Schematic Diagrams

Schematic diagrams are like the blueprints

of the electronic world.
Let's break down the
essentials:
1. Symbols
Just like in technical drawings, symbols
in schematics represent different
components. Resistors, capacitors,
transistors—they all have their unique
symbols. It's like creating a secret code
for electronic components.
2. Wires and Connections

Lines connecting components

show how they're electrically
linked.
A dot where lines intersect
indicates a connection. Imagine
these lines as the electrical
highways in your circuit.
3. Power Sources

• There are many different types of power

sources, and here some of the most common
types that are mainly used in electronics.
These can be classified into two main types ,
AC and DC. DC have its subtypes, DC
voltage and DC current, same goes for AC.
• DC voltage can be supplied by using a battery
or by a power supply circuit; power supply
circuit is also a variable type supply
depending on its design construction.
• AC on the other hand is be supplied by the
“power sockets” that are readily available at
homes, or a generator that generates power
using fuel. There are also variable types of
AC power but it still depends on its design
construction.
4. Ground Symbol

The universal symbol for

electrical ground—a crucial
reference point in a circuit. It's like
the circuit's anchor, ensuring
stability.
5. Diodes and Directional Components

• A diode is an electronics component

made from a combination of a P-
type and N-type semiconductor
material, known as a p-n junction,
with leads attached to the two ends.
• These leads allow you to easily
incorporate the diode into your
electronic circuits.
• The lead attached to the n-type
semiconductor is called the cathode.
Thus, the cathode is the negative
side of the diode.
6. Resistors

• These are the most common types of resistors

available. Resistors like rheostat and potentiometer
are virtually the same, the difference is that a
potentiometer always have 3 pins while rheostat
may have 2 or 3 pins depending on its subtype and
application.
• They also differ in application as rheostat is used to
control very much larger current compared to the
potentiometer.
• The thermistor is a variable type resistor, specially
design to adjust its resistance with respect to the
temperature around it.
• The other type of variable resistor is the
photoresistor, designed to adjust its resistance with
respect to the light intensity.
7. Capacitors

• A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electronic

component that stores electrical energy in
an electric field. There are two classifications of
capacitors, polarized and non-polarized.
• Polarized capacitors can only be used in one
polarity but not the other, this is due to its
construction. These types of capacitors are
called electrolytics.

• Non-polarized capacitor on the other hand can be

used in any way because it has no implicit
polarity. These type of capacitors are sometimes
known as bipolar capacitors. Lastly is a variable
capacitor, is a capacitor whose capacitance may
be intentionally and repeatedly changed.
8. Inductors

• An inductor is a passive two-terminal electrical

component that stores in a magnetic field when current
flows through it.
• It is also called a choke, coil or reactor. There are two
main classifications of inductors, air core and iron core.
• Shown above are common types of inductors that are
readily available.
• The air core inductor does not necessarily mean that it
does not have a core, it just not use magnetic core.
• It uses ceramic, plastic, or other non-magnetic material.
Iron core inductor on the other hand is an inductor that
have iron as a core.
• Other types of inductor are variable and tapped inductor.
Variable inductor is used vary the inductantance of the
inductor depending on the desired value.
• A tapped inductor is a coil to which electrical access is
available at more points, transformers are an example of
tapped inductor.
9. Switches and Buttons

• A switch is an electrical component that can “make” or

“break” an electrical circuit.
• Hand actuated switch means that the switch is operated
manually using physical contact.
• Above are schematic symbols of the most common hand
actuated switches.
• Single Pole, Single Throw (SPST) is a simple on-off
switch, the two terminals are either connected together
(normally closed) or disconnected from each other
(normally open).
• Double Pole, Double Throw (DPDT) is equivalent to
two(2) SPST switches but it is neither normally closed nor
normally open.
• Push button is another type of hand actuated switch, like
SPST, it is either a normally closed or normally open
switch.
• Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT) is a simple break-
before-make changeover switch. Four Pole, Double Throw
(4PDT) is similar to four (4) SPDT switches.
10. Connectors

• An electrical connector, is an
electro-mechanical device used to join
electrical terminations and create an
electrical circuit.
• Electrical connectors consist of plugs
(male-ended) and jacks (female-ended).
The connection may be temporary, as for
portable equipment, require a tool for
assembly and removal, or serve as a
permanent electrical joint between two
wires or devices.
• An adapter can be used to effectively
bring together dissimilar connectors.
Schematic diagrams are the roadmaps for building and
understanding electronic circuits.

Once you're fluent in this language, you'll be able to

decipher the intricacies of circuits and bring your electronic
creations to life!
•
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