Electric Circuit and Electrical Symbols

Electrical circuits are virtually represented by circuit diagrams and electrical symbols. The pictorial representation of various electrical devices in a circuit diagram is known as an electrical symbol. Some unique electrical symbols denote various electrical components in a circuit, and these symbols are largely standardised. This article will acquaint you with the most frequently used electrical symbols for constructing and analysing circuit diagrams.

Table of Contents:

What is an Electric Circuit?

A system of conducting elements that are designed to conduct electric current for a particular purpose is known as an electric circuit. An electric circuit consists of a source of electrical energy; elements that either transform, dissipate, or store this energy; connecting wires. To prevent power overload, circuits often include a fuse or circuit breakers.
Electric Circuit and Electrical Symbols

A Short History of Circuits and Systems

The first electric circuit was invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800. Volta discovered that he could produce a steady flow of electricity using bowls of salt solution connected by metal strips. Later, he used alternating discs of copper, zinc, and cardboard that had been soaked in a salt solution to create his voltaic pile (an early battery). He successfully made the electric current flow through the circuit by attaching a wire running from top to bottom. The first practical use of electric current was employed in electrolysis, which further led to the development of new chemical elements. Β 

Components of an Electric Circuit

Electric circuits are amazing. Have you ever seen the game of Steady Hands? It is a circuit with a twisty wire between two points. The point of the game is to move a metallic object from one end of the electric wire to the other. If you touch the wire while moving this metallic object, the circuit buzzes, and you are out. It’s a fun game that can be made with stuff you can find at home. Let’s analyze an electric circuit and dive deeper into its components.

See the video below to understand the flow of the current


List of Electrical Components With Symbols

An electrical symbol is a graphical representation of electrical and electronic components. These symbols help us recognise a particular electronic device in a circuit. National and international standards define electrical symbols. Circuit symbols only represent the components of electrical and electronic circuits and do not define their function or process.

Let us have a look at how various components in a circuit are denoted:

Electrical Wire

A wire is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal through which electric current flows. It is usually made of good conducting metals such as copper.

Connected Wire

Connecting wires provide a medium to an electrical current so that they can travel from one point on a circuit to another.

Connected Wire

Disconnected Wire

In diagrams, we come across situations where we have wires crossing through other wires even though they are not connected to each other. Hence, it is preferred to have a hump as shown to depict the crossing of one wire over another wire.
Disconnected Wire

Earth Ground

The reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured, a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the earth.
Earth Ground

Chassis Ground

Chassis ground is the metal housing that some electrical device is encased in. The chassis may be connected to the green ground wire of your power lines.

Chassis Ground

Digital/Common Ground

The reference voltage of digital logic ICs. This means that no analogue signals are coupled into this reference plane.
Digital/Common Ground

Lamp/Light Bulb

It is a load that uses electric current to emanate light.

Lamp/Light Bulb

Resistor (IEE)/(IEC)

A resistor is a device that resists the flow of current through a circuit.
Resistor (IEE)/(IEC)

Variable Resistor/ Rheostat (IEE)/(IEC)

A variable resistor is a resistor whose electrical resistance can be adjusted. A rheostat is a variable resistor whose resistance can be varied to control the current in the circuit.

Variable Resistor/ Rheostat (IEE)/(IEC)

Potentiometer (IEE)/(IEC)

A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider.

Potentiometer (IEE)/(IEC)

Photoresistor/ Light-dependent resistor (LDR)

Photresisor decreases resistance with respect to receiving luminosity.

Photoresistor/ Light-dependent resistor (LDR)

Thermistor

A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance is dependent on temperature.

Thermistor

Capacitor

A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field.

Capacitor

Variable Capacitor

A variable capacitor is a capacitor whose capacitance may be intentionally and repeatedly changed mechanically or electronically.

Variable Capacitor

Polarized Capacitor

A capacitor whose anode is made of metal forms an insulating oxide layer through anodisation.

Polarized Capacitor

Voltage Source/ Current Source

A voltage source is an electrical component that can maintain a fixed voltage irrespective of the load resistance and output current.

Voltage Source/ Current Source

Battery Cell/ Battery

A battery is a device that consists of two or more electrochemical cells with external connections.

Battery Cell/ Battery

AC Voltage Source

It is a source hose positive and negative terminals change periodically.

AC Voltage Source

Controlled Voltage Source/ Controlled Current Source

A current-controlled voltage source produces a voltage that is linearly proportional to the current. A controlled or dependent current source, on the other hand, changes its available current depending upon the voltage.

Controlled Voltage Source/ Controlled Current source

Voltmeter

The voltmeter is an instrument for measuring electrical potential.

Voltmeter

Ammeter

The Ammeter is an instrument for measuring electric current.
Ammeter

Diode

The diode is a semiconductor device with two terminals that allows current to flow only in one direction.
Diode

Zener Diode

The Zener diode is a type of diode that allows the flow of reverse current when it reaches a certain Zener voltage.

Zener Diode

Schottky Diode

The Schottky Diode is a diode formed by the junction of a semiconductor with a metal.

Schottky Diode

Varicap Diode

The Varicap diode is a type of diode designed to exploit the voltage-dependent capacitance of a reverse-biased p–n junction.

Varicap Diode

Photodiode

The photodiode is a type of semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current.

Photodiode

NPN Bipolar Transistor

The NPN bipolar transistor is the transistor in which one p-type material is placed between two n-type materials.

NPN Bipolar Transistor

PNP Bipolar Transistor

PNP bipolar transistor is the transistor in which one n-type material is placed between two p-type materials.

PNP Bipolar Transistor

OR/NOR Gate

OR gate performs a logical operation which gives the value one if at least one operand has the value one and otherwise gives a value of zero.
NOR gives the value one if and only if all operands have a value of zero and otherwise has a value of zero.

OR/NOR Gate

AND/NAND Gate

AND gate gives the value one if and only if all the operands are one, and otherwise has a value of zero.
NAND gate gives the value zero if and only if all the operands have a value of one, and otherwise have a value of one.

AND/NAND Gate

XOR/ NOT Gate

XOR gate is a digital logic gate that gives a true output when the number of true inputs is odd.
NOT gate is a logic gate which implements logical negation.

XOR/ NOT Gate

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Watch the video and solve important questions in the chapter Electricity Class 10

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is a motor?

A motor is a device that can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Q2

What is a photodiode?

A type of semiconductor device that converts light into an electrical current.

Q3

What are electrical symbols?

Electrical symbols are a graphical representation of electrical and electronic components.

Q4

Which conducting material is used in electrical wires?

Copper is the commonly used conducting material used in electrical wires.
Q5

What is an electrical fuse?

A fuse is a protective device that protects circuits against the flow of excess electrical current. A fuse symbol is used to represent the fuse in the circuit.

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