COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN

TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND CIRCUIT 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.

Wire Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

Wire Used to connect one component to another.

Wire Circuit Symbol

One device may be connected to another through wires.

This is represented by drawing “blobs” on the point
Wires Joined where they are shorted.

Wires Joined Circuit Symbol

When circuits are drawn some wires may not touch

others. This can only be shown by bridging them or by
Unjoined drawing them without blobs. But bridging is commonly
Wires practiced as there will not arise any confusion.
Wires Not Joined Circuit
Symbol

1
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Power Supply Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

Cell Used to provide a supply for a circuit.

Cell Circuit Symbol

A battery has more than a cell and is used for the

same purpose. The smaller terminal is negative and
Battery the larger one is positive. Abbreviated as ‘B’.
Battery Circuit Symbol

Used as a DC power supply, that is, the current will

DC Supply
always flow in one direction.
DC Supply Circuit Symbol

Used as AC power supply, that is, the current will

AC Supply
keep alternating directions.
AC Supply Circuit Symbol

2
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Used in circuits where a probability of excessive

current flows. The fuse will break the circuit if
Fuse
excessive current flows and saves the other devices
Fuse Circuit Symbol from damage.

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
Transformer connection between the two coils. The principle of
mutual inductance is used to obtain power.
Abbreviated as ‘T’.
Transformer Circuit Symbol

Used in electronic circuits to represent the 0 volts of

the power supply. It can also be defined as the real
Earth/Ground earth , when it is applied in radio circuits and power
circuits.
Earth Circuit Symbol

Resistor Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

3
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

A resistor is used to restrict the amount of current

Resistor
flow through a device. Abbreviated as ‘R’.
Resistor Circuit Symbol

A rheostat is used to control the current flow with

Rheostat two contacts. Applicable in controlling lamp
Rheostat Circuit Symbol brightness, capacitor charge rate, etc.

A potentiometer is used to control the voltage

flow and has three contacts. Have applications in
Potentiometer
changing a mechanical angle change to an
Potentiometer Circuit Symbol electrical parameter. Abbreviated as ‘POT’.

Presets are low cost variable resistors that are

used to control the charge flow with the help of a
Preset
screw driver. Applications where the resistance is
Preset Circuit Symbol determined only at the end of the circuit design.

Capacitor Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

Capacitor is a device that is used to store electrical

Capacitor energy. It consists of two metals plates that are
Capacitor Circuit Symbol separated by a dielectric. It is applicable as a filter,

4
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

that is, to block DC signals and allow AC signals.

Abbreviated with the letter ‘C’.

Capacitor – Capacitor can be used in a timer circuit by adding a

Polarized Capacitor-Polarised Circuit resistor.
Symbol

Used to vary the capacitance by turning the knob. A

Variable type of variable capacitor is the trimmer capacitor
Capacitor that is small in size. The notations are all the same.
Variable Capacitor Circuit Symbol

Diode Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

A diode is used to allow electric current to flow

Diode in only one direction. Abbreviated as ‘D’.

Diode Circuit Symbol

LED is used to emit light when a current is

Light Emitting
passed through the device. It is abbreviated as
Diode (LED)
LED.

5
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

LED Circuit Symbol

After a breakdown voltage, the device allows

current to flow in the reverse direction as well.
Zener Diode It is abbreviated as ‘Z’.
Zener Diode Circuit Symbol

Photodiode works as a photo-detector and

Photo Diode converts light into its corresponding voltage or
current.
Photo Diode Circuit Symbol

Tunnel Diode is known for its high-speed

Tunnel Diode operation due to its application in quantum
mechanical effects.
Tunnel Diode Circuit Symbol

The Schottky Diode is known for its large

Schottky Diode forward voltage drop and hence has great
applications in switching circuits.
Schottky Diode Circuit Symbol

Transistor Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

6
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

This is a transistor with a layer of P-doped

semiconductor fixed between two layers of N-
NPN Transistor doped semiconductors that act as the emitter
and collector. Abbreviated as ‘Q’.

