Circuit Symbols for Wires, Cables, Switches, Connectors

Circuit symbols for the mechanical items found on all circuits: wires, cables, switches, connectors, etc. . .

Ciircuits, Diagrams & Symbols Includes:
Circuit symbols overview     Resistors     Capacitors     Inductors, coils, chokes & transformers     Diodes     Bipolar transistors     Field effect transistors     Wires, switches & connectors     Analogue & functional circuit blocks     Logic    

The more mechanical items like wires, cable, conenctors and switches also require circuit symbols. Although, in some respects they do not always contribute to the circuit operation in the same way as resistors, capacitors and active devices, they are nevertheless equally important and ahve their circuit symbols.

There is a wide variety of circuit symbols for wires, cables, switches and connectors, indicating the wide variety of options that are available.


Circuit symbols
 
Item Type Circuit Symbol
Wires crossing but not joined Circuit symbol for wires crosing but not joined
Wires crossing but not joined
Often used on older circuits to clarify wires are not joined. 		Circuit symbol for wires crosing but not joined
Wire junction
Note the dot at the junction. 		Circuit symbol for wire junction
Two wire junction
Double junction symbol often used for joined crossing wires to remove possiblity of confusion.		 Circuit symbol for wire double junction
Wires crossing & joined
To avoid confusion with unjoined wires it is normally best practice to use the symbol for the double junction. 		Circuit symbol for wires crosing but not joined
Coaxial cable / feeder Circuit symbol for coaxial cable
Test point Circuit symbol for test point
Terminal
Typically at the edge of a board, circuit, etc. 		Circuit symbol for terminal
Switch SPST Circuit symbol for single pole single throw switch
Switch SPST normally closed Circuit symbol for single pole single throw switch normally closed
Switch SPST push button / momentary action Circuit symbol for single pole single throw switch push button / momentary action
Switch DPST Circuit symbol for double pole single throw switch
Switch SPDT Circuit symbol for single pole double throw switch
Switch single pole 4 way Circuit symbol for single pole 4 way

Note: abbreviations for switches include:
    SPST: Single pole single throw
    DPST: Double pole, single throw
    SPDT: Single pole, double throw
    DPDT: Double pole, double throw

The number of "throws" equates to the number of active positions on the switch. The term throw is normally only used for single and double throw switches, after that the terminology refers to 4 way or 8 way switches, etc.. The number of poles equates to the number of circuits that are switched, i.e. the number of sections within the switch.

Ian Poole   Written by Ian Poole .
  Experienced electronics engineer and author.



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