Units & Symbols

for Electrical &

Electronic Engineers

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Preface
A booklet, Symbols and Abbreviations for use in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Courses, was published by the Institution of
Electrical Engineers in 1968 and 1971. To take account of the many revisions and additions to British and International Standards
since then, a new and fully revised edition was published in 1979, with reprints in 1980 and 1983.

In 1985, the editorial panel reconvened and undertook a total review and update of the Symbols and Abbreviations booklet, prior
to it being re-issued under its new title in the professional brief series, in 1986. Further reviews of the contents were undertaken in
1991 and 1996. Any comments on the present content, or suggestions for additional material, will be welcomed. Please address
comments to the Secretary of the Institution.

The booklet is for use by students and staff in colleges and universities, as a reference for authors of papers and books on
electrical and electronic engineering and related subjects, and as a guide for draughtsmen and designers in industry.

Appendix A lists the standards which have been used in the preparation of this Guide.

© The IET 2008

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering i

Contents
Introduction 1
1. Abbreviations for words and phrases 2
2. Printing conventions 3
Letter symbols, subscripts 3

3. Unit symbols 4
Compound symbols 4

4. Numerical values 5
The decimal sign 5
Multiplication of numbers 5

5. The International System of Units 6

SI base units and supplementary units 6
SI derived units 7
Non-SI units 7

6. Quantity symbols for mechanics, thermodynamics, illumination 8

7. Quantity symbols for electrotechnics 10
8. Subscripts and other uses of letters and numbers 13
General 13
Semiconductors 15

9. Mathematical symbols 16
10. Physical constants 18
11. Conversion factors 19
Length 19
Area, Volume 19
Mass, Density 19
Velocity 19
Force, Pressure, Torque 20
Energy, Power 20
Nucleonics, Radiation etc. 20
Special remark on Logarithmic quantities and units 20

12. Graphical symbols 22

Connections and network elements 22
Power plant 23
Electronic devices 23
Logic symbols 24
Optic fibre symbols 25
Telecommunication symbols 25
Microwave devices 26
Flowchart symbols 26

13. Some abbreviations 27

Commonly used abbreviations in optical, logical and microprocessor circuits 27
Component identification abbreviations 28

14. Letter and digit code for R & C values 29

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering ii

Appendices
A List of Standards used in compilation of ‘Units & Symbols’ 30
B Typefaces used: English alphabet, Greek alphabet 31

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering iii

Introduction
In the expression I = 16 mA, I is the quantity symbol for the physical phenomenon of electric current, and 16 is its numerical
value in terms of the decimal submultiple (10–3) of a unit (ampere) of current; mA is the unit symbol for milliampere. Other
symbols (such as j, exp, Cu) are used to indicate mathematical operations, chemical elements etc. Frequently occurring technical
phrases are commonly rendered as abbreviations (such as e.m.f., p.d.). In circuit diagrams, graphical symbols identify network
components and devices.

International letter symbolism is based on the Roman and Greek alphabets. There are fewer than 90 distinctive capital and small
letters to represent some thousands of scientific and technical quantities, and extensive duplication is unavoidable. Priority is
given here to electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineering, and quantities in associated fields are, where necessary,
assigned alternative or second-choice symbols.

The units and symbols listed throughout this booklet conform to the recommendations of the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) and the British Standards Institution (BSI). Additionally, because of their common usage, in the Logic Symbols
under Section 12 some distinctive-shape binary logic symbols have been used.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1

1. Abbreviations for Words & Phrases
Well known abbreviations, such as those listed below, are set in small roman (lower-case upright) letters, except for proper names,
the unit system (SI), at the start of a sentence (e.g. A.C., not A.c.), and in titles and table headings where preferred:

Alternating current* a.c Phase† ph.

Direct current* d.c. Potential difference p.d.
Electromotive force e.m.f. Power factor p.f.
Per unit p.u. Root mean square r.m.s.

*Adjective only, as in a.c. motor, d.c. circuit.

†As in 3-ph. Supply

Ad hoc abbreviations (such as s.s.b. for single sideband) may be employed subject to an initial use in context of the full
expression. Some acronyms (e.g. radar, laser) are used as nouns. The use of capital letters without full points for some
abbreviations is common, particularly in the fields of logic, computers and microprocessors (see Commonly used abbreviations in
optical, logical and microprocessor curcuits in Section 13).

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 2

2. Printing Conventions
For clarity, in scientific and technical literature, different types of object are printed in different typefaces. The normal printing
conventions are as follows:

Object Typeface Examples

unit symbols Roman Hz, s, μm

scalar physical quantities Italic f, t
vestor physical quantities* Italic boldface or AB
Italic with arrow 
numbers and numerical constants Roman 17, π, e
numerical variables Italic x, xn, f(x)
matricies Italic boldface A
standard mathematical functions Roman sin, loge

Note: the four styles of typeface are (using the letter A as an example):

Roman (or ‘upright’): A Roman boldface: A

Italic (or ‘sloping’): A Italic boldface: A

*this typeface also applies to phasor physical quantities

Letter symbols, subscripts

Letter symbols should be used with consistency (e.g. only L for self-inductance, only P for power), but distinguishing subscripts
can be attached (e.g. L1 and L2). Upper-case letters (e.g. V, I) are used for steady, mean and r.m.s values; lower-case letters for
instantaneous values which vary with time (e.g. V, i). Maximum, minimum and average are indicated by subscripts (e.g. Vmax, Vmin,
Vav).

