COMMONLY USED SYMBOLS IN CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS

In electrical and electronic circuit diagrams we use symbols to represent each components. To understand a circuit diagram it is necessary to know the symbols. There are 100s of symbols we will see in electronics. To understand basic circuits atleast we need to know some of the basic symbols.

Here is an overview of the commonly used symbols you must know to understand circuit diagrams.  

Battery

    

Capacitor

Standard capacitor (EU style)	Polarized capacitor (EU style)
Standard capacitor (US style)	Polarized capacitor (US style)

Resistor

American style resistor

European style resistor

Variable resistor (Potentiometer)

     Variable resistor

Diode

Standard diode

Zener diode

Light emitting diode (LED)

Transistor

Bipolar Junction Transistor (NPN)

Inductor

           Inductor

Integrated Circuit

Integrated circuits (IC) are usually shown as rectangular boxes with pin names. Below, an example of the 555 timer IC is shown.

The “555 timer” integrated circuit

Operational Amplifier

Operational amplifier

Switch

      A simple switch

Transformer 

The transformer symbol