Wiring Diagram Symbols Explained

By | July 16, 2022



The idea of wiring diagrams is more than enough to strike fear into the heart of any DIY enthusiast. With their seemingly endless array of symbols and lines, it can be difficult to make sense of them. But fear not! Wiring diagram symbols are actually quite logical once you understand what they mean.

Let’s start with the basic symbol shapes. Circles are typically used to represent switches, while rectangles are usually used to indicate outlets. Triangles with flat sides indicate lamps, while those with pointed corners refer to motors. Square boxes are commonly used for relays and transformers.

Now let’s look at how these basic shapes are connected. If two symbols are connected by a solid line, then they are electrically linked and passing current. If two symbols are connected by a dashed line, then they are not passing current. Rather, they are simple connected or ‘linked’ in some way, such as being switched off/on together.

Of course, there are lots of other symbols to help you decipher what’s going on. For example, an arrow pointing from one symbol to another indicates that something is controlling the current flow. A box with a diagonally dotted line indicates a bridge rectifier. And an exclamation mark in a box warns that something is wrong.

These are just some of the many wiring diagram symbols you may come across. Luckily, most of the time provided you remember the basics, you can figure out what’s going on. Always keep an eye out for the key features, such as connected lines, arrows, and shapes. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to quickly identify the different symbols and better understand the wiring diagrams of your projects.

So there you have it! Wiring diagram symbols explained. Remember, practice makes perfect - so grab your diagrams, sharpen up your understanding, and you’ll soon be linking components perfectly. Good luck!


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