Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

Electrical Symbols
 Introduction

The following crane schematic symbol study guide has been

developed to equip a novice technician with navigational skills
necessary to use system schematics. The content of this guide is
intended to increase a technicians general knowledge level of
Grove electrical schematics. Schematic symbols emphasize the
function and describe the operation of the components and their
respective circuits, an overall system schematic will show the
entire machine’s circuitry on one or in some cases multiple pages.
A technician equipped with the ability to read schematics has the
advantage of viewing the cranes complete electrical system. When
presented with a machines fault, they can systematically eliminate
possible causes, thus arriving at a solution much quicker. It is
beneficial to a technician to have the fundamental understanding of
schematic symbols in order to become an effective troubleshooter.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

1 Electrical Symbols
 Electrical Lines

Direct Flow Line: Input line or

Output line depending on the direction
of flow.

Connecting Line: Branch lines

connected to main line.

Lines Crossing: A line crossing over

another line, but not connected.

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2 Electrical Symbols
 Battery (Power Supply)

The electrical power supply on Grove

products is provided by battery. Depending
on the product type, 12 volt DC and 24 volt
DC electrical systems are used.

Example – RT700E Supply

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 Battery Disconnect

The battery disconnect is used to break the

battery supply to the system. Normally
the ground side is battery side
disconnected.

Example – RT700E Example – RT500C

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4 Electrical Symbols
 Grounds

The ground symbol is used to show

the common return path in an
electrical circuit.

Example – Hydraulic Boost Solenoid

Note: is a wire ground

is a frame ground

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5 Electrical Symbols
 Connector Plugs

This symbol represents a connection

point and will normally show the pin
number and in some cases a connector
number.

Example – Fuel Solenoid

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 Connection Points

Terminal Strip: Able to handle multiple

circuits, terminal strips are used as a
connection point. Normally hard wired,
these strips allow easy access for
troubleshooting and testing.

Slip Ring: This symbol represents

the connection point within the slip
ring assembly. The symbol shows the
connection point number and brush
amperage.

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7 Electrical Symbols
 Enclosures

An Enclosure or Chain Line is used to

show a component that has two or
more functions contained within one
component.

Example – RT500C Fuse Block

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 Circuit Protection

Fuse: A type of over-current protection

device, it has as it’s critical component a
metal wire or stripe that will melt when
heated beyond it’s rated limit which
opens the circuit to protect.

In-Line Fuse: A Fuse that is wired

directly in a circuit.

Circuit Breaker: An overload device

designed to protect an electrical circuit,
unlike a fuse which operates once and
then has to be replaced, a circuit
breaker can be reset.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

9 Electrical Symbols
 Diodes

A component that restricts the direction of

current movement, it allows an electrical
current to flow in one direction but blocks it
in the opposite direction. A diode can be
thought of as an electrical version of a
check valve.

The positive terminal is the anode. The negative terminal is the cathode.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

10 Electrical Symbols
 Light Emitting Diodes

Light Emitting Diodes are a electronic

light source. Also known a LED’s,
these light sources are used as
primarily as indicator lamps.

Example – RT700E Headlight Indicator

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 Zener Diodes

A Zener diode is a type of diode that permits

current not only in the forward direction like a
normal diode, but also in the reverse direction if
the voltage is larger than the breakdown voltage
known as "Zener Voltage".
A standard diode will not allow significant current
if it is reverse-biased below its reverse
breakdown voltage. When the breakdown voltage
is exceeded, a standard diode is subject to high
current. Unless this current is limited by external
circuitry, the diode will be permanently damaged.
A Zener diode exhibits almost the same
properties, except the device is specially
designed so as to have a greatly reduced
breakdown voltage, the so-called Zener voltage.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

12 Electrical Symbols
 Switches

Momentary Switch: A switch that

must be manually held in the on position
to complete the circuit.

Momentary Rocker Switch: A two

position switch that must be manually
held in position to complete the circuit.

Single Pole Rocker Switch: A rocker

switch that normally has two positions,
On or Off.

Double Pole Rocker Switch: A

rocker switch that normally has two
positions with a neutral position.

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13 Electrical Symbols
 Switches

Temperature Switch: Controlled by a set

temperature. Normally used to turn on a
indicator light or a cooling fan.

Flow Switch: Used to monitor and

display the flow or turn on an indicator
light to show flow is present.