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 3

3. Unit Symbols
Unit symbols are printed in upright roman characters and are used after numerical values (e.g. 10 A, but ‘a few amperes’).
They are the same in singular and plural, and are not followed by a full point except for normal punctuation, e.g. at the end of a
sentence. A space is set between the number and its unit symbol (e.g. 230V, not 230V). The decimal multiples and submultiples
given below are prefixed, without a space, to the unit symbols (e.g. 6.6 kV). Compound decimal prefixes should not be used (e.g.
pF, not μμF).

1024 yotta Y 10–3 milli m

1021 zetta Z 10–6 micro μ
1018 exa E 102 hecto h 10–9 nano n
1015 peta P 101 deca da 10–12 pico p
1012 tera T 10–1 deci d 10–15 femto f
109 gigi G 10–2 centi c 10–18 atto a
106 mega M 10–21 zepto z
103 kilo k 10–24 yocto y

Powers in steps of 3 are preferred, but some others have common usage (e.g. centimetre cm, decibel dB).

Compound symbols
In a compound unit symbol, multiplication is denoted by either a dot or a space (e.g. N•m, N m). The last form may also be
written without a space, provided that special care is taken when the symbol for one of the units is the same as the symbol for a
prefix, e.g. mN means millinewton, not metre newton. Unit division may be indicated by a solidus (e.g. V/m). Not more than one
solidus should appear in a combination (e.g. 5 m/s2, not 5 m/s/s). In some cases parentheses or negative powers may be used for
clarity (e.g. 1/s or s–1; J/(m s K) or J m–1 s–1 K–1).

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 4

4. Numerical Values
Numbers should generally be printed in roman (upright) type. To facilitate the reading of numbers with many digits, these may be
separated into suitable groups, preferably of three digits, counting from the decimal sign towards the left and the right; the groups
should be separated by a small space, and never by a comma or a point, nor by any other means.

The decimal sign

The IEC and the BSI indicate that a comma on the line is the preferred decimal sign. In most British Standards, most UK
literature, and all USA literature it is the practice to use a dot on the line as the decimal marker. In order to avoid confusion the IEE
adopts the convention of English literature publications and uses a dot on the line as the decimal marker.

Multiplication of numbers
In the UK the preferred sign for the multiplication of numbers is a cross (X); if a dot is used as the decimal sign, the cross must
be used. (A dot half-high may be used as the multiplication sign for numbers, but in this case a comma should be used as the
decimal sign.)

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 5

5. The International System of Units
The International System of Units (SI) establishes three kinds of units: base, supplementary, and derived, discussed in the
following sub-sections under Section 5. In addition, various other units, listed under the sub-heading Non-SI Units, are recognised
for continued use alongside SI units. Many obsolescent non-SI units are listed in Section 11, where conversion factors are given.

SI base units and supplementary units

There are seven base units and two supplementary units, as shown below:

Base quantity Name of SI base unit Unit symbol

length metre m metre m

mass kilogram kg kilogram kg
time second s second s
electric current ampere A
thermodynamic temperature kelvin K kelvin K
amount of substance mole mol mole mol
luminous intensity candela cd candela cd

plane angle radian rad radian rad

solid angle steradian sr steradian sr

The definitions of these units are as follows:

„„ metre (m): the metre is the length of the path travelled in vacuum by light during (1/299 792 458) second.
„„ kilogram (kg): the mass of the international prototype of the kilogram.
„„ second (s): the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine
levels of the ground state of the caesium 133 atom.
„„ ampere (A): that constant current which, if maintained in two straight parallel conductors of infinite length, of negligible
circular cross-section, and placed 1 metre apart in vacuum, would produce between these conductors a force equal to 2 x
10–7 newton per metre of length.
„„ kelvin (K): the unit of thermodynamic temperature is the fraction 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water (but see footnote*).
„„ candela (cd): the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a source which emits monochromatic radiation with a frequency
540 x 10l2 hertz and whose energy intensity in that direction is (1/683) watt per steradian.
„„ mole (mol): the amount of substance of a system which contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012
kilogram of carbon 12. When the mole is used, the elementary entities must be specified and may be atoms, molecules, ions,
electrons, other particles, or specified groups of such particles.
„„ radian (rad): the plane angle between two radii of a circle which cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to the
radius.
„„ steradian (sr): the solid angle which, having its apex at the centre of a sphere, cuts off an area of the surface of the sphere
equal to that of a square with sides of length equal to the radius of the sphere.

The supplementary units ‘radian’ and ‘steradian’ are to be regarded as dimensionless derived units which may be used or omitted
in the expressions for derived units.

