Electrical Symbols and

1
Chapter
Standards

1.1  NEED OF ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS

Drawing is the language of engineers. For proper communication people must use
the same language so that a particular word or symbol means the same thing to every
one. In engineering drawing it is common practice to employ graphical symbols to
denote the various accessories used. These symbols must convey the same meaning
to everyone who reads the drawing. Symbols are, therefore, standardized by the
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as far as possible according to internationally
agreed conventions as adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
An important consideration in selecting symbols is that they should be, as far
as possible, self explanatory and easy to draw.
It must be realized that even though the Bureau of Indian Standards has
standardized the symbols for nearly all accessories/components used in the field of
electrical engineering, these symbols are not yet universally used. Therefore, it is
possible that the reader may come across, in other books, different symbols from
the ones used in this text. However, in an attempt to encourage standardization,
symbols approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have been used in
this text. The reader is advised to make it a habit to refer to the Indian Standard
Specifications to ensure the correctness of a symbol. IS: 2032 gives a list of
standard symbols.

1.2  LIST OF SYMBOLS

1.2.1   Kind of Current

Direct current —
Alternating current
Power frequency
Apparatus and machines suitable either for
d.c. or a.c. (universal)

1
 2 Electrical Design: Estimating and Costing

1.2.2   System of Distribution

a.c. of m-phase and frequency m f
Example
( ) a.c., single phase, 50 Hz 1 50 Hz
(b) a.c., three-phase, 50 Hz 3 50 Hz
(c) a.c., three-phase, 50 Hz, 415 V 3 50 Hz, 415 V
Neutral
Example
(a) a.c., three-phase, with neutral, 50 Hz  3N 50 Hz
(b) a.c., three-phase, with neutral, 50 Hz  3N 50 Hz, 415 V
415 V (240 V between phase and neutral)

d.c. two conductors 110 V 2 — 110 V

d.c., three conductors, including neutral,

2N — 220V
220 V, (110 V between outer conductors
and neutral)

Positive polarity +
Negative polarity –

1.2.3   Symbols of Lines

Line or cable: existing —
planned
Underground cable

Overhead line (general symbol)

1.2.4  Conductors
Conductors or a group of several conductors —
Flexible conductor
Note: Use one or several half circles reversely drawn; two half circles are
never to be used because of a possible confusion with symbol for alternating
current.
 Electrical Symbols and Standards 3

Two conductors:
(a) Single line representation 

(b) Multiline representation 

Three conductors:
(a) Single line representation 

(b) Multiline representation 

n
n conductors: 

Example
Four conductors:
4
Single line representation 

Multiline representation 

Indication of conductor particulars

(a) Example: d.c. circuit, 110 V, two conductors of 125 mm2 of aluminium
– 110 V
Single line representation 
2 × 125mm2 A

– 110 V
Multiline representation 
2 × 125mm2 A

(b) Example: d.c. circuit 220 V (110 V between outer conductors and
neutral), two conductors of 50 mm2 with neutral of 25 mm2

2N – 220 V
Single line representation 
2 × 50mm2 + 1 × 25mm2

2N – 220 V
Multiline representation 
2 × 50mm2 + 1 × 25mm2

(c) Example: Three-phase circuit 50Hz 6 kV, three conductors of 50 mm2

3 50 Hz, 6 kV
Single line representation  2
3 × 50mm

3 50 Hz, 6 kV
Multiline representation 
2
3 × 50mm
 4 Electrical Design: Estimating and Costing

(d) Example: Three phase circuit, 50 Hz 3 conductors of 125 mm2 with

neutral of 50 mm2:

4 3N 50 Hz
Single line representation  2 2
3 × 125mm + 1 × 50mm

3N 50 Hz
Multiline representation 
2 2
3 × 125mm + 1 × 50mm

4
Changing over from a single line 
representation to a multiline    Or
4
representation.

Example: Four conductors

Group of n conductors which     n
follow the same way on the diagram.

1.2.5   Terminals and Connections of Conductors

Terminal OR

Junction of conductors  

Double junction of conductors   Or Or

Crossing without electrical connection 

Crossing and connecting conductors

Single line representation  

Multiline representation  

1.2.6   Circuit Elements

Non-reactive resistance or non-reactive resistor  R

Impedance  Z
 Electrical Symbols and Standards 5

Inductance, inductor  L

Winding 

Capacitance, capacitor 

Note: The distance between the plates should not be greater than one-fifth of
the length of the plates.

