100+ Electrical Symbols with Names, Meanings & PDF (Complete Guide)

In an Electrical field, Whether it is an electrical machine, or electrical panel , or electrical instructions, or electrical drawings, Multiple electrical symbols are marked it.

For a new comer, These symbols seems like a puzzle. Those electrical symbols are not puzzles instead these are the helping signs. Through these signs, It becomes much easier to understand the instruction.

Further in this post, Electrical symbols are going to be discuss. Uses of electrical symbols and further most basic electrical symbols are represented.

What are electrical symbols?

An electrical symbol is a type of “graphical representation“, produces an instant information in just a one blink. Symbols are much better than a long written definition.

A graphical representation translates the information irrespective of the language so that origin region and using region makes no difference.

These electrical symbols act like a language for whole world. At a world level, These symbol are standardized so that technicians do not to study the language of particular country or region.

As per particular international standard, Each symbol has “unique name” and “unique code“.

Why are these electrical symbols used?

• Electrical symbol can be confine in small region with maximum information.
• These symbols are standerdized, All over world symbols remains the same.
• Symbol explains the range.
• Symbol explains the type.
• Explain the method of procedure
• Explain safety instructions
• Identify the equipment and part of the equipment.
• Indicate the function or state(on, off, alarm
• Designate connections (Terminals, State)
• Provide information on packaging
• Provide information about the operation of the device

Basic electrical symbols

Next, The basic electrical symbols are discussed in a tabular form. There are multiple standards over the world. In that table symbol from IEC(International electrotechnical commission) IEC-60617 are been discussed.

SNO.	SYMBOL NAME	GRAPHICAL SYMBOL	IEC symbol ID
1.	Plus, Positive polarity		S00077
2.	Minus, Negative polarity		S00078
3.	Alternating current
4.	Three-phase alternating current
5.	Three-phase alternating current with neutral conductor
6.	Two-phase alternating current
7.	Two-phase alternating current with neutral conductor
8.	Single-phase alternating current
9.	Neutral
10.	Earth; Ground		S00200
11.	Functional Earth; Functional Ground		S01408
12.	Protective Earth; Protective Ground		S00202
13.	On(Power)
14.	Off(Power)
15.	On-off push button
16.	On-off push button 2
17.	Stand-by
18.	Battery, General
19.	Battery, General
20.	Fuse		S00362
21.	Direct current		S00004
22.	Input
23.	Output
24.	Graphical symbol, Capacitor		S00567
25.	Graphical symbol, ohm(units of resistance)
26.	Graphical symbol, Resistor		S00555
27.	Graphical symbol, fuse isolator, fuse-disconnector		S00369
28.	Graphical symbol, disconnector; isolator		S00288
29.	Circuit Breaker		S00287
30.	Inductor, Coil
31.	variable capacitor		S00573
32.	Polarity capacitor
33.	Connection, General symbol
34.	Flexible connection		S00006
35.	Connection point, Junction
36.	Terminal		S00017
37.	Contact, Female		S00031
38.	Contact, Male		S00032
39.	Emergency		S00258
40.	Motor starter, general symbol		S00297
41	Direct online starter, reversing		S00301
42.	Star delta starter		S00302
43.	Relay coil, General Symbol		S00305
44.	Spark gap		S00371
45.	Spot light		S00488
46.	Flood light		S00489
47.	Heating Element		S00566
48.	Ferrite bead		S00592
49.	Light dependent resistor		S00684
50.	Machine, General symbol		S00819
51.	AC power supply
52.	Induction motor, three phase		S00836
53.	Current transformer		S00851
54.	Transformer with two windings		S00841
55.	Heat source		S00900
56.	Galvanometer		S000924
57.	Watt hour meter		S00933
58.	Thermocouple		S00952
59.	Master clock		S00960
60.	Light emitting diode		S01919
61.	Hour meter		S00931
62.	Material solid		S00114
63.	Shield, Screen		S00065
64.	Adjustability		S00081
65.	Automatic control		S00091
66.	Material liquid		S00115
67.	Thermal effect		S00120
68.	Electromagnetic effect		S00121
69.	Delay		S00124
70.	Semiconductor effect		S00125
71.	Pulse, Positive going		S00132
72.	Pulse, Negative going		S00133
73.	Saw-tooth wave		S00137
74.	Brake, Released		S00165
75.	Brake, Applied		S00164
76.	Movable contact		S00211
77.	Converter, General symbol		S00213
78.	Starter with autotransformer		S00303
79.	Manhole for underground chamber		S00412
80.	Timer		S00478
81.	Push button		S00475
82.	Projector, General symbol		S00487
83.	Wind direction indicator		S00548
84.	Warning sign, General symbol		S00552
85.	One winding		S00796
86.	Three- phase winding, Star		S00808
87.	Three- phase winding, Delta		S00806
88.	Linear motor, General symbol		S00820
89.	Voltage transformer		S00878
90.	Voltmeter		S00913
91.	Power-factor meter		S00917
92.	Frequency meter		S00919
93.	Var hour meter		S00945
94.	Pulse counting device		S00947
95.	Earphone, General symbol		S01056
96.	Loud speaker, General symbol		S01059
97.	Amplifier, General symbol		S01239
98.	Filter, General symbol		S01246
99.	Camera		S01887
100.	Detector, General symbol		S01870
101.	Oscilloscope		S00922

SUMMARY

• Electrical symbols serve as a universal graphical representation in electrical fields, aiding comprehension of machines, panels, instructions, and diagrams.
• For newcomers, these symbols may appear complex, yet they convey essential information effectively and efficiently without the need for detailed language explanations.
• Standardized globally, electrical symbols are assigned unique names and codes, allowing technicians to understand them regardless of regional differences.
• Electrical symbols assist in conveying equipment functions, safety instructions, and procedural methods while identifying components.
• The post further discusses basic symbols as per international standards, emphasizing their importance in electrical communication and documentation.