Electrical Diagram Symbols

These symbols are the ones used most often on electrical ladder diagrams. They are standard JIC (Joint Industry Council) symbols as approved and adopted by the NMTBA (National Machine Tool Builders Association). They have been extracted from NMTBA specication EGP1-1967.

Limit Switches
Limit Switch, N.O. Non-Actuated

Selector Switches
1 2

Proximity Switches

Temperature Switches

Resistors

Potentiometer
Limit Switch, N.O. Held Closed Limit Switch, N.C. Non-Actuated
Proximity Switch Normally Open Selector Switch 2-Position 1 2 3 Proximity Switch Normally Closed Temperature Switch Normally Open

Resistor

Temperature Switch Normally Closed

Rheostat

Limit Switch, N.C. Held Open

Relay Coils and Contacts

Pressure or Vacuum Switches

Limit Switch Neutral Position Non-Actuated
Selector Switch 3-Position Pressure or Vacuum Switch, N.O.

Tapped Resistor

H
Relay or Timer Coil Heating Element

Capacitors
Relay Contact Normally Open
Capacitor, Fixed

Limit Switch Neutral Position Actuated

Foot Switches
Pressure or Vacuum Switch, N.C.

Relay Contact Normally Closed

Capacitor, Adjustable

Foot Switch Normally Open

Pushbuttons
Pushbutton, N.O.

+
Relay Contact, Time Delay After Coil Energized N.O.

Limit Switch Maintained Position

Foot Switch Normally Closed

Capacitor, Electrolytic

Toggle Switches
Toggle Switch

Flow Switches

Load Devices
Pushbutton, N.C.

Relay Contact, Time Delay After Coil Energized N.C. Load Device Solenoid Valve, etc.

Rotary Selector Switches

Flow Switch Normally Open Pushbutton Double Circuit Flow Switch Normally Closed

Rotary Selector Switch Non-Bridging Contacts

Relay Contact, Time Delay After Coil De-energized N.O. Three-Phase Electric Motor

Alternate Symbol Rotary Selector Switch Non-Bridging Contacts

Liquid Level Switches

Pushbutton Mushroom Head

Relay Contact, Time Delay After Coil De-energized N.C.

A
Meters
DC Electric Motor

Rotary Selector Switch Bridging Contacts

Liquid Level Switch Normally Open

Pushbutton Maintained Contact

VM
Voltmeter

Disconnect Switch

Thermal Overload

Alternate Symbol Rotary Selector Switch Bridging Contacts

AM
Liquid Level Switch Normally Closed Disconnect Switch

Ammeter

Alternate Symbol Thermal Overload

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Miscellaneous
Thermocouple
Diode (Crystal Rectifier) AC
Horn, Siren, etc.

X1

H1 H2 H3

Conductors Not Connected

X2

H4

+
Circuit Interrupter

AC

Buzzer

Control Transformer

Conductors Connected

Bridge Rectifier
Earth Ground

10
11 12 13

+
Battery

Bell

Chassis Ground

Circuit Breaker

R
Pilot Light
Plug & Receptacle
Terminal Board

Fuse

These are intended for use on diagrams in connection with the corresponding symbol to amplify the information on the function of a device. Suitable sufx numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) may be added to distinguish between several similar devices. Similar letters (A, B, C, D, etc) may be added to distinguish between several sets of contacts on the same device. Examples: CR1A, CR1B, CR3A, etc. AM - Ammeter FU - Fuse RH - Rheostat CAP - Capacitor GRD - Ground RSS - Rotary selector switch CB - Circuit breaker LS - Limit switch S - Switch CI -Circuit interrupter LT -Pilot light SOC - Socket CON - Contactor M - Motor starter SOL - Solenoid CR - Control relay MTR - Motor SS - Selector switch CS - Cam switch PB - Pushbutton T - Transformer CTR - Counter POT - Potentiometer TAS - Temperature activated switch F - Forward PRS - Proximity switch TB - Terminal block FB - Fuse block PS - Pressure switch T/C - Thermocouple FLS - Flow switch R - Reverse TGS - Toggle switch FS - Float switch REC - Rectier TR - Time delay relay FTS - Foot switch RECEP - Receptacle VM - Voltmeter HTR - Heating element RES - Resistor VS - Vacuum switch To Find Kilowatts, single phase: I E PF 1000 Kilowatts, three-phase: I E 1.73 x PF 1000 Kilowatts direct current: I E 1000 KVA (kilovolt amperes), single phase: I E 1000 KVA, three phase: I E 1.73 1000 HP output, single phase: I E %Eff PF 746 HP output, three phase: I E 1.73 %Eff PF 746 HP output, direct current: I E %Eff 746 Amps when HP known, single phase: [HP 746] [E %Eff PF] Amps when HP known, three phase: [HP 746] [1.73 E %Eff PF] Amps when HP is known, direct current: [HP 746] [E %Eff] Amps when kW known, single phase: [kW 1000] [E PF] Amps when kW known, three phase: [kW 1000] [1.73 E PF] Amps when kW is known, direct current: [kW 1000] E Amps when KVA is known, single phase: [KVA 1000] E Amps when KVA is known, three phase: [KVA 1000] [1.73 E] Where E = volts, I = amperes,%Eff =%efciency, PF = power factor. I = E R or E = I R or R = E I, Where I = Amps, E = Volts, R = Ohms

Device Designations

Electrical Formulas

OHMs Law

Power Equations
E = P I2 E2 = P R

P=EI P = I2 R P = E2 R

I=PE I2 = P R

R = P I2 R = E2 P

Where:P = Watts E = Volts I = Amps R = Ohms

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