* In addition to the thermodynamic temperature (symbol T), expressed in kelvins, use is also made of Celsius temperature (symbol t) defined
by the equation t = T-To where To = 273.15 K by definition. The unit ‘degree Celsius’ is equal to the unit ‘kelvin’, but ‘degree Celsius’ is a special
name in place of ‘kelvin’ for expressing Celsius temperature. A temperature interval or a Celsius temperature difference can be expressed in
degrees Celsius as well as kelvins, but kelvin is to be preferred.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 6

SI derived units
The units of all physical quantities are derived from the base and supplementary SI units, and certain of them have been named.
These, together with some common compound units, are given here:

Quantity Unit Name Unit Symbol Expression in terms of

SI base unit

force newton N m kg s-2

energy joule J m2 kg s-2
power watt W m2 kg s-3
pressure, stress pascal Pa m-1 kg s-2
electric potential volt V m2 kg s-3 A-1
electric charge coulomb C sA
electric flux coulomb C sA
magentic flux weber Wb m2 kg s-2 A-1
magnetic flux density tesla T kg s-2 A-1
electric resistance ohm Ω m2 kg s-3 A-2
electric conductance siemens S m-2 kg-1 s3 A2
capacitance farad F m-2 kg-1 s4 A2
inductance henry H m2 kg s-2 A-2
Celsius temperature* degree Celsius oC K
frequency hertz Hz s-1
luminous flux lumen Im cd sr
activity (of a radionuclide) becquerel Bq s-1
absorbed dose grey Gy (=J/Kg) m2 s-2
dose equivalent sievert Sv (=J/Kg) m2 s-2

mass density kilogram per cubic metre kg/m3 m-3 kg

moment of force newton metre Nm m2 kg s-2
torque mewton metre Nm m2 kg s-2
electric field strength volt per metre V/m m kg s-3 A-1
electrical displacement coulomb per square metre C/m2 m-2 s A
magnetic field strength ampere per metre V/m m-1 A
thermal conductivity watt per metre kelvin W m-1 K-1 m kg s-3 K-1
luminance candala per square metre cd/m2 m-2 cd

*See footnote to previous sub-section - SI base units and supplementary units

Non-SI units
Some commonly used units not within the SI range are:

angle degree (1° = ∏/180 rad); minute (1’ = (1⁄60)°)

second (1” = (1⁄60)’); revolution (1 r = 2∏rad)
energy calorie (cal); electronvolt (eV); watt-hour (W h)
length ångström (Å)
mass ton (ton); tonne (= metric ton) (t)
unified atomic mass unit (u)
pressure, stress atmosphere (atm); bar (bar); torr (Torr)
rotational frequency revolution per minute (r/min)*, revolution per second (r/s)*
time minute (min); hour (h); day (d); year (a)
volume litre (L, l or litre)

*These are widely used for rotational frequency in specifications of rotating machinery.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 7

6. Quantity Symbols for Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Illumination
As noted in Section 2, an italic typeface is used for quantity symbols.

Quantity Symbol SI Unit

acceleration, angular α rad/s2

acceleration, linear a m/s2
acoustic pressure ρ Pa
angle, plane α, β, γ rad
angle, solid Ω sr
angular momentum L kg m2 s-1
area, surface area A, S m2
bulk compressibility K m2/N
coefficient of heat transfer α W m-2 K-1
density ρ kg/m3
efficiency η -
energy E J
energy, kinetic Ek J
energy, potential Ep J
energy, volume density W J/m3
enthalpy H (=U=pV) J
entropy S J/K
force F N
frequency f Hz
frequency, angular ω rad/s
friction, coefficient μ -
friction, force coefficient F N s/m
friction, torque coefficient F N m s/rad
Gibbs function G (=U+pV-TS) J
heat, quantity of heat Q J
heat, heat capacity C J/K
heat, specific heat capacity c J kg-1 K-1
heat, flow rate φth W
heat, density of heat flow rate q W/m2
Helmholtz free energy A, F (A=U-TS) J
illumunance E Lx
internal energy U J

( ))
isentropic exponent K V ∂p -
=-
p ∂V s

kinematic viscosity v m2/s

length l m
luminance L cd/m2
luminous flux φ lm
luminous intensity l cd
mass m kg
mass flow rate qm kg/s
mechanical impedance Zm N s/m
moduli, modulus of elasticity (Young) E Pa
moduli, longitudinal modulus of elasticity E N/m2
moduli, sheer modulus, modulus of rigidity G N/m2
moduli, bulk modulus, modulus of compression K N/m2
moment of force M Nm
moment of inertia J kg m2

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 8

6. Quantity Symbols for Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Illumination
(continued)

Quantity Symbol SI Unit

momentum p kg m/s
Poisson ratio μ -
pressure, stress p Pa
radius of gyration k m
ratio of specific heat capacities Υ (=cp/cv) -
second axial moment of force la m4
second polar moment of area lp m4
specific heat capacity, constant pressure cp -
specific heat capacity, constant volume cv -
specific heat capacity, staturation csat -
strain, linear ε -
strain, sheer Υ -
strain, volume strain, bulk strain Θ -
surface tension Υ N/m
temperature, thermodynamic temperature T, Θ K
temperature, Celsius temperature t, oC
temperature interval - K
thermal, conductivity λ, k w m-1 K-1
thermal, resistance Rth K/W
time t s
time constant τ s
torque T Nm
velocity, angular ω rad/s
velocity, linear v m/s
viscosity η Pa s
viscosity, kimematic m2/s
volume V m3
volume, specific v m3/kg
volume, flow rate gv m3/s
weight G N
work W j

