The Open Door Web Site
Electricity and Magnetism

Electric Circuits

When drawing diagrams to represent electric circuits, the following symbols are used.

Wires crossing but not connected

OR

Wires crossing and connected

OR

Unless otherwise stated, we assume that connecting wires are made of a perfect conductor.

Switch
........

Battery
(or other D.C. supply)

A.C. supply
........

Resistor
......
......

Variable resistor
......
.......

Variable resistor
(used as a potential divider)

Filament lamp

Voltmeter

Ammeter

Transformer

 

© David Hoult 2008