Pressure Switch: Used to monitor

hydraulic pressure and then energize a
variety of solenoid valves or other
electrical components.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

14 Electrical Symbols
 Switches

Limit Switch: An electro-mechanical device

that consists of an actuator mechanically linked
to a set of contacts. When an object comes
into contact with the actuator, the device
operates the contacts to make or break an
electrical connection.

Proximity Switch: Can be normally open or

normally closed. They are used to open or
close an electrical circuit when they make
contact with or come within a certain
distance of an object.

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15 Electrical Symbols
 Switches

Ignition Switch: Located in the crane

operators cab this switch is used to start and
stop the crane engine and power up the crane
electrical system.

Mercury Switch: A switch whose purpose is

to allow or interrupt the flow of electric current
in an electrical circuit in a manner that is
dependent on the switch's physical position.

Seat Switch: Used to close or open a circuit

based on whether the operator is in or out of
the cab seat.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

16 Electrical Symbols
 Relays

A relay is an electrically operated

switch. Electric current through the
coil of the relay creates a magnetic
field which attracts a lever and
changes the switch contacts. The coil
current can be on or off so relays have
two switch positions and they are
double-throw switches.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

17 Electrical Symbols
 Relay Fundamentals

Grove use both normally open “NO”

and normally closed “NC” type of Exciter Power
relays. Power form a switch or another
relay is used to energize or “excite”
the relay. Once the relay is energized 12V
or excited, the relay shifts to either
close or open its contacts. This action
causes power to cross the contacts or
power to be lost across the contacts. Contacts
The relay will stay in this state until
Exciter Power
the energized or exciter power is
removed.

12V

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18 Electrical Symbols
 Relays w/Arc Suppression

Relays equipped with diodes to prevent

arcing of the switch contacts are
known as relays with arc suppression
With the diode placed across the coil
and the cathode pointing towards the
positive voltage. The diode acts like a
free-wheel for the circulating current in
the coil and makes the current decay
slowly instead of producing a spark
between the contacts.

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19 Electrical Symbols
 Solenoids

Solenoid valves are electromechanical

valves used with liquid or gas. The
valve is controlled by an electric
current through a solenoid coil.
Solenoid valves may have two or
more ports: in the case of a two-port
valve the flow is switched on or off; in
the case of a three-port valve, the
outflow is switched between the two
outlet ports.
Some solenoids may be equipped with
arc suppression diodes.

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20 Electrical Symbols
 Resistors

Resistor: A two terminal electrical

component that resist an electric current
by producing a voltage drop between its
terminals. A resistor can be thought of as
an electrical version of an orifice.

Variable Resistor: A two terminal

electrical component, a variable resistor
uses a sliding contact that allows a
variable range of resistance as the contact
is moved.

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21 Electrical Symbols
 Varistor

Varistors are often used to protect circuits

against excessive transient voltages by
incorporating them into the circuit in such
a way that, when triggered, they will shunt
the current created by the high voltage
away from the sensitive components.

Example – Grove RT700E Rear Axle Oscillation Lockout

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

22 Electrical Symbols
 Instrument Panel Indicators

Lamps: Used on some applications as

warning or instrument lights. Some lamp
symbols will designate a letter as part of the
symbol to indicate the lamp color.

Gauges: Used to show the operator the

status of items such as: engine water temp,
engine oil pressure, fuel level and engine
rpm.

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23 Electrical Symbols
 Horns & Alarms

Multiple symbols may be used to show

horns or alarms such as a crane horn,
audible alarm buzzers for crane overloads
or backup alarms.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

24 Electrical Symbols
 Electronic Controllers

Some current production models use

electronic controls for crane functions
(joysticks), foot throttles and brake
controls.

Example – Grove RT & TMS Foot Control Example – Grove RT & TMS Hand Control

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

25 Electrical Symbols
 Alternators & Motors

Alternator: Used in the electrical system

to maintain battery charge level. Normally
mounted to and driven by the engine and
in some cases also used to indicate
engine RPM.

Motors: This symbol is used to

represent an electric motor such as a
blower fan, wiper, cooler fan or a
starter motor.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

26 Electrical Symbols
 Transmission Shifter

Some models use electronic transmission

shifters located normally on the right side
of the steering column. Selecting a desired
transmission gear sends a electric signal
to the corresponding transmission shift
solenoid.

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

27 Electrical Symbols
 Miscellaneous Symbols

Heater Coils Flasher Motor Speed Switch

Potentiometer Time Delay Hoist Rotation Sensor

Grove Manitowoc National Crane Potain

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