up (increase) and step down
(decrease) AC voltages. Energy is transferred between the coils by the magnetic field in the core, there
is no electrical connection between the coils.

Earth (Ground)
A connection to earth. For some electronic circuits this symbol is used for the 0V (zero volts) of the power supply, but
for mains electricity and some radio circuits it really means the earth. It is also known as ground.

Output device symbols

Lamp (lighting)
A transducer which converts electrical energy to light. This symbol is used for a lamp providing illumination,
for example a car headlamp or torch bulb.

Lamp (indicator)
A transducer which converts electrical energy to light. This symbol is used for a lamp which is an indicator,
for example a warning light on a car dashboard.

Heater
A transducer which converts electrical energy to heat.

Motor
A transducer which converts electrical energy to kinetic energy (motion).

Bell
A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Buzzer
A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Inductor, Coil, Solenoid

A coil of wire which creates a magnetic field when current passes through it. There may be an iron
core inside the coil. It can be used as a transducer converting electrical energy to mechanical energy by pulling on something
magnetically.

Switch symbols
Push-to-make switch
A push switch allows current to flow only when the button is pressed. This is the switch used to operate a
doorbell.

Push-to-break switch
This type of push switch is normally closed = on, it is open = off only when the button is pressed.

SPST, on-off switch

SPST = Single Pole, Single Throw. Current flows only when the switch is in the closed =on position.

SPDT, 2-way switch

SPDT = Single Pole, Double Throw. A 2-way changeover switch directs the flow of current to one of two
routes according to its position. Some SPDT switches have a central off position and are described as 'on-
off-on'.

DPST switch
DPST = Double Pole, Single Throw. A dual on-off switch which is often used to switch mains electricity
because it can isolate both the live and neutral connections.

DPDT switch
DPDT = Double Pole, Double Throw.
This switch can be wired up as a reversing switch for a motor. Some DPDT switches have a central off
position.

Relay
An electrically operated switch, for example a 9V battery circuit connected to the coil can
switch an AC mains circuit. The rectangle represents the coil.
NO = Normally Open, COM = Common, NC = Normally Closed.

Resistor symbols
Resistor
A resistor restricts the flow of charge. Uses include limiting the current passing through an LED, and slowly
charging a capacitor in a timing circuit.
Some publications use the old resistor symbol:

Rheostat variable resistor

A rheostat has 2 contacts and is usually used to control current. Uses include controlling lamp brightness or
motor speed and changing the rate of flow of charge into a capacitor in a timing circuit.

Potentiometer variable resistor

A potentiometer has 3 contacts and is usually used to control voltage. It can be used like this as a
transducer converting position (angle of the control spindle) to an electrical signal.

Preset variable resistor

A preset is operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is made
and then left without further adjustment. Presets are cheaper than standard variable resistors so they are
sometimes used in projects to reduce the cost.

Capacitor symbols
Capacitor, unpolarised
A capacitor stores electric charge. It can be used with a resistor in a timing circuit, for smoothing a supply (it
provides a reservoir of charge) and can be used as a filter (blocking DC signals but passing AC signals).
Unpolarised capacitors usually have small values, less than 1µF.

Capacitor, polarised
A capacitor stores electric charge. Polarised capacitors must be connected the correct way round. They
usually have larger values, 1µF and greater. See above for uses.

Variable capacitor
A variable capacitor is used in a radio tuner.

Trimmer variable capacitor

This type of variable capacitor is designed to be set when a circuit is made and then left without further
adjustment.
Diode symbols
Diode
A device which allows current to flow in only one direction.

Light Emitting Diode

A transducer which converts electrical energy to light. Usually abbreviated to LED.

Zener diode
A zener diode can be used to maintain a fixed voltage.

Photodiode
A light-sensitive diode.

Transistor symbols
Transistor NPN
A transistor amplifies current and can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.
This symbol is for a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), the type you are most likely to use at first.

Transistor PNP
A transistor amplifies current and can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.
This symbol is for a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), the type you are most likely to use at first.

Phototransistor
A light-sensitive transistor.

Audio and Radio symbols

Microphone
A transducer which converts sound to electrical energy.

Earphone
A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Loudspeaker
A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Piezo Transducer
A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Amplifier (general symbol)

An amplifier circuit with one input. Really this is a block diagram symbol because it represents a circuit rather
than just one component.
Aerial (Antenna)
A device to receive or transmit radio signals. It is also known as an antenna.

Meters and Oscilloscope

Voltmeter
Measures voltage. The proper name for voltage is 'potential difference' but voltage is more widely used.

Ammeter
Measures current.

Galvanometer
A very sensitive meter used to measure tiny currents, usually 1mA or less.

Ohmmeter
Measures resistance. Most multimeters have an ohmmeter setting.

Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is used to display the 'shape' of electrical signals - showing how they vary with time. It can
be used to measure voltage and time periods.

Sensors (input devices)

LDR
A transducer which converts brightness (light) to resistance (an electrical property).
LDR = Light Dependent Resistor

Thermistor
A transducer which converts temperature (heat) to resistance (an electrical property).

Logic gate symbols

Logic gates process signals which represent true (1, high, +Vs, on) or false (0, low, 0V, off). For more information please see
the page on logic gates. The symbols shown here are the traditional ones for logic gates as these are the most widely used
symbols.

NOT
A NOT gate can only have one input. The 'o' on the output means 'not'. The output of a NOT gate is
the inverse (opposite) of its input, so the output is true when the input is false. A NOT gate is also
called an inverter.

AND
An AND gate can have two or more inputs. The output of an AND gate is true when all its inputs are
true.

NAND
A NAND gate can have two or more inputs. The 'o' on the output means 'not' showing that it is a Not
AND gate. The output of a NAND gate is true unless all its inputs are true.
OR
An OR gate can have two or more inputs. The output of an OR gate is true when at least one of its
inputs is true.

NOR
A NOR gate can have two or more inputs. The 'o' on the output means 'not' showing that it is a Not
OR gate. The output of a NOR gate is true when none of its inputs are true.

EX-OR
An EX-OR gate can only have two inputs. The output of an EX-OR gate is true when its inputs are
different (one true, one false).

EX-NOR
An EX-NOR gate can only have two inputs. The 'o' on the output means 'not' showing that it is a Not
EX-OR gate. The output of an EX-NOR gate is true when its inputs are the same (both true or both
false).

Recommended book
Electronics for Kids
A great introduction, this book starts by assuming no previous knowledge then carefully builds up
straightforward explanations of how components work, plus practical techniques including wire-
stripping, soldering and using a multimeter. The final project uses three ICs to make a great game.
The author, Øyvind Nydal Dahl, has done a great job in providing clear step-by-step instructions
with breadboard (or stripboard) layouts as well as circuit diagrams for projects. As Technical
Reviewer for the book I've built all the projects myself and I'm very happy to recommend it to
anyone looking for a fun and educational introduction to electronics.

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