Wires and connections

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component

Wire To pass current very 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 join In complex diagrams it is often necessary
ed to draw wires crossing even though they
are not connected. I prefer the 'bridge'
symbol shown on the right because the
simple crossing on the left may be
misread as a join where you have
forgotten to add a 'blob'!
Power Supplies
Componen Circuit Symbol Function of Component
t
Cell Supplies electrical energy.
The larger terminal (on the left) is positive
(+).
A single cell is often called a battery, but
strictly a battery is two or more cells joined
together.
Battery Supplies electrical energy. A battery is more
than one cell.
The larger terminal (on the left) 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.
Transforme Two coils of wire linked by an iron core.
r 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 A connection to earth. For many electronic
(Ground) circuits this is 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 Devices
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
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 (indicato A transducer which converts electrical
r) 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 A coil of wire which creates a magnetic

(Coil, field when current passes through it. It
Solenoid) may have an iron core inside the coil. It
can be used as a transducer converting
electrical energy to mechanical energy by
pulling on something.
Switches
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Push Switch A push switch allows current to flow only
(push-to- when the button is pressed. This is the
make) switch used to operate a doorbell.
Push-to- This type of push switch is normally
Break closed (on), it is open (off) only when the
Switch button is pressed.
On-Off SPST = Single Pole, Single Throw.
Switch An on-off switch allows current to flow
(SPST) only when it is in the closed (on) position.
2-way SPDT = Single Pole, Double Throw.
Switch A 2-way changeover switch directs the
(SPDT) 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'.
Dual On-Off DPST = Double Pole, Single Throw.
Switch A dual on-off switch which is often used
(DPST) to switch mains electricity because it can
isolate both the live and neutral
connections.
Reversing DPDT = Double Pole, Double Throw.
Switch This switch can be wired up as a
(DPDT) 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 a 230V AC mains
circuit.
NO = Normally Open, COM = Common,
NC = Normally Closed.
Resistors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Resistor A resistor restricts the flow of current, for
example to limit the current passing
through an LED. A resistor is used with a
capacitor in a timing circuit.
Some publications still use the old
resistor symbol:
Variable Resist This type of variable resistor with 2
or contacts (a rheostat) is usually used to
(Rheostat) control current. Examples include:
adjusting lamp brightness, adjusting
motor speed, and adjusting the rate of
flow of charge into a capacitor in a timing
circuit.
Variable Resist This type of variable resistor with 3
or contacts (a potentiometer) is usually
(Potentiometer) used to control voltage. It can be used
like this as a transducer converting
position (angle of the control spindle) to
an electrical signal.
Variable Resist This type of variable resistor (a preset) is
or operated with a small screwdriver or
(Preset) similar tool. It is designed to be set when
the circuit is made and then left without
further adjustment. Presets are cheaper
 than normal variable resistors so they
are often used in projects to reduce the
cost.
Capacitors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Capacitor A capacitor stores electric charge. A
capacitor is used with a resistor in a
timing circuit. It can also be used as a
filter, to block DC signals but pass AC
signals.
Capacitor, A capacitor stores electric charge. This
polarized type must be connected the correct
way round. A capacitor is used with a
resistor in a timing circuit. It can also
be used as a filter, to block DC signals
but pass AC signals.
Variable Capacit A variable capacitor is used in a radio
or tuner.

Trimmer This type of variable capacitor (a

Capacitor trimmer) 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.
Diodes
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Diode A device which only allows current to
flow in one direction.
LED A transducer which converts electrical
Light Emitting Dio energy to light.
de
Zener Diode A special diode which is used to
maintain a fixed voltage across its
terminals.
Photodiode A light-sensitive diode.

Transistors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Transistor NP A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with
N other components to make an amplifier or switching
circuit.

Transistor PN A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with

P other components to make an amplifier or switching
circuit.

Phototransist A light-sensitive transistor.

or

Audio and Radio Devices

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
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 Transduc A transducer which converts electrical energy

er to sound.

Amplifier An amplifier circuit with one input. Really it is a

(general symbol block diagram symbol because it represents a
) circuit rather than just one component.

Aerial A device which is designed to receive or

(Antenna) transmit radio signals. It is also known as an
antenna.

Meters and Oscilloscope

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
 Voltmeter A voltmeter is used to measure voltage.
The proper name for voltage is 'potential
difference', but most people prefer to say
voltage!
Ammeter An ammeter is used to measure current.

Galvanomete A galvanometer is a very sensitive meter

r which is used to measure tiny currents,
usually 1mA or less.
Ohmmeter An ohmmeter is used to measure
resistance. Most multi-meters have an
ohmmeter setting.
Oscilloscope An oscilloscope is used to display the
shape of electrical signals and it can be
used to measure their voltage and time
period.
Sensors (input devices)
Componen Circuit Symbol Function of Component
t
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 Gates
Gate Traditional Symbol IEC Symbol Function of Gate
Type
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- An EX-OR gate can only have two
OR inputs. The output of an EX-OR gate
is true when its inputs are different
(one true, one false).
EX- An EX-NOR gate can only have two
NOR 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 and both false).