Standard symbols
Electric circuit symbols
An electric circuit is a complete path of conductor from one terminal of a battery to the other.
The following symbols show the different components that can be found in an electrical circuit.
Components
Some of the more common components are:
Switch
A switch is used to turn a circuit on (closed) and off (open).
When the switch is open, there is a break in the circuit and current stops flowing.
Lamp
An An electric current is a flow of charged particles in one direction. In solids, an electric current is the flow of free electrons in one direction. heats the filament in a bulb so that glows white hot and gives out light.
Fixed resistor
A resistor restricts or limits the flow of electrical current.
A fixed resistor has a resistance that does not change.
Variable resistor
Adjusting this resistor changes its resistance.
A variable resistor is used in some dimmer switches and volume controls.
Cell or battery (a battery is a number of cells joined together)
A chemical reaction occurs inside a cell with chemical energy being converted to electrical energy.
A cell has a positive terminal and a negative terminal.