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Uses of Electrical Symbols in the Field of Electricity

Electrical symbols are small drawings, or pictograms, used to denote various electrical devices in a drawing or plan of an electric circuit. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is responsible for keeping these symbols up to date, discontinuing old symbols and adding new ones as electrical technology advances. The IEC 60617 is a published record of these recommended symbols. However, the symbols can vary in different countries due to previous traditions.

  1. Primary Uses

    • Most electrical symbols are readily available on the Internet. These symbols are used in schematics for numerous types of electrical jobs. For example, if you are trying to wire your house, look for symbols prominent in house wiring. The symbols for electrical house wiring apparatuses such as certain switches and other electrical components will appear. Practically any electrical fixture found in a house will have a symbol that coincides to said fixture on an electrical drawing or diagram. These drawings allow for easy reference for an electrical contractor, making it easier to build as well.

    Role in the Field of Electricity

    • Some of you may be wondering why such symbols are used in the field of electricity, especially when there are variants. An immediate answer may be that the symbols do provide all necessary information to the electrician or contractor. For all intents and purposes, all IEC or variant symbols will indicate what types of fixtures are being used. The symbols also determine what type of switch is needed, and can even dictate the amount of voltage needed. Trying to explain all of this in words could prove quite cumbersome. Electrical symbols are much more efficient. For instance, a small picture of two lines connected with a dot allows a person to recognize a plan calling for joined wires without taking up unnecessary space in the schematics.

    Symbols Used in Circuit Diagrams

    • Electronic symbols are used in circuit diagrams. Circuit diagrams have uses in both science and electronics, and though electronics may be considered by some as its own brand of science, the diagrams are drawn differently. Circuit diagrams for electronics are drawn with the power supply on the side of the diagram. The positive supply is placed at the top and the negative supply at the bottom. Circuit diagrams for science follow a different pattern, with the battery traditionally drawn at the top of the diagram.

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