Transistor NPN Circuit Symbol

This is a transistor with a layer of N-doped

semiconductor fixed between two layers of P-
PNP Transistor doped semiconductors that act as the emitter
and collector. Abbreviated as ‘Q’.

Transistor PNP Circuit Symbol

The working of a phototransistoris similar to

that of a bipolar transistor with a difference that
Phototransistor it converts light into its corresponding current.
The phototransistor can also act as a photodiode
if the emitter is not connected.
Phototransistor Circuit Symbol

Like a transistor, a FET has three terminals, the

Gate, Source and Drain. The device has an
Field Effect
electric field that controls the conductivity of a
Transistor
Field channel of one type charge carrier in a
Effect Transistor Circuit Symbol semiconductor substance.

7
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

The Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) is

the simplest type of FET with applications in
Switching and voltage variable resistor. In an N-
N-Channel
channel JFET an N-type silicon bar has two
Junction FET n-
smaller pieces of P-type silicon material diffused
channel Junction Field Effect
on each sides of its middle part, forming P-N
Transistor (JFET) Circuit Symbol
junctions.

P-channel JFET is similar in construction to N-

channel JFET except that P-type semiconductor
P-Channel base is sandwiched between two N-type
Junction FET p- junctions. In this case majority carriers are
channel Junction Field Effect holes.
Transistor (FET) Circuit Symbol

Abbreviated as MOSFET. MOSFET is a three

Metal Oxide
terminal device and is controlled by a gate bias.
Semiconductor Given Below
It is known for its low capacitance and low input
FET
impedance.

The enhancement MOSFET structure has no

channel formed during its construction. Voltage
is applied to the gate, so as to develop a channel
Enhancement of charge carriers so that a current results when
MOSFET a voltage is applied across the drain-source
terminals. Abbreviated as e-MOSFET.
e-
MOSFET Circuit Symbol

8
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

In the depletion-mode construction a channel is

physically constructed and a current between
Depletion drain and source is due to voltage applied across
MOSFET the drain-source terminals. Abbreviated as d-
MOSFET.
d-
MOSFET Circuit Symbol

Logic Gate Symbols

Gate Standard Symbol IEC Symbol Description

If all the inputs of an AND

gate are HIGH, then the
AND output will also be HIGH. If
Gate any one of them is LOW, the
output will also be LOW.
AND GATE Symbol AND Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for NOT AND

Gate. Of all the inputs are
HIGH, the output will be
NAND LOW. If any one input is
Gate LOW, the output will be
HIGH.
NAND Gate Symbol NAND Gate IEC Symbol

9
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

If any one of the input is

HIGH, the output will also
OR be HIGH. If both inputs are
Gate LOW, the output will also be
LOW.
OR Gate Symbol OR Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for NOT OR. If

both inputs are LOW, the
NOR output will also be LOW.
Gate For other cases, the output
will be HIGH.
NOR Gate Symbol NOR Gate IEC Symbol

Short form for Exclusive

NOR. If both inputs are
either in LOW state r HIGH
EX-OR state, the output will be
Gate LOW. If both inputs are
different, the output will be
EX-OR Gate Symbol EX-OR Gate IEC Symbol HIGH.

Short form for Exclusive

NOT OR. If both the inputs
EX- are the same, the output
NOR will be HIGH. If both are
Gate different, the output will
also be different.
EX-NOR Gate Symbol EX-NOR Gate IEC Symbol

10
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Also known as the inverter

Gate. There is only one
input for this gate. If the
NOT input is HIGH, the output
Gate will be LOW. If the input is
LOW, the output will be
NOT Gate Symbol NOT Gate Symbol HIGH.

Meters

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

Voltmeter is used to measure the voltage at

Voltmeter
a certain point in the circuit.
Voltmeter Circuit Symbol

An Ammeter is used to measure the current

that passes through the circuit at a particular
Ammeter point.

Ammeter Circuit Symbol

11
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

A galvanometer is used to measure very

Galvanometer small currents in the order of 1 milli ampere
or less.
Galvanometer Circuit Symbol

Resistance of the circuit is measured using an

Ohmmeter
Ohmmeter.
Ohmmeter Circuit Symbol

An oscilloscope is used to measure the voltage

and time period of signals along with their
Oscilloscope shape display.

