Electrical and Electronics Symbols and Meanings | EdrawMax Online

1. What are Electrical and Electronics Symbols?

If you are a beginner in electronics and electrical plan, then the first one you have to learn about is the schematic or the circuit diagram. And to make it, you have to learn about the schematic symbols. Electrical symbols and electronic symbols are those symbols that are used for drawings schematic diagrams. Here we provided these electrical symbols in the form of a table where you get each and every symbol with their family.

Image Source:

Image Source: EdrawMax Online

2. Common Electrical and Electronics Symbols

As we are drawings any circuit diagram so we can’t draw the actual components or the part that we need to make a circuit.

So to overcome this problem we use electronic symbols because they are easy to draw and this makes circuit easily. Below is a list of the most commonly used electrical symbols.

2.1 Electrical Symbols

Wires Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

Electrical Wire

It is the symbol that is used to represent a wire.

Connected Wires

This Symbol represents the wire connected crossing.

Not Connect Wires

This Symbol shows that wires are not connected on crossing.

Switches Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

SPST Toggle Switch

It is the symbol of a switch that disconnects current when open.

SPDT Toggle Switch

This Symbol of switch selects between two connections.

Push Button (N.O)

It is a symbol that denotes Momentary switch – normally open.

Push Button Switch (N.C)

This denotes the symbol of a Momentary switch – normally closed.

DIP Switch

It is the symbol of the DIP switch which is used for onboard configuration.

Relays

Symbol
Name
Description

SPST Relay

This shows the symbol of relay that close connection by an electromagnet.

SPDT Relay

This shows the symbol of relay that open connection by an electromagnet.

Earthing

Symbol
Name
Description

Earth Ground

This Symbol is used for zero potential reference and electrical shock protection.

Chassis Ground

This symbol shows the wire Connected to the chassis of the circuit.

Digital Ground

It refers to the reference voltage of digital-analog if.

Inductors

Symbol
Name
Description

Indicator

Symbol of a Coil / solenoid that generates a magnetic field.

Iron Core Inductor

It is the symbol of the iron core Inductor Which Includes iron.

Variable Inductor

It is the coil or solenoid that has a Variable magnetic field.

Motor and Transformer

Symbol
Name
Description

Motor

Symbol of motor, which changes electric energy to kinetic energy.

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 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.

Electronic symbols are also known as symbol schematics because they are used in an electronic circuit schematic.

Resistance

Symbol
Name
Description

Variable Resistance

It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor which has 2 terminals.

Potentiometer

It is the symbol of an adjustable resistor that has 3 terminals.

Trimmer Resistor

It is the symbol of a trimmer which is also known as a Preset resistor.

Thermistor

It is the symbol of a Thermal resistor that changes the resistance when temperature changes.

Photoresistor

It is the symbol of Photo-resistor – change resistance with light intensity change.

Diode

Symbol
Name
Description

Diode

Diode allows current flow in one direction only – left (anode) to the right (cathode).

Zener Diode

It allows current flow in one direction, but also can flow in the reverse direction when above breakdown volt.

Schottky Diode

Schottky diode is a diode with a low voltage drop.

Varicap Diode

This represents the varicap diode. Variable capacitance diode.

Light Emitting Diode

LED emits light when current flows through it.

Photodiode

This is the symbol of Photodiode that allows current flow when exposed to light.

Capacitor

Symbol
Name
Description

Capacitor

Capacitor is used to store electric charge. It acts as a short circuit with AC and an open circuit with DC.

Variable Capacitor

The Symbol represent the adjustable capacitance.

Sources

Symbol
Name
Description

Voltage Source

It is the symbol of a voltage Source which generates constant voltage.

Current Source

It is the symbol of a current Source which generates constant current.

AC Voltage Source

This symbol shows the AC Voltage Source.

Battery Cell

It is the symbol of single cell use to generate constant volt.

Battery

It is the symbol of a battery which is the combination of two or more cells.

Controlled Voltage Source

It is the symbol of a constant voltage Source that gives controllable voltage at the output.

Controlled Current Source

It represents the controlled Current source which gives controllable current at the output.

Meter Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

Voltmeter

It is the symbol that shows Voltmeter which is used to measure the voltage.

Ammeter

It represents the ammeter whose work is to measure the current in the circuit.

Ohmmeter

It is the symbol of the ohmmeter which is needed to measure the value of a resistor.

Wattmeter

This represents the power meter which shows the power consumption.

Converter and Amplifier Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

Operational Amplifier

This operational gives Amplify input signal.

Analog to Digital Converter

This is the symbol of ATD converts analog signal to digital numbers.

Digital to Analog Converter

This is the symbol of DTA converts digital numbers to analog signals.

Transistors Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

NPN Bipolar Transistor

It allows current flow when the high potential is at the base (middle).

PNP Bipolar Transistor

It allows current flow when the low potential is at the base (middle) of the symbol.

Darlington Transistor

It is made from 2 bipolar transistors. Has total gain of the product of each gain.

JFET-N Transistor

Symbol of JFET N-channel field effect transistor.

JFET-P Transistor

This is the symbol of JFET P which is a P-channel effect transistor.

NMOS Transistor

This is a symbol of Mosfet N-channel MOSFET transistor.

PMOS Transistor

This is a symbol of Mosfet P-channel MOSFET transistor.

Utility Symbols

Symbol
Name
Description

BUZZER

Produce a buzzing sound when current flows through it.

Electric Bell

This is the symbol of Bell which Rings when activated.

Fuse

The fuse disconnects when current above the threshold—used to protect a circuit from high currents.

Bus

The bus symbol contains several wires. usually for data / address.

Loudspeaker

Convert electrical signal to sound waves.

Microphone

Microphone Converts sound waves to the electrical signal.

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

Not Gate

This is the symbol of NOT Gate. Output 1 when input is 0.

AND Gate

This is the symbol of AND Gate. Output 1 when both inputs are 1.

NAND Gate

This shows NAND Gate, which Outputs 0 when both inputs are 1. (NOT + AND).

OR Gate

This symbol shows or Gate, which Outputs 1 when any input is 1.

XOR Gate

Symbol of XOR Gate, which Outputs 1 when inputs are different. (Exclusive OR).

Multiplexer

Symbol of the multiplexer. Connect the output to the selected input line.

DE multiplexer

This shows DE multiplexer.Connect selected output to the input line.

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.

Click the image to download Electrical Symbols Chart 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 the tips for using these symbols.

3.1 Use a Professional Electrical 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.

3.2 Customize Symbols or Import Symbols

If you don’t find any desired symbol which is needed by you in this EdrawMax symbols library, then you can also use the line and other drawing tools to design symbols or just simply upload your symbol to the libraries.

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

4. More Questions 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.

EdrawMax Online

Create 280+ types of diagrams online

Access diagrams anywhere, anytime

Everything in desktop + Templates Community

Team management and collaboration

Personal Cloud and Dropbox Integration

TRY ONLINE

EdrawMax Desktop

Create 280+ types of diagrams

Support Windows, Mac, Linux

Full access to resources and templates

On-premises software for business

Enterprise-level data security

DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD