📖 Circuit Symbols Glossary

Engineers draw circuits with simple symbols instead of pictures. It's like a secret code that every engineer in the world understands! Practise with the printable matching sheet.

Battery

Stores energy and pushes electricity. The long line is +.

Wire

A path for electricity to travel along.

Switch (open)

Opens or closes the loop: on or off.

Lamp / bulb

Turns electricity into light (and some heat).

Resistor

Slows down the current to protect other parts.

LED

A light that only works one way round. Arrows = light coming out!

Buzzer

Makes a sound when current flows.

Motor

Turns electricity into spinning motion.

Ground

The 0-volt "home base" of a circuit.

Capacitor

Stores a tiny bit of charge for a short time, like a mini bucket.