ELECTRONICS CKTS

SYMBOLS
In electronic circuits, there are many electronic symbols that are used to represent or identify a
basic electronic or electrical device. They are mostly used to draw a circuit diagram and are
standardized internationally by the IEEE standard (IEEE Std 315) and the British Standard (BS
3939). NO changes can be brought by the user on any electronic symbol, but the user is free to
bring any changes in the architectural drawings like power source and lighting.

Electronic Symbols
The symbols for different electronic devices are shown below. Click on each link given below to
view the symbols. Apart from the circuit symbols, each device is also designated a short name.
Though these names are not approved as standard notations, they are commonly used by most
people. These designations are also given in the list.
Wires | Power Supplies | Resistor | Capacitor |Diode | Transistor | Logic Gates | Meters |
Sensors | Switches | Audio and Radio Devices | Output Devices

Wires
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
Used to connect one component to another.

Wire
Wire Circuit Symbol
One device may be connected to another through
wires. This is represented by drawing blobs on
the point where they are shorted.

Wires Joined
Wires Joined Circuit Symbol

Unjoined
Wires
Wires Not Joined Circuit
Symbol

Power Supplies

When circuits are drawn some wires may not

touch others. This can only be shown by
bridging them or by drawing them without
blobs. But bridging is commonly practised as
there will not arise any confusion.

Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
Used to provide a supply for a circuit.

Cell
Cell Circuit Symbol

Battery
Battery Circuit Symbol

A battery has more than a cell and is used for the

same purpose. The smaller terminal is negative
and the larger one is positive. Abbreviated as
B.
Used as a DC power supply, that is, the current
will always flow in one direction.

DC Supply
DC Supply Circuit Symbol

Used as AC power supply, that is, the current

will keep alternating directions.

AC Supply
AC Supply Circuit Symbol

Fuse
Fuse Circuit Symbol

Used in circuits where a probability of excessive

current flows. The fuse will break the circuit if
excessive current flows and saves the other
devices from damage.

Transformer

Used as an ac power supply. Consists of two

coils, the primary and secondary that are linked
together through an iron core. There is no
physical connection between the two coils. The
principle of mutual inductance is used to obtain
Transformer Circuit Symbol power. Abbreviated as T.

Earth/Ground

Used in electronic circuits to represent the 0

volts of the power supply. It can also be defined
as the real earth , when it is applied in radio
circuits and power circuits.

Earth Circuit Symbol

Resistor
Electronic
Component
Resistor

Circuit Symbol

Description
A resistor is used to restrict the amount of current
flow through a device. Abbreviated as R.

Resistor Circuit Symbol

Rheostat
Rheostat Circuit Symbol

Potentiometer

Potentiometer Circuit
Symbol

Preset
Preset Circuit Symbol

A rheostat is used to control the current flow with

two contacts. Applicable in controlling lamp
brightness, capacitor charge rate, etc.
A potentiometer is used to control the voltage
flow and has three contacts. Have applications in
changing a mechanical angle change to an
electrical parameter. Abbreviated as POT.
Presets are low cost variable resistors that are used
to control the charge flow with the help of a screw
driver. Applications where the resistance is
determined only at the end of the circuit design.

Capacitor
Electronic
Component

Capacitor

Capacitor Polarized

Variable
Capacitor

Circuit Symbol

Description

Capacitor is a device that is used to store

electrical energy. It consists of two metals plates
that are separated by a dielectric. It is applicable as
Capacitor Circuit Symbol a filter, that is, to block DC signals and allow AC
signals. Abbreviated with the letter C.
Capacitor can be used in a timer circuit by adding
a resistor.
Capacitor-Polarised
Circuit Symbol
Used to vary the capacitance by turning the knob.
A type of variable capacitor is the trimmer
Variable Capacitor Circuit capacitor that is small in size. The notations are all
the same.
Symbol

Diode
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description

A diode is used to allow electric current to

flow in only one direction. Abbreviated as
D.

Diode
Diode Circuit Symbol

LED is used to emit light when a current is

passed through the device. It is abbreviated as
LED.

Light Emitting
Diode (LED)
LED Circuit Symbol

After a breakdown voltage, the device allows

current to flow in the reverse direction as
well. It is abbreviated as Z.

Zener Diode
Zener Diode Circuit Symbol

Photodiode works as a photo-detector and

converts light into its corresponding voltage
or current.