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 9

7. Quantity Symbols for Electrotechnics

Quantity Symbol SI Unit

admittance Y S
attenuation A Np† dB†
attenuation coefficient α m-1
bandwidth B Hz
capacitance C F
charge Q C
charge density, surface σ C/m2
charge density, volume ρ C/m3
conductance G S
conductance, mutual gm S
conductivity Υ, σ S/m
control angle, rectifier α rad
control angle, inverter β rad
coupling factor k -
current I A
current density, area J A/m2
current density, linear A A/m
current linkage Θ A
damping coefficient δ s-1 (or Np/s)
decrement, logarithmic λ -
dipole moment, electric p Cm
dipole moment, magnetic j Wb m
dissipation factor d -
distortion factor d -
electric constant εo F/m
electric field, strength E V/m
electric field, level Le Np††
electric flux Ψ C
electric flux density D C/m2
electric polarisation P C/m2
electric susceptibility χ, χε -
electromotive force E V
energy E, We J
energy, Fermi ε J‡
feedback factor β -
frequency ƒ Hz
frequency, angular ω rad/s
frequency, deviation Δƒ Hz
frequency, complex angular p s-1
gain G -
group velocity cg, vg m/s
group delay tg s
Hall coefficient Rh, Ah m3/C
impedance Z Ω
impedance, characteristic Zo Ω
impedance, surge Zo Ω
inductance, self L H
inductance, mutual Ljk, M H
leakage factor σ -

† Not a SI unit but in common use—also see section 11 sub section Special remark on Logarithmic quantities and units
†† Not a SI unit but in common use
‡ More usually expressed in eV

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 10

7. Quantity Symbols for Electrotechnics (continued)

Quantity Symbol SI Unit

loss angle δ rad

magnetic constant μo H/m
magnetic field strength H A/m
magnetic flux Φ Wb
magnetic flux density B T
magnetic flux linkage Ψ Wb
magnetic (area) moment m A m2
magnetic polarisation Bi J T
magnetic susceptibility χ, κ -
magnetic vector potential A Wb/m
magnetisation Hi M A/m
magnetomotive force F, ƒμ A
mobility μ m2 V-1 s-1
modulation factor (a.m.) m -
modulation factor (f.m.) δ rad
noise factor F, Fn -
noise power Pn W
noise temperature Tn K
number density of particles n m-3
number of phases m -
number of pole pairs, pulses p -
number of turns N -
period T s
permeability, absolute μ H/m
permeability, relative μr -
permeance Λ H, Wb/A
permittivity, absolute ε F/m
permittivity, relative εr -
phase, angle Φ rad
phase, delay to rad
phase, deviation ΔΦ rad
phase change B rad
phase-change coefficient β rad/m
phase velocity cΦ, vΦ m/s
polarisation, electric P C/m2
polarisation, magnetic Bi J T
potential V V
potential difference U, V V
power, active P W
power, apparent S VA
power, reactive Q var†
power factor λ -
power factor, sinusoidal cos Φ -
power-level difference - Np†, dB†
Poynting vector S W/m2
propagation coefficient γ m-1
Q (quality) factor Q -
radiant energy Q, W J
radiation resistance Rr Ω

† Not a SI unit but in common use

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 11

7. Quantity Symbols for Electrotechnics (continued)

Quantity Symbol SI Unit

rating S V A, W
reactance X Ω
reflection coefficient r, p -
refractive index n -
regulation ε p.u.†
reluctance R, Rm H-1, A/Wb
resistance R Ω
resistance-temperature coefficient α K-1
resistivity ρ Ωm
signal S -
slip s -
standing-wave radio s -
susceptance B S
susceptibility, electric χ, χε -
susceptibility, magnetic χ, κ -
transconductance gm A/V, S
transfer function H -
transmission factor τ -
turn-on, turn-off time ton toff s
voltage U, V V
wavelength λ m
work function Φ J‡

† Not a SI unit but in common use

‡ More usually expressed in eV

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 12

8. Subscripts and other uses of Letters and Numbers
It is recommended as a guiding principle for the printing of subscripts that, when these are symbols for physical quantities, they
should be printed in italic type. Numbers as subscripts should be printed in roman type; mathematical variables (e.g. running
subscripts) should be printed in italic type. All other subscripts should be printed in roman type.

Some commonly used abbreviations, often occurring as subscripts, are as follows:

General

a absolute exp experimental

acoustic
active f field
additional filament, heater
alternating final
ambient forward
anode frequency
anti-resonance fl floating
axial
amb ambient g airgap
as asynchronous gate
av average grid
group
b backward
base h hysteresis
br breakdown height, depth
hybrid
c calculated
carrier i ideal
case image
coercive induced
collector initial
correction input
critical instantaneous
cut-off intermediate
ch chemical internal
cp composite intrinsic
cr critical im image
in insertion
d d-axis ind indirect
damped
delay j junction
deviation
diameter k cathode
difference knee
diffuse iterative
direct short circuit
dissipation K transformation ratio
distortion
dynamic l leakage
dem demodulation limiting
line
e effective local
electric longitudinal
emitter L load
equivalent large signal
error
external

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 13

8. Subscripts and other uses of Letters and Numbers (continued)

m magnetic r (cont) resonance

magnetising resulting
maximum reverse
measured reverse transfer
mechanical rotational
mutual rotor
peak value ref reference
max maximum rms root mean square value
med median
min mimimum s secondary
mod modulation segment
series
n natural signal
noise spherical
nominal standardised
static
o output stator
spherical characteristic in vacuo steady issue
oc open circuit storage
opt optical synchronous
or original sat saturation
ov overload sc short-circuit
sim simultaneous
p parallel, shunt sin sinusodial
parasitic stg storage
pole, or pairs of poles suc successive
primary
psophometric t tangential
pulse total
pd pull down transient
ph phase transmission
pk peak transverse
pt punch through th thermal
pu pull up theoretical
p-p peak-to-peak tot total

q q-axis u usual
quadrature useful
quiescent
turn off v luminous
vartying
r radical vacuum
radiation valley
rated
real wdg winding
relative
reflection x reactive
remanent crosstalk
residual

