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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
Wire
Description
Used to connect one component to another.
Wire Circuit Symbol
Wires Joined
One device may be connected to another
through wires. This is represented by drawing
“blobs” on the point where they are shorted.
Wires Joined Circuit Symbol
Unjoined
Wires
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.
Wires Not Joined Circuit
Symbol

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Power Supplies
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Description
Cell
Used to provide a supply for a circuit.
Cell Circuit Symbol
Battery
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’.
Battery Circuit Symbol
DC Supply
Used as a DC power supply, that is, the current
will always flow in one direction.
DC Supply Circuit Symbol
AC Supply
Used as AC power supply, that is, the current
will keep alternating directions.
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
Transformer Circuit Symbol
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
power. Abbreviated as ‘T’.

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Earth/Ground
Earth Circuit Symbol
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.
Resistor
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Resistor
Description
A resistor is used to restrict the amount of
current flow through a device. Abbreviated as
‘R’.
Resistor Circuit Symbol
Rheostat
A rheostat is used to control the current flow
with two contacts. Applicable in controlling
lamp brightness, capacitor charge rate, etc.
Rheostat Circuit Symbol
Potentiometer
Potentiometer Circuit Symbol
Preset
Preset Circuit Symbol
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
Circuit Symbol
Description
Capacitor Circuit Symbol
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 a filter, that is, to block DC
signals and allow AC signals. Abbreviated with
Capacitor

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the letter ‘C’.
Capacitor Polarized
Capacitor can be used in a timer circuit by
adding a resistor.
Capacitor-Polarised Circuit
Symbol
Variable
Capacitor
Variable Capacitor Circuit
Symbol
Used to vary the capacitance by turning the
knob. A type of variable capacitor is the
trimmer capacitor that is small in size. The
notations are all the same.
Diode
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Diode
Description
A diode is used to allow electric current to
flow in only one direction. Abbreviated as
‘D’.
Diode Circuit Symbol
Light Emitting
Diode (LED)
LED is used to emit light when a current is
passed through the device. It is abbreviated
as LED.
LED Circuit Symbol
Zener Diode
After a breakdown voltage, the device allows
current to flow in the reverse direction as
well. It is abbreviated as ‘Z’.
Zener Diode Circuit Symbol
Photo Diode
Photodiode works as a photo-detector and
converts light into its corresponding voltage
or current.
Photo Diode Circuit Symbol

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Tunnel Diode
Tunnel Diode is known for its high-speed
operation due to its application in quantum
mechanical effects.
Tunnel Diode Circuit Symbol
Schottky Diode
The Schottky Diode is known for its large
forward voltage drop and hence has great
applications in switching circuits.
Schottky Diode Circuit
Symbol
Transistor
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Description
NPN
Transistor
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’.
Transistor NPN Circuit Symbol
PNP Transistor
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’.
Transistor PNP Circuit Symbol
Phototransistor
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.

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Field Effect
Transistor
Field Effect Transistor Circuit
Symbol
N-Channel
Junction FET
n-channel Junction Field Effect
Transistor (JFET) Circuit
Symbol
P-Channel
Junction FET
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.
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.
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.
p-channel Junction Field Effect
Transistor (FET) Circuit Symbol
Metal Oxide
Semiconductor
FET
Given Below
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.
Depletion
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.

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d-MOSFET Circuit Symbol
Logic Gates
Gate
Standard Symbol
IEC Symbol
Description
AND
Gate
AND GATE Symbol
AND Gate IEC Symbol
NAND
Gate
NAND Gate Symbol
NAND 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.
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.
OR
Gate
OR Gate Symbol
OR Gate IEC Symbol
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.
NOR
Gate
NOR Gate Symbol
NOR 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.

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EXOR
Gate
EX-OR Gate Symbol
EX-OR Gate IEC Symbol
EXNOR
Gate
EX-NOR Gate Symbol
EX-NOR 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 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
Voltmeter is used to measure the voltage at a
certain point in the circuit.
Voltmeter Circuit Symbol

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Ammeter
An Ammeter is used to measure the current
that passes through the circuit at a particular
point.
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
Ohmmeter
Resistance of the circuit is measured using an
Ohmmeter.
Ohmmeter Circuit Symbol
Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is used to measure the
voltage and time period of signals along with
their shape display.
Oscilloscope Circuit Symbol
Sensors
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Light
Dependent
Resistor (LDR)
Description
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.
LDR Circuit Symbol
Thermistor
Instead of directly measuring the light, a
thermistor senses the heat content and converts
it into resistance. Abbreviated as ‘TH’.

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Thermistor Circuit Symbol
Switches
Electronic
Component
Circuit Symbol
Description
Push Switch
This is an ordinary switch that passes current
only upon pressing.
Push Switch Circuit Symbol
Push to Break
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
Singe Pole
Single Throw
Switch
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
Single Pole
Double Throw
Switch
2-Way Switch (SPDT) Circuit
Symbol
Double Pole
Single Throw
Switch
Also known as the 2-way switch. It can be
also called as an ON/OFF/ON switch as it
has an OFF position in the center. The switch
causes the flow of current in two directions,
depending on its position. It can be
abbreviated as SPDT.
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 electrical line.
Dual On-Off Switch (DPST)
Circuit Symbol

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Double Pole
Double Throw
Switch
Abbreviated as DPDT. The switch uses a
central OFF position and is applied as
reversing switch for motors.
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
Microphone
Description
This device is used for converting sound to its
corresponding electrical energy. Abbreviated
as ‘MIC’.
Microphone Circuit Symbol
Earphone
Does the reverse process of microphone and
converts electrical energy into sound.
Earphone Circuit Symbol
Loudspeaker
Does the same operation as an earphone, but
converts an amplified version of the electrical
energy into its corresponding sound.
Loudspeaker Circuit Symbol
PiezoTransducer
It is a transducer that converts electrical
energy into sound.

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PiezoTransducer Circuit
Symbol
Amplifier
Used to amplify a signal. It is mainly used to
represent a whole circuit rather than just one
component.
Amplifier Circuit Symbol
Aerial
This device is used to transmit/receive signals.
Abbreviated as ‘AE’.
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 Circuit Symbol
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 applications in motors, and tank circuits.
Abbreviated as ‘L’.

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Motor
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
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