Photo Diode
Photo Diode Circuit Symbol

Tunnel Diode is known for its high-speed

operation due to its application in quantum
mechanical effects.

Tunnel Diode
Tunnel Diode Circuit Symbol

The Schottky Diode is known for its large

forward voltage drop and hence has great
applications in switching circuits.

Schottky Diode
Schottky Diode Circuit
Symbol

Transistor
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
This is a transistor with a layer of P-doped
semiconductor fixed between two layers of
N-doped semiconductors that act as the
emitter and collector. Abbreviated as Q.

NPN Transistor
Transistor NPN Circuit Symbol

This is a transistor with a layer of N-doped

semiconductor fixed between two layers of
P-doped semiconductors that act as the
emitter and collector. Abbreviated as Q.

PNP Transistor
Transistor PNP Circuit Symbol

Phototransistor Circuit Symbol

The working of a phototransistoris similar

to that of a bipolar transistor with a
difference that it converts light into its
corresponding current. The phototransistor
can also act as a photodiode if the emitter is
not connected.

Field Effect Transistor Circuit

Symbol

Like a transistor, a FET has three terminals,

the Gate, Source and Drain. The device has
an electric field that controls the
conductivity of a channel of one type
charge carrier in a semiconductor
substance.

Phototransistor

Field Effect
Transistor

N-Channel
Junction FET

Electronic
Component

P-Channel
Junction FET

Metal Oxide
Semiconductor
FET

n-channel Junction Field Effect

Transistor (JFET) Circuit
Symbol
Circuit Symbol

p-channel Junction Field Effect

Transistor (FET) Circuit Symbol

Given Below

The Junction Field Effect Transistor

(JFET) is the simplest type of FET with
applications in Switching and voltage
variable resistor. In an N-channel JFET an
N-type silicon bar has two smaller pieces of
P-type silicon material diffused on each
sides of its middle part, forming P-N
junctions.
Description
P-channel JFET is similar in construction to
N-channel JFET except that P-type
semiconductor base is sandwiched between
two N-type junctions. In this case majority
carriers are holes.
Abbreviated as MOSFET. MOSFET is a
three terminal device and is controlled by a
gate bias. It is known for its low
capacitance and low input impedance.

Enhancement
MOSFET
e-MOSFET Circuit Symbol

The enhancement MOSFET structure has

no channel formed during its construction.
Voltage is applied to the gate, so as to
develop a channel of charge carriers so that
a current results when a voltage is applied
across
the
drain-source
terminals.
Abbreviated as e-MOSFET.
In the depletion-mode construction a
channel is physically constructed and a
current between drain and source is due to
voltage applied across the drain-source
terminals. Abbreviated as d-MOSFET.

Depletion
MOSFET
d-MOSFET Circuit Symbol

Logic Gates
Gate

Standard Symbol

IEC Symbol

AND Gate IEC Symbol

If all the inputs of an AND gate

are HIGH, then the output will
also be HIGH. If any one of them
is LOW, the output will also be
LOW.

NAND Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for NOT AND Gate.

Of all the inputs are HIGH, the
output will be LOW. If any one
input is LOW, the output will be
HIGH.

AND
Gate
AND GATE Symbol

NAND
Gate
NAND Gate Symbol

Description

If any one of the input is HIGH,

the output will also be HIGH. If
both inputs are LOW, the output
will also be LOW.

OR
Gate
OR Gate Symbol

OR Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for NOT OR. If both

inputs are LOW, the output will
also be LOW. For other cases, the
output will be HIGH.

NOR
Gate
NOR Gate Symbol

NOR Gate IEC Symbol

EX-OR
Gate
EX-OR Gate Symbol

EXNOR
Gate

EX-OR Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for Exclusive NOR. If

both inputs are either in LOW
state r HIGH state, the output will
be LOW. If both inputs are
different, the output will be HIGH.

Short form for Exclusive NOT

OR. If both the inputs are the
same, the output will be HIGH. If
both are different, the output will
EX-NOR Gate Symbol EX-NOR Gate IEC Symbol also be different.

NOT
Gate
NOT Gate Symbol

NOT Gate Symbol

Also known as the inverter Gate.

There is only one input for this
gate. If the input is HIGH, the
output will be LOW. If the input is
LOW, the output will be HIGH.