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 14

8. Subscripts and other uses of Letters and Numbers (continued)

0 characteristic 2 negative sequence

free space output
no load port 2
zero frequency second harmonic
secondary
1 full load
fundamental 3 tertiary
input
port 1 , p parallel
positive sequence ⊥, n perpendicular
primary 0, s spherical
∞ at infinity

Semiconductors
To the incremental hybrid (h), admittance (y) and impedance (z) parameters, double subscripts are applied in the order (1)
function, (2) common electrode:

(1) i or 11 input; o or 22 output; f or 21 forward transfer; r or 12 reverse transfer.

(2) b base; c collector; d drain; e emitter; g gate; s source (e.g. hoe, y12b).

The upper-case variant of the subscript is used for static (d.c.) or large-signal values (e.g. hFE, h21F).

The real and imaginary parts of a device impedance are shown, respectively, by Re and j Im (e.g. hie = Re (hie) + j Im (hie)).

Upper-case letters are used for the representation of electrical parameters of external circuits and all inductances and
capacitances. Except for L and C, lower-case letters are used for electrical parameters inherent in the device (e.g. re). In equivalent
circuits using 3-terminal devices, a third letter may be used to indicate the condition at the third terminal (e.g. VCBO where IE = 0),
while the first subscript indicates one terminal of the device and the second subscript the reference terminal or circuit node.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 15

9. Mathematical Symbols

Term Symbol

√–1 j
ratio of circumference to diameter of circle π(≈3.141 592 654)
base of natural logarithms e (≈2.718 281 828)
exponential function (to the base e) of x ex, exp x
logarithm to the base a of x logax
natural logarithm of x ln x (≡logcx)
common logarithm of x lg x (≡log10x)
binary logarithm of x lb x (≡log2x)

circular functions of x sin x, cos x, tan x

inverse circular functions of x arcsin x, arccos x, arctan x
hyperbolic functions of x sinh x, cosh x, tanh x
inverse hyperbolic functions of x arsinh x, arcosh x, artanh x

sum ∑
product Π
function ƒ ƒ
value of the function ƒ at x ƒ(x)
limit to which ƒ(x) tends as x lim ƒ(x)
approaches a x→a

finite increment of x ∆x
variation of x ∂ƒ
total differential of ƒ dƒ
operators ∂, d Dx, D
∂x dx
differential coefficient of order dnƒ , ƒ(n)(x)
n of ƒ(x) dxn
partial differential coefficient of order
ƒ (x, y, ...) with respect to x, when
y, ... are held constant
∂ƒ (x, y,...),
∂x ( ) ∂ƒ
∂x ,...
y

indefinite integral of ƒ(x) with respect to x ∫ƒ(x)dx

b
definitive integral of ƒ(x) from ∫ a ƒ(x)dx
x = a to x = b
convolution product of ƒ and g ƒ*g

( )
matrix A All..........Aln
. .
. .
Aml..........Amn
inverse of the square matrix A A–l
transpose matrix of A AT, Ã
complex conjugate matrix of A A*
determinant of the square matrix A det A, An.......... Aln
. .
. .
Anl..........Ann

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 16

9. Mathematical Symbols (continued)

Term Symbol

vector A A, (A also used)

→
magnitude of the vector A A, A
scalar product of A and B A•B
vector product of A and B AxB
del operator ∇
gradient of ø ∇ø, grad ø
divergence of A ∇ • A, div A
curl of A ∇ x A, curl A
Laplacian ∇2 = ∂2 + ∂2 + ∂2
∂x2 ∂y2 ∂z2
D’Alembertian □ = ∂2 + ∂2 + ∂2 − 1 · ∂2
∂x2 ∂y2 ∂z2 c2 ∂t2

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 17

10. Physical Constants

Quantity Symbol Numerical Value Unit

acceleration of free fall (standard) gn 9.806 65* m/s2

atmospheric pressure (standard) po 1.013 25 x 105* Pa
atomic mass constant (unified) mu 1.660 540 x 10-27 kg
Avogadro constant NA 6.022 137 x 1023 mol-1
Bohr magneton μB 9.274 015 x 10-24 J/T
Boltzmann constant k 1.380 658 x 10-23 J/K
elementary (proton) charge e 1.602 177 x 10-19 C
electron: charge -e -1.602 177 x 10-19 C
electron: rest mass me 9.109 390 x 10-31 kg
electron: charge/mass ratio e/me 1.758 820 x 1011 C/kg
Faraday constant F 9.648 531 x 104 C/mol
free space: electric constant εo 8.854 188 x 10-12 F/m
free space: intrinsic impedance Zo 376.730 3 Ω
free space: magnetic constant μo 4π x 10-7 H/m
free space: speed of e.m. waves c 2.997 924 58 x 108* m/s
gravitational constant G 6.672 59 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
ideal molar gas constant R 8.314 510 J mol-1 K-1
neutron rest mass mn 1.674 929 x 10-27 kg
Planck constant h 6.626 076 x 10-34 Js
normalised ħ 1.054 573 x 10-34 Js
proton: charge +e 1.602 177 x 10-19 C
proton: rest mass mp 1.672 623 x 10-27 kg
proton: charge/mass ratio e/mp 9.578 831 x 107 C/kg
radiation constants c1 3.741 775 x 10-16 W m2
c2 1.438 769 x 10-2 mK
Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ 5.670 51 x 10-8 W m-2 K-4
unified atomic mass unit (is one twelfth of 1.660 540 x 10-27 kg
the mass of the atom of the nuclide 12C)
velocity of sound in air (s.t.p.) c 331.45 m/s

