Australian Standard Electrical Schematic Symbols

How many times have you been faced with a circuit diagram with all sorts of unfamiliar symbols, and thought to yourself “What on Earth do these mean?”. Chances are, if you’re in any way involved with electrical engineering, it won’t be the first time. In fact, the complex web of symbols that make up an electrical schematic can be enough to put anyone off their game.

However, if you know the Australian Standard Electrical Schematic Symbols, the task of deciphering a circuit diagram suddenly becomes a lot simpler. These symbols have been around since the 1950s, used by electrical engineers worldwide to represent various components found in circuits. What’s more, they follow an intuitive logic: each symbol is based on the component it represents, which makes them much easier to remember.

To help you get started, let’s look at some of the most common symbols that are found in electrical schematics. The symbols for resistors and capacitors will look very familiar: the resistor has two circles linked together, while the capacitor has two parallel lines. Likewise, the symbols for transistors and diodes are easy to recognize: the diode has a single curved line, while the transistor looks like a horseshoe.

It’s important to also note that not all symbols are consistent across countries. For instance, in the UK, the symbol for a switch is a triangle, whereas in Australia it is a circle. While this confusion is often resolved by making sure to use the Australian Standard, it pays to double-check component symbols before connecting any wires.

By familiarising yourself with the Australian Standard Electrical Schematic Symbols, you’ll soon be able to read any circuit diagram with ease. What’s more, you’ll be able to quickly identify any potential problems in your circuit designs - saving you time, effort, and money in the long run. So why not take the opportunity today to get to grips with these symbols, and see how easily you can start understanding the ‘language of electronics’.

Circuit Layout Connections And Symbols