3

CHAPTER

Symbols

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 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
1. Draw the symbols used in electrical wiring dia-
grams and ladder diagrams.
2. Use the resistor color code to select the proper size
resistors.
3. Identify relay contact symbols.
4. Identify electronic schematic symbols.
Electrical wiring diagrams and ladder diagrams,
which are the main means of communicating between
engineer and technician in the motor controls field, are
made up of nothing more than lines connecting certain
symbols.
Symbols are used as a sort of shorthand that allows
many electrical functions to be identified and sketched
out in a small area. People familiar with the symbols
used in the electrical field are able to identify certain
components and figure out how they are wired and
how they operate.
Symbols are the heart of any wiring diagram.
Because they are so important a part of the job, it is
best to become acquainted with them at an early stage
in the learning of a trade.
ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
Electrical symbols are used on blueprints and in
wiring diagrams for buildings and plants. Figure 3-1
shows the standardized symbols utilized by drafters
who draw wiring diagrams for the placement of elec-
trical equipment and control devices.
Common Switch (Button)
Symbols
Motor controls technicians work with switches (but-
tons) and their associated components to make a
motor do what it is supposed to do when it is sup-
posed to do it. Some of the symbols used for switch-
ing are shown in Fig. 3-2. Note the pressure and
vacuum switches, liquid-level switch, temperature-
actuated switch, and flow switch. These will be uti-
lized by the motor control technician in their many
applications. Switches may also be referred to as
buttons.
Standard Wiring Diagram
Symbols
Some basic symbols used in wiring diagrams that you
will be studying are shown in Fig. 3-3. All of these will
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be encountered in a normal wiring diagram for the con-
trol of electric motors in an industrial or commercial
installation.
ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
The field of electronics has its own symbols that are
used by those who draw wiring diagrams. More and
more electronics are being utilized in the control of
motors (Figs. 3-4 and 3-5).
Resistor Color Code
It is a good idea to learn how the resistor color code
is read. Many electronic controls have resistors
identified by the color code. The color code is used
on resistors from 0.1 to 2 W. The small resistors are
useful primarily in electronic circuits that draw very
little current. They usually have large resistances, as
opposed to the larger wire-wound types used
directly in series with motor windings (Fig. 3-6).
Electronic Symbols Compared
Figure 3-7 shows the usual electronic symbol on the
left and compares it with industrial control sym-
bols. This will give you an idea as to how they may
differ when you are looking at a wiring diagram. In
most instances, the capacitor symbol is a straight
line with a curved line parallel to it. The older sym-
bol shown is there for those schematics or wiring
diagrams you may find hidden away in a closet from
bygone days.
RELAY CONTACT SYMBOLS
One of the things you do work with a great deal in
controlling motors is relays. Figure 3-8 shows some
of the basic relay contact symbols that may be used.
Keep in mind what make and break mean when
working with relays. The single pole, single throw is
similar to switches symbols. Remember, the relay
contacts are doing exactly what the switch contact is
doing—making and breaking or closing and opening
the circuit.
LINE DIAGRAMS, WIRING
DIAGRAMS, AND LADDER
DIAGRAMS
Different types of drawings and diagrams are cov-
ered in Chap. 4 in greater detail. However, at this
point it may be well to take a closer look at symbols
in action.
 Fig. 3-1 Electrical symbols for architectural plans.

Line Diagrams, Wiring Diagrams, and Ladder Diagrams 63

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 Fig. 3-2 Common switch symbols.

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 Fig. 3-3 Standard wiring diagram symbols. (Square D)

Line Diagrams, Wiring Diagrams, and Ladder Diagrams 65

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 Fig. 3-4 Electronic schematic symbols.
Figure 3-9 shows the symbols put to work in the
typical ladder diagram. Note that there are both a line
1 (L1) and a line 2 (L2), where the power is brought
into the circuit. Then the various devices are con-
nected to both sides of the power line. At this time
you should focus on how the contacts are drawn in the
circuit in reference to what device is being controlled
by the normally open (NO) and normally closed
(NC) contacts. Also take a close look at the START and
STOP switches. As soon as the START switch (button) is
closed, M in the circle will energize. This causes the
M contacts (located across the START switch), which
are NO, to close. That completes the circuit from L1
through the stop switch and the START switch through
coil M and the overload contacts (O.L.) to the other
side of the line L2. Once the coil is energized, the NO
contacts across the START switch stay closed and the
START switch can be released. However, when the STOP
switch is opened, it causes the circuit to de-energize
and the contacts M to open again until the START button
is again closed.
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Now drop down to the next line in the diagram.
Note that the NC contacts have an M above them.
This means that they are connected to the M coil or
relay. When the M coil is energized, these contacts
open and turn off the pilot light connected in series
with the contacts.
The pushbutton station wiring diagram is a repre-
sentation of the physical station, showing relative posi-
tions of units, suggested internal wiring, and connections
with the starter.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Where are electrical symbols used?
2. Draw five basic symbols used in wiring diagrams that
you will need in studying electric motor controls.
3. What are the resistor color code colors? What do
they mean?
4. What are the basic relay symbols used in diagrams?
 Fig. 3-5 More electronics symbols (old and new).

Review Questions 67

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 Fig. 3-6 Resistor color code.

Fig. 3-7 Comparison of industrial electricity symbols with

more common electronic circuit symbols.

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 Fig. 3-8 Basic relay contact symbols.

Fig. 3-9 Explanation of control circuit symbols.

Review Questions 69

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5. What is a ladder diagram?
6. What is the difference between a schematic and a
ladder diagram?
REVIEW PROBLEMS
The use of symbols is important in the electrical cir-
cuitry. Symbols make the task of drawing circuits and
analyzing them easier. Series circuits symbols utilize
symbols at the beginning level. A review of series cir-
cuits is presented here in the form of problems.
RT ⫽ R1 ⫹ R2 ⫹ R3 ⫹ . . .
1. Three resistors of 10, 100, and 200 ⍀ are connected
in series. What is the total resistance?
2. If the resistance in problem 1 is connected to 620 V,
what is the current drawn?
3. A set of eight old-style Christmas tree lights are
connected in series and each draws 0.15 A. What is
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the voltage drop across each lamp if the applied
voltage is 120 V? What is the total current of the
circuit?
4. A series resistor combination of 6, 12, and 18 ⍀ is
connected to a power source of 72 V. What is the
current flowing through an ammeter inserted
between the 12- and 18-⍀ resistors?
5. What is the resistance of a third resistor if the first
two are 10 ⍀ and 20 ⍀ and the total resistance of the
circuit measures 50 ⍀.
6. The total resistance of a series circuit is 220 ⍀. It has
two resistors of 100 ⍀ each. What is the resistance
of the third resistor?
7. If one lamp burns out in a series string of ten 12-V
lamps and you short the burned-out filament, what
will be the voltage drop across each lamp?
8. What happens to the current in a series circuit if
the voltage stays the same at the source but the
resistance is reduced by having one resistor short?