* exact values

Values of physical constants (apart from speed of sound) derived from CODATA Bulletin No. 63, Nov. 1986.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 18

11. Conversion Factors
Exact values are shown with an asterisk *.
Some of these units may no longer have a legal validity.

Length

1Å 100.0* pm
1 mil 25.4* μm
1 in 25.4* mm
1 ft 0.304 8* m
1 yd 0.914 4* m
1 mile 1.609 344* km
1 nautical mile 1.852* km
1 astronomical unit 0.149 597 87* Tm
1 light year 9.460 3 Pm

Area, Volume

1 in2 645.16* mm2

1 ft2 0.092 903 04* m2
1 yd2 0.836 127 m2
1 ha 10 000.0* m2
1 in3 16 387.064* mm3
1 litre 1.0* dm3
1 UK fluid ounce 28.41 x 10–6 m3
1 UK gal 4.546 09 L
1 US gal 3.785 41 L
1 ft3 0.028 316 8 m3
1 yd3 0.764 555 m3
1 mile2 (640 acres) 2.589 98 km2
1 are 100.0* m2
1 acre (4840 yd2) 4 046.855 m2

Mass, Density

1 oz (adp) 28.35 g
1 oz (troy) 31.10 g
1 lb 0.453 592.37* kg
1 tonne 1 000.0* kg
1 (UK) ton 1 016.05 kg
1 lb/ft3 16.018 5 kg/m3
1 lb/in3 27.68 Mg/m3
1 cwt (UK) 50.802 3 kg
1 carat 0.2* g

Velocity

1 ft/s 0.304 8* m/s

1 mile/h 0.447 04* m/s
1 knot 0.514 4 m/s

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 19

Force, Pressure, Torque

1 ozf 278.0 mN
1 lbf 4.448 22 N
1 kgf 9.806 65* N
1 Torr 133.322 Pa
1 mm Hg 133.322 Pa
1 in H2O 249.09 Pa
1 m H2O 9.806 65* kPa
1 bar 100.0* kPa
1 lbf/in2 6.894 76 kPa
1 ft lbf 1.355 82 Nm
1 dyne 10.0* μN
1 standard atmosphere 0.101 325* MPa

Energy, Power

1 eV 0.160 218 2 aJ
1 cal (international table) 4.186 8* J
1 Cal (= 1 kcal thermochemical)† 4.184* kJ
1 ft lbf 1.355 82 J
1 m kgf 9.806 65* J
1 Btu 1.055 06 kJ
1 therm 105.506 MJ
1 kW h 3.6* Mj
1 ft lbf/s 1.355 82 W
1 m kgf/s 9.806 65* W
1 Btu/h 0.293 071 W
1 hp (UK) 0.745 7 kW
1 erg/s 0.1* μW

† Widely used for energy content of food. (There are different ‘calories’, of marginally different sizes; also note that the ‘big calorie’,
used in newspapers etc., is 1000 times the corresponding ‘small calorie’.)

Nucleonics, Radiation

Curie 1 Ci 3.70 x 1010* Bq

rad 1 rd 0.01* Gy
Röntgen 1R 2.58 x 10–4* C/kg
barn 1 barn (or 1 b) 10–28* m2
foot-candle 1 ft cd 10.76 lx

Special remark on logarithmic quantities and units

The expression for the time dependence of a damped harmonic oscillation can be written either in real notation or as the real part
of a complex notation

F(t) = A e–∂t cos(ωt) = Re(A e–(∂+jω)t)

This simple relation involving ∂ and ω can be obtained only when e (base of natural logarithms) is used as the base of the
exponential function. The coherent SI unit for the damping coefficient ∂ and the angular frequency ω is second to the power
minus one, i.e. 1/s. Using the special names neper, Np, and radian, rad, for the units of ∂t and ωt respectively, the units for ∂
and ω become neper per second, Np/s, and radian per second, rad/s, respectively. Neper and radian are special names for the
‘dimensionless’ unit one, 1. The neper is used as a unit for logarithmic quantities; the radian is used as a unit for plane
angles and for the phase of circular functions.

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 20

Corresponding variation in space is treated in the same manner

F(x) = A e–αx cos(βx) = Re(A e–γx), γ = α+ jβ

where the unit for α is neper per metre, Np/m, and the unit for β is radian per metre, rad/m.

In ISO 31, the level of a field quantity is therefore defined as the natural logarithm of a ratio of two amplitudes, LF = ln(F/F0), and is
hence a quantity of dimension one. The unit neper (= the number 1) is the level of a field quantity when F/F0 = e.

