Symbols Table W

VCE Physics and VCE Systems Engineering: Table of electronic symbols
In response to requests from teachers the VCAA has produced a table of commonly used
electronic symbols. Practicing teachers have provided advice in the selection of recommended
and alternative symbols that appear in the table. Students may expect to see either the
recommended or alternative symbols on the VCE Physics and VCE Systems Engineering
examination papers. Teachers and students are likely to encounter the symbols shown in the
table, and other symbols, in other publications. Teachers are encouraged to ensure students are
flexible in their understanding and recognition of electronic symbols.
From the table, individual symbols may be selected, cut or copied and pasted into other
documents and may assist teachers in the preparation of tests, revision sheets and drawing
circuit diagrams.
All symbols have been generated using the Drawing tools in Microsoft Word. Each has been
Grouped so that it will remain intact when selected, copied and pasted to generate a circuit
diagram.
The recommended symbols are provided in their acceptable orientation/s. The orientation of all
symbols can be changed using the Drawing commands Rotate Left, Rotate Right, Flip Vertical
or Flip Horizontal.
Aids in joining copied symbols by drawn lines on a required circuit diagram:
On the Drawing grid set Snap objects to other objects.
Under AutoShapes, select Connectors, then Straight connector.
The dot () to indicate electrically connected points in the diagram can also be selected
from the following table.
Enquiries regarding the table should be directed to the following Curriculum Managers:
Technology Manager, Leanne Compton (03) 9032 1698 or
compton.leanne.l@edumail.vic.gov.au
Science Manager, Maria James (03) 9032 1722 or james.maria.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
Electric and electronic symbols for VCE Physics and VCE Systems Engineering
For each component a recommended symbol is shown in its normally accepted
orientation/s, i.e. vertically and/or horizontally. In electronics there is a longstanding
convention to show most components with a vertical orientation and for the circuit to
read from the source or input on the left to the output or remaining circuit on the right.
Other alternative symbols that may be encountered are also shown. Notes include
relevant acceptance of symbol.
Component
group
sources
VCAA
Component
Recommended symbol
cell
Updated January 2013
Alternative symbols
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
Recommended symbol
battery,
DC power supply
variable DC power
supply
AC power supply
resistors
resistor
variable resistor,
potentiometer,
voltage divider
variable resistor
light-dependent
resistor (LDR)
filament globe
thermistor
fuse
VCAA
Alternative symbols
Component
group
capacitors
Component
Recommended symbol
(non-polarised)
capacitor
variable capacitor
polarised capacitor,
electrolytic capacitor
transformers
iron-cored
transformer
(one secondary
winding)
iron-cored
transformer
(one secondary
winding
centre-tapped)
iron-cored
transformer
(two secondary
windings)
diodes
junction diode
Zener diode
VCAA
Alternative symbols
Component
group
Component
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
photo diode
light-emitting diode
(LED)
diode bridge
C
EC
BB
E
transistors
npn transistor
(Note that in an earlier version of

C
B
this table, this symbol was
EC
incorrectly represented.)
B E
C
B
B
E
E
C
pnp transistor
D
S
n-type junction field

effect transistor
(NJFET)
D
S
D
G
G G
D
S
p-type junction field

effect transistor
(PJFET)
integrated
integrated circuit (IC)

1
VCAA
2
3
4
18
7
36
45
Component
group
Component
Recommended symbol
circuits
switches
Alternative symbols
single pole, single

throw (SPST) switch
single pole, double

throw (SPDT) switch
double pole, single

throw (DPST) switch
double pole, double

throw (DPDT) switch
normally open
(NO) switch
normally closed
(NC) switch
relay
meters
VCAA
ammeter
5
A
Component
group
Component
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
V
A
voltmeter
V
galvanometer
G
cathode ray
oscilloscope (CRO)
CRO
CRO
amplifiers
voltage amplifier
operational amplifier
(op amp)
transducers
motor
microphone
loudspeaker
VCAA
Component
group
logic gates
Component
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
NOT or invert gate

1
OR gate
1
XOR (exclusive OR)

gate
=1
NOR gate
1
AND gate
&
NAND gate
&
flip-flop
T (toggle) flip-flop
Q
Q
T
T
Q
falling edge
triggered
external
connections
earth
aerial
VCAA
Q
rising edge
triggered
Component
group
circuit
connections
Component
Recommended symbol
non-connected leads
connected leads
dot for junction of

connected leads
VCAA
Alternative symbols

Symbols Table W

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VCE Physics and VCE Systems Engineering: Table of electronic symbols

On the Drawing grid set Snap objects to other objects.

Under AutoShapes, select Connectors, then Straight connector.

Updated January 2013

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

(Note that in an earlier version of

n-type junction field

p-type junction field

integrated circuit (IC)

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

single pole, single

single pole, double

double pole, single

double pole, double

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

NOT or invert gate

XOR (exclusive OR)

ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS

dot for junction of

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