Oscilloscope Circuit Symbol

Sensor Symbols
Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

It is abbreviated as LDR. Light Dependent

Light Resistor is used to convert light into its
Dependent corresponding resistance. Instead of directly
Resistor (LDR) measuring the light, it senses the heat content and
LDR Circuit Symbol converts it onto resistance.

12
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Instead of directly measuring the light, a

thermistor senses the heat content and converts it
Thermistor into resistance. Abbreviated as ‘TH’.
Thermistor Circuit Symbol

Switch Symbols
Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

This is an ordinary switch that passes current only

Push Switch
upon pressing.
Push Switch Circuit Symbol

The push to break switch is usually kept in the ON

Push to Break state (closed). It turns to OFF state (open) only
Switch when the switch is pressed.
Push to Break Switch Circuit
Symbol

Also known as the ON/OFF switch. This switch

Singe Pole allows the flow of current only when it is kept ON.
Single Throw Abbreviated as SPST.
Switch On Off Switch (SPST) Circuit
Symbol

13
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Also known as the 2-way switch. It can be also called

as an ON/OFF/ON switch as it has an OFF position
Single Pole in the center. The switch causes the flow of current
Double Throw in two directions, depending on its position. It can
Switch 2-Way Switch (SPDT) Circuit be abbreviated as SPDT.
Symbol

Abbreviated as DPST. Can also be called as a dual

Double Pole ON-OFF switch. This is used to isolate between the
Single Throw live and neutral connections in the main electrical
Switch line.
Dual On-Off Switch (DPST)
Circuit Symbol

Abbreviated as DPDT. The switch uses a central OFF

Double Pole position and is applied as reversing switch for
Double Throw motors.
Switch
DPDT Circuit Symbol

Relay is abbreviated as ‘RY’. This device can easily

switch a 230 Volt AC mains circuit. It has three
Relay
switching stages called Normally Open (NO).
Normally Closed (NC), and Common (COM).
Relay Circuit Symbol

14
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Audio and Radio Device Symbols

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

This device is used for converting sound to its

corresponding electrical energy. Abbreviated
Microphone as ‘MIC’.
Microphone Circuit Symbol

Does the reverse process of microphone and

Earphone
converts electrical energy into sound.
Earphone Circuit Symbol

Does the same operation as an earphone, but

converts an amplified version of the electrical
Loudspeaker energy into its corresponding sound.
Loudspeaker Circuit Symbol

Piezo- It is a transducer that converts electrical

Transducer energy into sound.
PiezoTransducer Circuit Symbol

15
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

Used to amplify a signal. It is mainly used to

represent a whole circuit rather than just one
Amplifier component.
Amplifier Circuit Symbol

This device is used to transmit/receive signals.

Aerial
Aerial Abbreviated as ‘AE’.
Circuit Symbol

Output Devices

Electronic
Circuit Symbol Description
Component

Lighting Lamp This is used to provide light for the output.

Lamp Circuit Symbol

Indicator Used to convert electrical energy into light. The best

Lamp example is the warning light on a car dashboard.
Lamp Indiator Circuit Symbol

16
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DRAFTING AND DESIGN
TOPIC 2: ELECTRONIC AND LOGIC COMPONENTS

This transducer is used to change electrical energy

Heater
into heat.
Heater Circuit Symbol

Inductor is used to produce a magnetic field when a

certain current is passed through a coil of wire. The
Inductor wire is coiled on a soft iron core. Have applications
in motors, and tank circuits. Abbreviated as ‘L’.
Inductor Circuit Symbol

This device is used to convert electrical energy into

mechanical energy. Can be used as a generator as
Motor well. Abbreviated as ‘M’.
Motor Circuit Symbol

Used to produce a sound as the output, according to

Bell the electrical energy produced as the input.

Bell Circuit Symbol

It is used to produce an output sound corresponding

Buzzer to the electrical energy in the input.

Buzzer Circuit Symbol

17