ELECTRICAL DIAGRAMS AND SCHEMATICS

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Electronic Diagrams, Prints, and Schematic

To read and understand an electronic diagram or electronic schematic, the basic symbols and
conventions must be understood.
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1 Electronic Diagrams, Prints, and Schematic
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Electronic Schematic Drawing Symbology
1.3 Examples of Electronic Schematic Diagrams
1.4 Reading Electronic Prints, Diagrams and Schematics
1.5 Block Drawing Symbology
1.6 Examples of Block Diagrams
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Introduction
Electronic prints fall into two basic categories, electronic schematics and block diagrams.
Electronic schematics represent the most detailed category of electronic drawings. They depict
every component in a circuit, the component's technical information (such as its ratings), and how
each component is wired into the circuit. Block diagrams are the simplest type of drawing. As the
name implies, block diagrams represent any part, component, or system as a simple geometric
shape, with each block capable of representing a single component (such as a relay) or an entire
system. The intended use of the drawing dictates the level of detail provided by each block. This
chapter will review the basic symbols and conventions used in both types of drawings.
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Electronic Schematic Drawing Symbology

Of all the different types of electronic drawings, electronic schematics provide the most detail and
information about a circuit. Each electronic component in a given circuit will be depicted and in most
cases its rating or other applicable component information will be provided. This type of drawing
provides the level of information needed to troubleshoot electronic circuits.
Electronic schematics are the most difficult type of drawing to read, because they require a very high
level of knowledge as to how each of the electronic components affects, or is affected by, an
electrical current. This chapter reviews only the symbols commonly used in depicting the many
components in electronic systems. Once mastered, this knowledge should enable the reader to
obtain a functional understanding of most electronic prints and schematics.
Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate the most common electronic symbols used on electronic schematics.
Figure 1 Electronic Symbols
 Figure 2 Electronic Symbols (Continued)
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Examples of Electronic Schematic Diagrams

Electronic schematics use symbols for each component found in an electrical circuit, no matter how
small. The schematics do not show placement or scale, merely function and flow. From this, the
actual workings of a piece of electronic equipment can be determined. Figure 3 is an example of an
electronic schematic diagram.
 Figure 3 Example of an Electronic Schematic Diagram
A second type of electronic schematic diagram, the pictorial layout diagram, is actually not so much
an electronic schematic as a pictorial of how the electronic circuit actually looks. These drawings
show the actual layout of the components on the circuit board. This provides a two-dimensional
drawing, usually looking down from the top, detailing the components in their location. Shown in
Figure 4 is the schematic for a circuit and the same circuit drawn in pictorial or layout format for
comparison. Normally the pictorial layout would be accompanied by a parts list.
 Figure 4 Comparison of an Electronic Schematic Diagram and its Pictorial Layout Diagram
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Reading Electronic Prints, Diagrams and Schematics

To properly read prints and schematics, the reader must identify the condition of the components
shown and also follow the events that occur as the circuit functions. As with electrical systems, the
relays and contacts shown are always in the de-energized condition. Modern electronic systems
usually contain few, if any, relays or contacts, so these will normally play a minor role.
Electronic schematics are more difficult to read than electrical schematics, especially when solid
state devices are used. Knowledge of the workings of these devices is necessary to determine
current flow. In this section, only the basics will be covered to assist in reading skills.
The first observation in dealing with a detailed electronic schematic is the source and polarity of
power. Generally, power will be shown one of two ways, either as an input transformer, or as a
numerical value. When power is supplied by a transformer, polarity marks will aid in determining
current flow. In this convention, dots on the primary and secondary indicate current flow into the
primary and out of the secondary at a given instant of time. In Figure 5, the current is into the top of
the primary and out of the bottom of the secondary.
 Figure 5 Transformer Polarity Markings
Generally, the electrical power source is indicated at the point where it enters a particular schematic.
These values are stated numerically with polarity assigned (+15 volts, -15 volts). These markings are
usually at the top and bottom of schematics, but not always. In the example shown in Figure 6,
power is shown at both the top and bottom in a circuit using two power sources. Unless specified as
an Alternating Current (AC) power source, the voltages can normally be assumed to be Direct
Current (DC).
 Figure 6 Schematic Showing Power Supply Connections
In any circuit, a ground must be established to create a complete current path. Ground is usually
depicted by the use of the ground symbol that was shown previously. The direction of current flow
can be determined by observing the polarity of the power supplies. When polarities are shown,
current flow can be established and ground may not always be shown.
With the power sources located and the ground point established, operation of the devices can be
determined.
The most common semiconductor devices are the transistor and the diode. They are made from
materials like silicone and germanium, and have electrical properties intermediate between
conductors and insulators. The semiconductor will be one of two varieties, the PNP or NPN.
The designation indicates the direction the electrons move through the device. The direction of the
arrow indicates type, as shown in Figure 2. There are, however, many different ways to install a
transistor to achieve different operational characteristics. These are too numerous to cover here, so
only the most common and basic configuration (the common emitter) will be shown.
Even though transistors contain multiple junctions of p- or n-type material, current flow is generally in
the same direction. Using conventional current flow (i.e. from + to -), current will travel through the
transistor from most positive to least positive and in the direction of the arrow on the emitter. In
Figure 7, the transistor has a positive power supply with ground on the emitter. If the input is also
positive, the transistor will conduct.

