ELECTRICALResources / Electrical symbolsUpdated 29 Oct 2026

Lamp, motor, meter and wiring symbols

The things a circuit drives and measures, and the conventions for wires: lamps, motors and generators, ammeters and voltmeters, junctions, crossings and terminals.

SymbolANSI / IEEEIEC 60617What it is

LampS00965A lamp or indicator light.

MotorAn electric motor: a circle with the letter M.

GeneratorA generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy: a circle with the letter G.

AmmeterAn ammeter measures current.

VoltmeterA voltmeter measures voltage.

Wire junctionA dot where wires meet means they are connected.

Wires crossingTwo wires that cross without a dot are not connected.

TerminalA terminal where a wire is connected, such as a screw terminal or a terminal block point.

Loads, meters and wiring: ANSI and IEC

A dot at a crossing means the wires are connected; no dot means they cross without connecting. Some older US drawings show a small hop where wires cross, to make the point unmistakable.

Frequently asked questions

Which loads, meters and wiring appear on a electrical schematic?

This legend covers lamp, motor, generator, ammeter, voltmeter, wire junction, wires crossing, terminal. Project legends may add more.

Are these symbols different in IEC and ANSI?

2 of the 8 are drawn differently. Each symbol page shows both forms side by side.

Can I download these symbols?

Yes. Each symbol page has free SVG files, and the hub has printable PDF charts.

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Loads, meters and wiring: ANSI and IEC

Frequently asked questions

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