Earth 

Frame or chassis connection 

Frame or chassis earth connection 

Fault 

Example: Position of fault to frame 

Screen  – – – – – – –

Example: Screened conductor or screened cable 

Magnetic core 

Laminated core 

1.2.7  Variability
Note:
(a) Variability is ‘inherent’ when the variable quantity depends on qualities
of the device itself, for example, when the resistance changes with the
change of voltage or with change of temperature.
(b) Variability is ‘non-inherent’ when the variable quantity is controlled by
an external device, for example, when the resistance is controlled by a
regulator.
(c) The sign of variability should be drawn across the main symbol at about
45° to the centre line of the symbol.
 6 Electrical Design: Estimating and Costing

Examples of variable resistors

(a) General symbol 

(b) Continuously variable 

(c) Variable in steps 

(d) With moving contact (general symbol) 

(e) With moving contact continuosly variable 

(f ) With moving contact, variable in steps 

(g) Voltage divider with moving contact 

1.2.8   Rotating Machines

Mechanically coupled machines: 

d.c. two wire series generator (G)  

or motor (M) M

d.c. two wire generator (G) or   G   

motor (M), separately excited.

d.c. two wire shunt generator (G)  M

or motor (M),

d.c. two wire generator (G) or  

motor (M), compound excited, G
short shunt
Electrical Symbols and Standards 7

Symbol showing terminals, brushes and

numerical data:

Example: d.c. two wire generator, 240V

G
compound excited, short shunt, 240V, 30kW
30 kW

a.c. series motor single phase M

1

a.c. series motor three phase

M
3

Synchronous generator (GS) or GS

synchronous motor (MS) single-phase. 1

Synchronous generator (GS) or

synchronous motor (MS), three-phase, GS
Y
star connected, neutral not brought out.

Synchronous generator (GS) or

synchronous motor (MS), three-phase, GS
star connected, neutral brought out. Y

Synchronous generator (GS) or

synchronous motor (MS), three-phase, GS
both leads of each phase brought out.

Or

GS

Or

GS
8 Electrical Design: Estimating and Costing

Symbol showing terminals, brushes

and numerical data:

Example: Synchronous Generator     6600 V

1000 kVA, 50Hz
(GS) or synchronous motor (MS),   
GS 120 V–
three-phase, both leads of each
phase brought out, 6600 V, 1000 kVA,
50 Hz, 120 V d.c.

Induction motor, Squirrel cage     

M
single-phase.   1

Induction motor, squirrel cage,     

M
single-phase, leads of split phase     1
brought out.

Induction motor, squirrel cage,      M

three phase delta connected.

Induction motor, three phase,       M

squirrel cage, both leads of each 3

phase brought out. Or

M
3

Induction motor, three-phase,       M

3
wound rotor.
 Electrical Symbols and Standards 9

1.2.9  Transformers

single line multiline

representation representation

Single phase transformers, with 11000 V

250 KVA
two- or three-phase windings: 50Hz
4%
Example: 11,000/415 V, 250 kVA, 415V
50Hz short circuit voltage 4%

Three phase transformer with two 6600V

4000KVA
separate windings: Y 7.5%
YD11
Example: Star delta 6600/1100 V, 11000V
4000 kVA, 50 Hz. Connection Y d
11 50 Hz

Short circuit voltage 7.5%

single line multiline

Auto–transformer:
representation representation

(a) Auto-transformer, single-

phase.

(b) Auto-transformer, three-

phase, star connected.

(c) Auto-transformer, single-

phase, with continous
voltage regulation.
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1.2.10  Switchgear

Switch-general symbol  

(a) Two way  

(b) Intermediate 

Three-pole switch, multiline representation  

Three-pole switch, single line representation  

Circuit breaker  

Isolator  

Terminal strip  1112 1314 15 1112 1314 15

Link  

Open link  

Distribution board cubical box  

1.2.11  Contacts
Socket  

Plug 

Plug and socket 

Relay or contactor contact, normally  Or

open (NO)

Relay or contactor contact normally  Or

closed (NC)
Electrical Symbols and Standards 11

Push-button with momentary closed  

contact (normally open contact) Or

Push-button with momentary open  

contact (normally closed contact) Or

Thermal overload relay contact  

Time-delay relay contact  

Limit switch (NC contact)  

Limit switch (NO contact)  

Or

1.2.12   Relays and Contactors

Coil of electro-magnetic relay or contactor  

Thermal overload relay  

Electrically operated three-pole contactor  

Electrically operated three-pole contactor  

with thermal overload device in all three-
poles

Time delay relay (TDR)  

 12 Electrical Design: Estimating and Costing

1.2.13  Fuse-boards
Lighting circuit fuse-boards:
(a) Main fuse-board without switches 

(b) Main fuse-board with switches 

(c) Distribution fuse-board without swithces 

(d) Distribution fuse-board with switches 

Power circuit fuse-boards:

(a) Main fuse-board without switches 

(b) Main fuse-board with switches 

(c) Distribution fuse-board without switches 

(d) Distribution fuse-board with switches 

1.2.14   Switch and Switch Outlets

One way switch
(a) Single pole 

(b) Two-pole 

(c) Three-pole 

Two-way switch 

Intermediate switch 

Push-button or bell-push 

1.2.15   Socket Outlets

Socket outlet, 5 A 

Socket outlet, 15 A 

Combined switch and socket outlet, 5 A