Meters
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
Voltmeter is used to measure the voltage at a
certain point in the circuit.

Voltmeter
Voltmeter Circuit Symbol

An Ammeter is used to measure the current that

passes through the circuit at a particular point.

Ammeter
Ammeter Circuit Symbol

Galvanometer

A galvanometer is used to measure very small

currents in the order of 1 milli ampere or less.
Galvanometer Circuit
Symbol

Resistance of the circuit is measured using an

Ohmmeter.

Ohmmeter
Ohmmeter Circuit Symbol

Oscilloscope
Oscilloscope Circuit
Symbol

An oscilloscope is used to measure the voltage and

time period of signals along with their shape
display.

Sensors
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description

LDR Circuit Symbol

It is abbreviated as LDR. Light Dependent

Resistor is used to convert light into its
corresponding resistance. Instead of directly
measuring the light, it senses the heat content and
converts it onto resistance.

Light Dependent
Resistor (LDR)

Thermistor

Thermistor Circuit
Symbol

Instead of directly measuring the light, a thermistor

senses the heat content and converts it into
resistance. Abbreviated as TH.

Switches
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
This is an ordinary switch that passes current only
upon pressing.

Push Switch
Push Switch Circuit Symbol

Push to Break
Switch

Singe Pole
Single Throw
Switch

The push to break switch is usually kept in the ON

state (closed). It turns to OFF state (open) only
when the switch is pressed.
Push to Break Switch Circuit
Symbol

Also known as the ON/OFF switch. This switch

allows the flow of current only when it is kept
ON. Abbreviated as SPST.

On Off Switch (SPST) Circuit

Symbol

Also known as the 2-way switch. It can be also

Single Pole
called as an ON/OFF/ON switch as it has an OFF
Double Throw
position in the center. The switch causes the flow
Switch
2-Way Switch (SPDT) Circuit of current in two directions, depending on its
Symbol
position. It can be abbreviated as SPDT.
Double Pole
Single Throw
Switch

Abbreviated as DPST. Can also be called as a dual

ON-OFF switch. This is used to isolate between
the live and neutral connections in the main
Dual On-Off Switch (DPST) electrical line.
Circuit Symbol

Abbreviated as DPDT. The switch uses a central

OFF position and is applied as reversing switch
for motors.

Double Pole
Double Throw
Switch
DPDT Circuit Symbol

Relay
Relay Circuit Symbol

Relay is abbreviated as RY. This device can

easily switch a 230 Volt AC mains circuit. It has
three switching stages called Normally Open
(NO). Normally Closed (NC), and Common
(COM).

Audio and Radio Devices

Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Description
This device is used for converting sound to its
corresponding electrical energy. Abbreviated as
MIC.

Microphone
Microphone Circuit Symbol

Does the reverse process of microphone and

converts electrical energy into sound.

Earphone
Earphone Circuit Symbol

Does the same operation as an earphone, but

converts an amplified version of the electrical
energy into its corresponding sound.

Loudspeaker
Loudspeaker Circuit Symbol

It is a transducer that converts electrical energy

into sound.

PiezoTransducer

PiezoTransducer Circuit
Symbol
Used to amplify a signal. It is mainly used to
represent a whole circuit rather than just one
component.

Amplifier
Amplifier Circuit Symbol

This device is used to transmit/receive signals.

Abbreviated as AE.

Aerial
Aerial Circuit Symbol

Output Devices
Electronic
Component

Circuit Symbol

Lighting
Lamp

Description
This is used to provide light for the output.

Lamp Circuit Symbol

Indicator
Lamp

Used to convert electrical energy into light. The

best example is the warning light on a car
dashboard.
Lamp Indiator Circuit Symbol

Heater

This transducer is used to change electrical

energy into heat.
Heater Circuit Symbol

Inductor

Inductor is used to produce a magnetic field

when a certain current is passed through a coil of
wire. The wire is coiled on a soft iron core. Have

Inductor Circuit Symbol

Motor

applications in motors, and tank circuits.

Abbreviated as L.
This device is used to convert electrical energy
into mechanical energy. Can be used as a
generator as well. Abbreviated as M.

Motor Circuit Symbol

Bell

Used to produce a sound as the output, according

to the electrical energy produced as the input.
Bell Circuit Symbol

Buzzer

It is used to produce an output sound

corresponding to the electrical energy in the
input.
Buzzer Circuit Symbol