Power Supply Schematic Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Single Cell A single DC battery cell of 0.5V

A collection of single cells forming a DC battery

DC Battery Supply
supply

DC Voltage Source A constant DC voltage supply of a fixed value

DC Current Source A constant DC current supply of a fixed value

A dependent voltage source controlled by an external

Controlled Voltage Source
voltage or current

A dependent current source controlled by an external

Controlled Current Source
voltage or current

AC Voltage Source A sinusoidal voltage source or generator

Electrical Grounding Schematic Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Earth ground referencing a common zero potential

Earth Ground
point

Chassis ground connected to the power supplies

Chassis Ground
earthing pin

Digital Ground A common digital logic circuit ground line

Resistor Schematic Symbols

 Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Fixed Resistor (IEEE Design)

A fixed value resistor whose resistive value is
indicated next to its schematic symbol
Fixed Resistor (IEC Design)

Potentiometer (IEEE Design)

Three terminal variable resistance whose resistive
value is adjustable from zero to its maximum value
Potentiometer (IEC Design)

Rheostat (IEEE Design)

Two terminal fully adjustable rheostat whose
resistive value varies from zero to a maximum value
Rheostat (IEC Design)

Trimmer Resistor Small variable resistors for mounting onto pcb’s

Thermistor (IEEE Design)

Thermal resistor whose resistive value changes with
changes in surrounding temperature
Thermistor (IEC Design)

Capacitor Schematic Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Fixed Value Capacitor

A fixed value parallel plate non-polarised AC
capacitor whose capacitive value is indicated next to
its schematic symbol
Fixed Value Capacitor

A fixed value polarised DC capacitor usually an

Polarized Capacitor electrolytic capacitor which must be connected to the
supply as indicated
 An adjustable capacitor whose capacitance value can
Variable Capacitor
be varied by means of adjustable plates

Inductor and Coil Schematic Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

An open inductor, coil or solenoid that generates a

Open Inductor
magnetic field around itself when energised

An inductor formed by winding the coil around a

Iron Core Inductor
solid laminated iron core indicated by solid lines

An inductor formed by winding the coil around a

Ferrite Core Inductor
non-solid ferrite core indicated by dashed lines

Switch and Contact Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Single-pole single-throw toggle switch used for

SPST Toggle Switch
making (ON) or breaking (OFF) a circuits current

Single-pole double-throw changeover switch used for

SPDT Changeover Switch changing the direction of current flow from one
terminal to another

Normally open contacts pushbutton switch – push to

Pushbutton Switch (N.O)
close, release to open

Normally closed contacts pushbutton switch – push

Pushbutton Switch (N.C)
to open, release to close

Electromechanical relay with internal single-pole

SPST Relay Contacts
single-throw toggle contacts

Electromechanical relay with internal single-pole

SPDT Relay Contacts
double-throw changeover contacts

Electromechanical relay with internal double-pole

DPST Relay Contacts
single-throw toggle contacts
 Electromechanical relay with internal double-pole
DPDT Relay Contacts
double-throw changeover contacts

PCB mounted DIP switch with 1-to-10 toggle

DIP Switch Assembly switches either single-pole, double-pole, rotary or
with a common terminal

Semiconductor Diode Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Semiconductor pn-junction diode used for

Semiconductor Diode
rectification and high current applications

Zener diode used in its reverse voltage breakdown

Zener Diode region for voltage limiting and regulation
applications

Schottky diode consisting of an n-type

Schottky Diode semiconductor and metal electrode junction for low
voltage applications

Transistor Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Characterised as being a lightly doped p-type base

region between two n-type emitter and collector
NPN Bipolar Transistor
regions with the arrow indicating direction of
conventional current flow out.

Characterised as being a lightly doped n-type base

region between two p-type emitter and collector
PNP Bipolar Transistor
regions. Arrow indicates direction of conventional
current flow in.

Two bipolar transistor npn or pnp connected in a

Darlington Pair Transistor series common collector configuration to increase
current gain

N-channel junction field effect transistor having an n-

type semiconductive channel between source and
N-JFET Transistor
drain with the arrow indicating direction of
conventional current flow
 P-channel junction field effect transistor having a p-
type semiconductive channel between source and
P-JFET Transistor
drain with the arrow indicating direction of
conventional current flow

N-channel metal-oxide semiconductor field effect

N-MOSFET Transistor transistor with an insulated gate terminal which can
be operated in depletion or enhancement mode

P-channel metal-oxide semiconductor field effect

P-MOSFET Transistor transistor with an insulated gate terminal which can
be operated in depletion or enhancement mode

Photodevice Schematic Symbols

Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

A semiconductor diode which emits coloured light

Light Emitting Diode (LED)
from its junction when forward biased

A 7-segment display used common cathode (CC) or

7-segment Display common anode (CA) for displaying single numbers
and letters

A semiconductor device which allows current to flow

Photodiode
when exposed to incident light energy

P–N junction photovoltaic cell transducer which

Solar Cell
converts light intentsity directly into electrical energy

Light dependent resistor (LDR) which changes its

Photoresistor
resistive value with changes in light intensity

A filament lamp, indicator or other which emits

Indicator Lamp or Light Bulb
visible light when a current flows through it

An Opto-isolator or Optocoupler which uses photo-

Opto-isolator or Optocoupler sensitive devices to isolate its input and output
connections

Digital Logic Symbols

 Schematic
Symbol Identification Description of Symbol
Symbol

Logic gate with only one input and one output and
NOT Gate outputs a logic 1 (HIGH) when input is 0 (LOW)
and outputs a 0 when input is 1 (Inverter)

Logic gate with two or more inputs which outputs a

AND Gate logic 1 (HIGH) when ALL of its inputs are at logic
1 (HIGH)

Logic gate with two or more inputs that outputs a

NAND Gate logic 0 (LOW) when ALL of its inputs are HIGH at
logic 1 (Equivalent to NOT + AND)

Logic gate with two or more inputs which outputs a

OR Gate logic 1 (HIGH) when ANY (or both) of its inputs
are at logic 1 (HIGH)

Logic gate with two or more inputs that outputs a

NOR Gate logic 0 (LOW) when ANY (or both) of its inputs
are HIGH at logic 1 (Equivalent to NOT + OR)

Exclusive-OR gate with two inputs that outputs a

XOR Gate logic 1 (HIGH) whenever its two inputs are
DIFFERENT

Exclusive-NOR gate with two inputs that outputs a

XNOR Gate logic 1 (HIGH) whenever its two inputs are the
SAME (NOT + XOR)

Set-Reset Flip-flop is a bistable device used to store

SR Flip-Flop
one bit of data on its two complementary outputs

JK (Jack Kilby) Flip-flop has the letter J for Set and

JK Flip-Flop
the letter K for Reset (Clear) with internal feedback

D (Delay or Data) Flip-flop is a single input flip-

D-type Flip-Flop flop which toggles between its two complementary
outputs

Data latch stores one data bit on its single input

Data Latch when EN enable pin is LOW and outputs the data
bit transparently when the EN enable pin is HIGH

A Multiplexer passes the data on one of its inputs

4-to-1 Multiplexer
pins to a single output line

A Demultiplexer passes the data on its single input

1-to-4 Demultiplexer
pin to one of several output lines

Here we have seen a number of basic electrical and electronics schematic symbols in graphical form used by engineers to
show how a particular circuit is connected together and operates by the types of symbols used within it so that other
engineers may understand.