Since power is often proportional to the square of an amplitude, a factor 1/2 is introduced in the definition of the level of a power
quantity Lp = (1/2) ln(P/P0) in order to make the level of the power quantity under these circumstances equal to the level of the
field quantity.

In practice the non-coherent unit degree, …°, (1° = π/180 rad) is often used for angles and the non-coherent unit bel, B, [1 B =
(1/2) loge10 Np ≈ 1.151 293 Np] is based on common logarithms (base 10) for logarithmic quantities. Instead of the bel, its sub-
multiple the decibel, dB, is commonly used.

Some numerical conversion factors are:

power level 1 dB 0.05 loge 10 Np (=0.115 129 Np)

1 Np 20 log10 e dB (≈8.686 dB
frequency 1 octave log10 2 decade (≈0.301 decade)
1 decade log2 10 octave (≈3.321 octave)

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 21

12. Graphical Symbols
Connections and network elements

+ R
Y
˜ B
- N
cell battery d.c. supply a.c. supply n conductors screened
(long +ve) conductor

screen crossing junctions common antenna earth

in out

frame fuse microphone loudspeaker one-port two-port

symbol in envelope: 1
A ammeter Z or x=0
V voltmeter 2
W wattmeter
indicating etc. general impedance resistor non-reactive U (or V) non-linear
movement (1 prefered)

1
or
±θ 2

thermistor † moving contact general impedance variable tapping capacitor

(1 prefered)

+ +
+
or or

pre-set polarised ideal voltage ideal current signal oscillator

e.g. electrolytic source † source †

signal path

† Not in BS but in common use

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 22

Power plant
Transformers:

if desired, core shown

or or or by single line annotated
to indicate material

2-wdg 3-wdg auto current or pulse

Machines:

descriptive symbols in envelope:

G (generator), M (motor), G d.c., M
a.c.
S (synchronous), GS, MS
linear M stepping M wdgs M starter
-
/- d.c.
or
{ ~/- rectifier
-
/~ inverter
etc.
choke reactor circuit-breaker isolator gap bridge rectifier converter

Electronic devices
Amplifiers:

general operational parametric integrating inverting

Diodes:

general breakdown diode, photo-diode light emitting diode tunnel diode varactor
Esaki diode

Thyristors:

triode thyristor triac reverse blocking n-gate triode thyristor p-gate

(type unspecified)

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 23

Electronic devices (continued)
Cells:

photo-conductive device photo-voltaic

Transistors:

(for p-type arrows

are reversed)

npn transistor JUGFET IGFET † IGFET † unijunction

n-channel n-channel n-channel transistor with
enhancement depletion n-type base

(use of the envelope symbol is optional unless there is a connection to it)

† with substrate connection brought out

Logic symbols

BS 3939 (1991) f f
† xy f x
y
x
5 ns
ST
z z y

≥1 =1 5 ns
&

AND element Or element EX CL OR delay element Schmitt trigger

(5 ns)
† Not in BS but in common use

input output input output

logic negation logic polarity dynamic input

S G ROM *
asterisk: asterisk:
*
indicates no. of ∑ adder
R addresses and P-Q subtractor
bits π multiplier
RS-bistable astable element monostable memories: arithmetic
ROM; PROM; elements ALU arithmetic
RAM; CAM logic unit

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 24

Logic symbols (continued)

SRGm CTRm m1 DPV MUX DX

*
m2

shift register counter display unit multiplexer demultiplexer

Optic fibre symbols

a/b/c/d

optical fibre multimode stepped single mode graded index a core diameter permanent joint
optical fibre cable index optical fibre stepped index optical fibre b cladding "
optical fibre c first coating "
d jacketing "

dB

optical connection female- optical attenuator changeover contact in

male optical fibre circuit

guided light devices

Telecommunication symbols

general
in out low pass
dB dB high pass
band pass
carrier band stop

general symbol for: fixed loss attenuator variable loss attenuator distortion corrector filter
modulator,
demodulator,
discriminator

{
f1/f2 freq. chgr. asterisk
f /(f/n) freq. div. * artificial line
f /nf freq. mult.
delay line
25/27 code conv. etc
general symbol for charger balancing network hybrid transformer delay line
asterisk
G sine wave
saw tooth
* pulse
variable frequency

piezo-electric circuit threshold generator

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 25

Microwave devices

rectangular flexible twisted rectangular coaxial taper

or

stripline short-circuit sliding short-circuit non-contacting matched termination

3 conductors piston
λ
λ 4 λ
4 4

3λ
4
three-port junction four-port junction hybrid ring three-port circulator directional coupler quadrature coupler

G
Φ

isolator phase changer T-R tube cavity resonator maser amplifier laser generator
(directional)