Figure 7 NPN Transistor-Conducting

If the input goes negative, as in Figure 8, the conduction of the device stops because the input, or in
this case the base junction, controls the transistor condition. Notice that when current flows, it does
so in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 8 NPN Transistor-Nonconducting

Figure 9 uses a PNP transistor. The same rules apply as above except that this time polarities of
power must change to allow current flow.
 Figure 9 NPN Transistor
The same rules that apply to transistors hold true with diodes. However, diodes are simpler than
transistors because they have only one junction and conduct in only one direction, as indicated in
Figure 10. The diode symbol, like the transistor symbol, shows the direction of conduction by the
direction of the arrow, which is from positive to negative.

Figure 10 Diode
Although these simple rules will not allow you to read all electronic schematics, they will aid in
understanding some of the basic concepts.
An item that may cause confusion when reading electronic prints or schematics is the markings used
to show bistable operation. In most cases, bistables will be indicated by a box or circle, as shown in
Figure 11 (A). The lines in or around these bistables not only mark them as bistables, but also
indicate how they function.
 Figure 11 Bistable Symbols
Figure 11 (B) shows the various conventions used to indicate bistable operation. Commonly, one
circuit will interface with other circuits, which requires a method that allows the reader to follow one
wire or signal path from the first drawing to the second. This may be done in many ways, but
generally the line or conductor to be continued will end at a terminal board. This board will be
labeled and numbered with the continuation drawing indicated (a separate drawing may exist for
each line). With the next drawing in hand, only the terminal board that matches the previous number
needs to be found to continue. In cases where terminal boards are not used, the conductor should
end with a number (usually a single digit) and also the next drawing number. To assist in locating the
continuation, coordinates are provided on some drawings that indicate the location of the
continuation on the second drawing. The continuation point on the second drawing will also
reference back to the first drawing and the coordinates of the continuation.
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Block Drawing Symbology

Not all electronics prints are drawn to the level of detail depicting the individual resistors and
capacitors, nor is this level of information always necessary. These simpler drawings are called
block diagrams. Block diagrams provide a means of representing any type of electronic circuit or
system in a simple graphic format. Block diagrams are designed to present flow or functional
information about the circuit or system, not detailed component data. The symbols shown in Figure
12 are used in block diagrams.
 Figure 12 Example Blocks
When block diagrams are used, the basic blocks shown above (Figure 12) can be used for almost
anything. Whatever the block represents will be written inside. Note that block diagrams are
presented in this chapter with electronic schematics because block diagrams are commonly found
with complex schematic diagrams to help present or summarize their flow or functional information.
The use of block diagrams is not restricted to electronic circuits. Block diagrams are used
extensively to show complex instrument channels and other complex systems when only the
flowpath of the signal is important.
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Examples of Block Diagrams

The block diagram is the most basic and easiest to understand of all the types of engineering prints.
It consists of simple blocks that can represent as much, or as little, as desired. An example of a
block diagram is shown in Figure 13.
This particular block diagram represents an instrumentation channel used to measure the neutron
flux, indicate the measured flux, and generate output signals for use by other systems.
 Figure 13 Example Block Diagram
Each block represents a stage in the development of a signal that is used to display on the meter at
the bottom or to send to systems outside the bounds of the drawing. Notice that not all blocks are
equal. Some represent multiple functions, while others represent only a simple stage or single
bistable circuit in a larger component. The creator of the block diagram decides the content of each
block based on the intended use of the drawing.
Each of the type of drawing reviewed in this and previous modules is not always distinct and
separate. In many cases, two or more types of drawings will be combined into a single print. This
allows the necessary information to be presented in a clear and concise format.
Figure 14 provides a sample illustration of how the various types of drawings can be combined. In
this example, mechanical symbols are used to represent the process system and the valves
controlled by the electrical circuit; electrical single line symbols are used to show the solenoid relays
and contacts used in the system; and electronic block symbols are used for the controllers,
summers, I/P converter, and bistables.
 Figure 14 Example of a Combined Drawing, P & ID, Electrical Single Line, and Electronic
Block Diagram
Figure 15 illustrates the use of an electronic block diagram combined with an electrical single line
diagram. This drawing represents a portion of the generator protection circuitry of a power
generating plant.
Figure 15 Example Combination Diagram of Electrical Single Line, and Block Diagram