How To Read A Wiring Diagram For Controls

Wiring Diagram

Wiring diagram example

What is a Wiring Diagram?

A wiring diagram is a simple visual representation of the physical connections and concrete layout of an electrical system or circuit. It shows how the electrical wires are interconnected and tin can besides show where fixtures and components may be connected to the system.

When and How to Utilise a Wiring Diagram

Use wiring diagrams to help in building or manufacturing the circuit or electronic device. They are besides useful for making repairs.

DIY enthusiasts use wiring diagrams only they are also common in dwelling building and machine repair.

For example, a dwelling builder will want to ostend the physical location of electrical outlets and lite fixtures using a wiring diagram to avoid costly mistakes and building lawmaking violations.

How to Depict a Circuit Diagram

SmartDraw comes with pre-made wiring diagram templates. Customize hundreds of electrical symbols and chop-chop drop them into your wiring diagram. Special control handles around each symbol let you lot to apace resize or rotate them as necessary.

To draw a wire, simply click on the Depict Lines option on the left hand side of the drawing area. If you right click on a line, you tin modify the line'southward colour or thickness and add or remove arrowheads equally necessary. Drag a symbol onto the line and it will insert itself and snap into place. Once continued, information technology will remain connected even if you move the wire.

If yous need additional symbols, click the arrow next to the visible library to bring up a drop down menu and select More than. You'll be able to search for boosted symbols and open up any relevant libraries.

Click on Fix Line Hops in the SmartPanel to show or hide line hops at crossover points. Yous can also change the size and shape of your line hops. Select Evidence Dimensions to show the length of your wires or size of your component.

Click here to read SmartDraw's consummate tutorial on how to draw circuit diagrams and other electrical diagrams.

How is a Wiring Diagram Dissimilar from a Schematic?

A schematic shows the plan and function for an electrical circuit, but is not concerned with the physical layout of the wires. Wiring diagrams prove how the wires are connected and where they should located in the bodily device, as well equally the physical connections between all the components.

How is a Wiring Diagram Different from a Pictorial Diagram?

Unlike a pictorial diagram, a wiring diagram uses abstract or simplified shapes and lines to show components. Pictorial diagrams are often photos with labels or highly-detailed drawings of the concrete components.

Standard Wiring Diagram Symbols

Well-nigh symbols used on a wiring diagram look like abstract versions of the real objects they represent. For example, a switch will be a break in the line with a line at an bending to the wire, much similar a light switch you can flip on and off. A resistor will be represented with a series of squiggles symbolizing the brake of current flow. An antenna is a straight line with 3 pocket-size lines branching off at its end, much like a real antenna.

Wiring diagram symbols

Wire, conducts current
Fuse, disconnect when current exceeds a certain amount
Capacitor, used to store electric charge
Toggle Switch, stops the flow of electric current when open
Push Switch, momentarily allows current flow when button is pushed in, breaks current when released
Battery, stores electric charge and generates a constant voltage
Resistor, restricts current menstruation
Ground wire, used for protection
Circuit breaker, used to protect a circuit from an overload of electric current
Inductor, a coil that generates a magnetic field
Antenna, transmits and receives radio waves
Surge protector, used to protect a circuit from a spike in voltage
Lamp, generates calorie-free when current flows through
Diode, allows current to catamenia in one direction indicated by an arrowhead or triangle on the wire
Microphone, converts sound into electric signal
Electrical motor
Transformer, changes AC voltage from high to low or vice versa
Headphone
Thermostat
Electrical outlet
Junction box

Wiring Diagram Examples

The all-time way to understand wiring diagrams is to look at some examples of wiring diagrams.

Click on whatever of these wiring diagrams included in SmartDraw and edit them:

Browse SmartDraw'due south unabridged collection of wiring diagram examples and templates