How Does
How Does a Wiring Diagram Work?
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By eHow Contributing Writer
Circuit Symbols
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Common circuit symbols
A wiring diagram uses certain pictures to show different parts. For example, a resistor will always look like a sawtooth line, and a diode has a picture that looks sort of like an arrow. Different wiring diagrams may use slightly different pictures, but a particular diagram will use the same conventions all the way through.
Connections
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If two components are connected together, the circuit diagram shows a line joining the two. A typical circuit can have hundreds of connections between components. Sometimes, two wires will connect to each other. Other times, lines will cross each other that are not connected. In most circuit diagrams, if two wires connect to each other, there is a dot at the point where they cross. If there is no dot, they cross each other but do not connect.
Details
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A circuit may have thousands of resistors, transistors, capacitors and other components, each with a different value. To keep all of these components straight, a wiring diagram will usually use a key. Every component has a number and letter printed next to it on the diagram. The resistors will be labeled R1, R2, R2 and so on. The key will list the value of each component on a separate sheet of paper or on the edge of the wiring diagram. This makes it easy to check the values of components, and makes the wiring diagram look less cluttered.
eHow Article: How Does a Wiring Diagram Work?
