Identifying Electronic Components

A resistor restricts the flow of current, for example to limit the current passing through an LED. A resistor is used with a capacitor in a timing circuit. Some publications still use the old resistor symbol: Resistors are electrical components that are used in electrical circuits to manipulate current flow. They are individual components and are measured in ohms that range from less than 1 ohm to well over millions of ohms. The higher the value of the resistor, the more resistance it has against current flow. The component itself is too small to have a value written over it, thus there are color codes printed on the resistor.

Potentiometers are variable resistors. They normally have their value marked on them, normally marked with the maximum value in Ohms.

A capacitor stores electric charge. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals.

A coil of wire which creates a magnetic field when current passes through it. It may have an iron core inside the coil. It can be used as a transducer converting electrical energy to mechanical energy by pulling on something.

An oscilloscope is used to display the shape of electrical signals and it can be used to measure their voltage and time period.

An electrically operated switch, for example a 9V battery circuit connected to the coil can switch a 230V AC mains circuit. NO = Normally Open, COM = Common, NC = Normally Closed.

Two coils of wire linked by an iron core. Transformers are used to step up (increase) and step down (decrease) AC voltages. Energy is transferred between the coils by the magnetic field in the core. There is no electrical connection between the coils.

Supplies electrical energy. A battery is more than one cell. The larger terminal (on the left) is positive (+).

A device which only allows current to flow in one direction.

A safety device which will 'blow' (melt) if the current flowing through it exceeds a specified value.

Wires and connections Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component To pass current very easily from one part of a circuit to another. A 'blob' should be drawn where wires are connected (joined), but it is sometimes omitted. Wires connected at 'crossroads' should be staggered slightly to form two Tjunctions, as shown on the right.

Wire

Wires joined

Wires not joined

In complex diagrams it is often necessary to draw wires crossing even though they are not connected. I prefer the 'bridge' symbol shown on the right because the simple crossing on the left may be misread as a join where you have forgotten to add a 'blob'!

Power Supplies
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
Supplies electrical energy. The larger terminal (on the left) is positive (+). A single cell is often called a battery, but strictly a battery is two or more cells joined together. Supplies electrical energy. A battery is more than one cell. The larger terminal (on the left) is positive (+). Supplies electrical energy. DC = Direct Current, always flowing in one direction. Supplies electrical energy. AC = Alternating Current, continually changing direction. A safety device which will 'blow' (melt) if the current flowing through it exceeds a specified value. Two coils of wire linked by an iron core. Transformers are used to step up (increase) and step down (decrease) AC voltages. Energy is transferred between the coils by the magnetic field in the core. There is no electrical connection between the coils. A connection to earth. For many electronic circuits this is the 0V (zero volts) of the power supply, but for mains electricity and some radio circuits it really means the earth. It is also known as ground.

Cell
Battery
DC supply

AC supply
Fuse

Transformer

Earth (Ground)

Output Devices: Lamps, Heater, Motor, etc.

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A transducer which converts electrical energy to light. This symbol is used for a lamp providing illumination, for example a car headlamp or torch bulb.

Lamp (lighting)

Motor Bell Buzzer

A transducer which converts electrical energy to kinetic energy (motion). A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound. A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound. A coil of wire which creates a magnetic field when current passes through it. It may have an iron core inside the coil. It can be used as a transducer converting electrical energy to mechanical energy by pulling on something.

Inductor (Coil, Solenoid)

Switches Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component A push switch allows current to flow only when the button is pressed. This is the switch used to operate a doorbell. This type of push switch is normally closed (on), it is open (off) only when the button is pressed. SPST = Single Pole, Single Throw. An on-off switch allows current to flow only when it is in the closed (on) position. SPDT = Single Pole, Double Throw. A 2-way changeover switch directs the flow of current to one of two routes according to its position. Some SPDT switches have a central off position and are described as 'on-off-on'.

Push Switch (push-to-make) Push-to-Break Switch On-Off Switch (SPST)

2-way Switch (SPDT)

Dual On-Off Switch (DPST)

DPST = Double Pole, Single Throw. A dual on-off switch which is often used to switch mains electricity because it can isolate both the live and neutral connections.

Reversing Switch (DPDT)

DPDT = Double Pole, Double Throw. This switch can be wired up as a reversing switch for a motor. Some DPDT switches have a central off position.
An electrically operated switch, for example a 9V battery circuit connected to the coil can switch a 230V AC mains circuit. NO = Normally Open, COM = Common, NC = Normally Closed.

Relay

Resistors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A resistor restricts the flow of current, for example to limit the current passing through an LED. A resistor is used with a capacitor in a timing circuit. Some publications still use the old resistor symbol:
This type of variable resistor with 2 contacts (a rheostat) is usually used to control current. Examples include: adjusting lamp brightness, adjusting motor speed, and adjusting the rate of flow of charge into a capacitor in a timing circuit. This type of variable resistor with 3 contacts (a potentiometer) is usually used to control voltage. It can be used like this as a transducer converting position (angle of the control spindle) to an electrical signal.

Resistor

Variable Resistor (Rheostat)

Variable Resistor (Potentiometer)

Variable Resistor (Preset)

This type of variable resistor (a preset) is operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is made and then left without further adjustment. Presets are cheaper than normal variable resistors so they are often used in projects to reduce the cost.

Capacitors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A capacitor stores electric charge. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals.

Capacitor

Capacitor, polarised

A capacitor stores electric charge. This type must be connected the correct way round. A capacitor is used with a resistor in a timing circuit. It can also be used as a filter, to block DC signals but pass AC signals.

Variable Capacitor

A variable capacitor is used in a radio tuner. This type of variable capacitor (a trimmer) is operated with a small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set when the circuit is made and then left without further adjustment.

Trimmer Capacitor

Diodes
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component

Diode

A device which only allows current to flow in one direction.

LED Light Emitting Diode

A transducer which converts electrical energy to light.

Zener Diode

A special diode which is used to maintain a fixed voltage across its terminals.

Photodiode

A light-sensitive diode.

Transistors
Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component

Transistor NPN

A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.

Transistor PNP

A transistor amplifies current. It can be used with other components to make an amplifier or switching circuit.

Phototransistor

A light-sensitive transistor.

Audio and Radio Devices

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A transducer which converts sound to electrical energy.

Microphone

Earphone

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Loudspeaker

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

Amplifier (general symbol)

An amplifier circuit with one input. Really it is a block diagram symbol because it represents a circuit rather than just one component.

Aerial (Antenna)

A device which is designed to receive or transmit radio signals. It is also known as an antenna.

Meters and Oscilloscope

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component
A voltmeter is used to measure voltage. The proper name for voltage is 'potential difference', but most people prefer to say voltage!

Voltmeter

Ammeter

An ammeter is used to measure current.

Galvanometer

A galvanometer is a very sensitive meter which is used to measure tiny currents, usually 1mA or less. An ohmmeter is used to measure resistance. Most multimeters have an ohmmeter setting. An oscilloscope is used to display the shape of electrical signals and it can be used to measure their voltage and time period.

Ohmmeter

Oscilloscope

Sensors (input devices)

Component Circuit Symbol Function of Component

LDR

A transducer which converts brightness (light) to resistance (an electrical property). LDR = Light Dependent Resistor

Thermistor

A transducer which converts temperature (heat) to resistance (an electrical property).