Flowchart symbols

connector terminal / process decision data direct access on-line sequential

interrupt storage storage access
storage

stored data internal preparation predefined manual auxiliary merge extract

storage process operation operation

control loop limit collate sort document display manual input

transfer

off-line magnetic disk

storage

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 26

13. Some Abbreviations
Commonly used abbreviations in optical, logic and microprocessor circuits

Abbreviation Description Abbreviation Description

ACC accept INH inhibit

ACK acknowledge INT interrupt
ADR address I/O input / output
ALU arthmetic logic unit
LD load
BCD binary code decimel LOG 1 logical one
BCTR bit counter LOG Z logical zero
BIN binary LSB least-significant bit
BPS bits per second
BUF buffer MAR memory address register
BUS bus MM main memory
B byte MPX multiplex
MR memory register
CAR carry MSB most significant bit
CC condition code MUX multiplexor
CE chip enabled μP microprocessor
CLK clock
CLR clear N negation
COMP compare
CP clock pulse OCT octal
CR clock register OP operation
CT count
CTR counter PAR parity
CY cycle PC program counter
PE parity error
D data PU pull up
DEC decimal
DEL delay RAM random access memory
DIN data in REG register
DOUT data out RES reset
DR data register RO read out
DRAM dynamic random access memory ROM read only memory
RUN run
EN enable
END end SET set
EPROM electronic programmable read only memory SH shift
ERASE erase SRAM static random access memory
ERR error START start
EXOR exclusive or STOP stop
STR storage
F function SYNC synchronisation
FF flip-flop
FIFO first in - first out TERM terminate
TO to (transfer)
G gate TP time pulse
GEN generate TRIG trigger
GND ground
WI write in
HEX hexidecimal WR write

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 27

Component identification abbreviations

Abbreviation Description Abbreviation Description

AE aerial L inductor
LK link
B battery LP lamp
BB busbar LS loudspeaker

C capacitor M motor
CB circuit breaker ME meter
CK clock MG motor generator
CON contactor MIC microphone
CSR controlled semicondustor rectifier MK morse key
ML module
D diode MT telephone handset
MX matrix
EQ equaliser
PCC photoconductive cell
F fan PEC photoelectric cell
FB ferrite disc or bead PL plug
FC ferrite core
FL filter RE recording instrument or meter
FS fuse
FW field winding SD surge diverter of any type
SE sealing end
G generator SEM semaphore indicator
SHW shunt winding
H heater SRAM static random access memory
HC heat coil SW seires winding
HD hydrophone
TD transductor
IC integrated circuit TL telephone receiver
IREG induction regulator
ISL isolator U unit

K key VB vibrator

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 28

14. Letter and Digit Code for R & C Values
For resistors, R, K, M, G and T are used as multipliers for 1, 103, 106, 109 and 1012, respectively, of resistance values expressed
in ohms, whilst for capacitors, p, n, μ, m and F are used as multipliers for 10–12, 10–9, 10–6, 10–3 and 1, respectively, of the
capacitance values expressed in farads.

For example:

Resistance values Coded marking Capacitance values Coded marking

0.15 Ω R15 0.15 pF p15

1.5 Ω 1R5 1.5 pF 1p5
15.0 Ω 15R 15.0 pF 15p
1.5 kΩ 1K5 1.5 nF 1n5
150 kΩ 150K 150 nF 150n
1.5 MΩ 1M5 1.5 μF 1μ5
15 MΩ 15M 15 μF 15μ
1.5 GΩ 1G5 1.5 mF 1m5
1.5 TΩ 1T5 15 mF 15m

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 29

Appendix A
List of Standards used in complilation of 'Units & Symbols'
British Standards Institution (BSI) Publications

BS 3363: 1988 Letter symbols for semiconductor devices and integrated microcircuits
BS 3939: 1992 Graphical symbols for electrical power, telecommunications and electronics diagrams
BS 4058: 1995 Data processing flow chart symbols, rules and conventions
BS 5070: 1991 Engineering diagram drawing practice. Part 4: recommendations for logic diagrams
BS 5555: 1993 SI Units and recommendations for the use of their multiples (ISO 1000: 1992) and of certain other units
BS 5775: 1993 Quantities, units and symbols. Part 5: electricity and (ISO 31: 1992) magnetism. Part 11: mathematical
signs and symbols for use in the physical sciences and technology

Note: The information given in the Booklet is in accordance (where relevant) with the Council* Directive on Units of Measurement
(1991).

*The Council of the European Communities

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 30

Appendix B
Typefaces used
English Alphabet

Upper case upright Lower case upright Upper case sloping Lower case sloping

A a A a
B b B b
C c C c
D d D d
E e E e
F f F f
G g G g
H h H h
I i I i
J j J j
K k K k
L l L l
M m M m
N n N n
O o O o
P p P p
Q q Q q
R r R r
S s S s
T t T t
U u U u
V v V v
W w W w
X x X x
Y y Y y
Z z Z z

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 31

Appendix B
Typefaces used
Greek Alphabet

Upper case upright Lower case upright Upper case sloping Lower case sloping

alpha Α α Α α
beta Β β Β β
gamma Γ γ Γ γ
delta Δ δ, δ* Δ δ
epsilon Ε ε Ε ε
zeta Ζ ζ Ζ ζ
eta Η η Η η
theta Θ θ Θ θ
iota Ι ι Ι ι
kappa Κ κ Κ κ
lambda Λ λ Λ λ
mu Μ μ Μ μ
nu Ν ν Ν ν
xi Ξ ξ Ξ ξ
omicron Ο ο Ο ο
pi Π π Π π
rho Ρ ρ Ρ ρ
sigma Σ σ Σ σ
tau Τ τ Τ τ
upsilon Υ υ Υ υ
phi Φ φ Φ φ
chi Χ χ Χ χ
psi Ψ ψ Ψ ψ
omega Ω ω Ω ω

*Used only for partial differential coefficients

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering 32

Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering
© The IET 2009

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Units & Symbols for Electrical & Electronic Engineering