How to Read a Schematic
How to Read a Schematic
Electronic circuits are presented in schematic form. A schematic is really a map
showing the path the current takes through the various components. Each component is
represented by a symbol, usually with either a label or a value (or both). The arrangement
of the components on paper is chosen to make the function of the circuit clear, and
usually only vaguely resembles the actual construction of the device. The current path is
shown with lines, again drawn for maximum clarity, with little concern for the length or
position of the real wires.
Here are the most common symbols.
There are some general conventions that apply to all schematics.
The layout of a schematic is designed to show the function, usually with signal
progressing from left to right. The actual layout of the circuit will be quite different.
All points on a line are electrically identical. This includes all branches of a line. When
we discuss the properties of circuits, we will assume the wires are perfect conductors,
with no resistance or propagation delays of any kind. In fact, when we talk about real
wire, we will make drawings that show ideal wire with components connected illustrating
various effects.
This symbol is ground. All ground points in the schematic are connected
together. Furthermore, these points represent places in the circuit that are at 0
volts for reference in measurements. Often the ground includes the metal chassis of a
device, but not always.
Labels. Each component should have a label, and there is a standard set of names. For
instance, a resistor is labeled R, and this circuit has 7 of them. Presumably there is a table
somewhere that tells what the values are. There is only one capacitor; instead of calling it
C1, I just listed its value.
Fig.1 A schematic for a simple gadget.
Peter Elsea 10/21/11 1
How to Read a Schematic
The example circuit
The gizmo at the left of figure 1 represents a phone jack. The label implies a guitar will
be connected here. You have to understand that "signal" is not the same as "current". The
current is the flow of electrons, the signal is the flow of information. The current is going
every which way in this circuit, alternating directions in fact. The signal is supposed to
come from the guitar and wind up at the speaker on the far right. The route is complex,
with each component working with others to modify the signal in some manner. (If your
get nothing out of this essay but the fact that it is the combination of components that
modifies the signal, you are ahead of the game.) Let's work our way through :
The symbols at Guitar in represent the parts of a quarter inch jack. Notice that part of the
jack is connected to ground (This is the part that connects to the outer shield of the cable).
Remember that means it is actually connected to all parts of the circuit with the ground
symbol. This is the path the return current takes, in essence flowing back to the guitar.
The part of the current we consider the signal flows from the tip of the plug into the upper
part of the schematic.
Each zig zag line represents a resistor. This is a simple device that has a desired
resistance. These serve to control the proportion of current or signal that follows
each branch of a circuit. Resister 1 establishes the input impedance, or the load
that this device shows to the guitar.
Two lines interrupting the circuit line represent a capacitor. Most of the time
the feature of a capacitor we are most interested in is the ability to block low
frequency signals. In this case, we want to keep any constant voltage (DC)
from the guitar away from the active components, and any DC the active components
may have away from the guitar. The actual frequency that will be blocked depends on the
values of R2 and R1.
The triangle represents a rather complicated integrated circuit called an operational
amplifier. They are complicated to design and make, but pretty simple to use.
The signal is connected to one of the two inputs, and appears at the output. A
connection from the output back to the inverting input (with the minus sign)
controls the amount of gain the op amp will give us. This kind of connection is
called feedback. Simply connecting the output to the inverting input sets the
gain at unity- no change in the signal level. The purpose of the op amp in this
circuit is to reduce the amount of current the guitar must supply
The resistor with an arrow in the middle is a variable resistor or potentiometer.
This is the thing that most control knobs are attached to. If you conceive of the
arrow as moving up and down across the resistance, you can visualize a varying
proportion of the current being drawn off, or the voltage at the arrow changing.
The configuration shown is a typical volume control.
Peter Elsea 10/21/11 2
How to Read a Schematic
Adding resistors to the feedback of an opamp gives gains other
than unity. In this case, the ratio of R4 to R5 sets the gain. U2
provides the muscle in this circuit, providing power to drive the
speaker. The last resistor, R7, protects the speaker from too
much current. It also protects the op amp, which may be cooked
if it is asked to provide too much.
Not shown in this diagram are connections that supply power to
the op amps. These are often left out of the schematics because
their function is understood, and they would tend to clutter
things up. If I add them in, figure 2. is the result:
Figure 2. Circuit with power connections.
To keep the power supply connections distinct from the signal connections, I have used
the solid arrows to indicate power busses (a buss is a wire or trace that connects to
several places in a circuit.). All of the upward pointing arrows are connected together,
and all of the downward pointing arrows are connected. In complex circuits you will see
a lot of this trick, often with numbered or lettered connections.
Peter Elsea 10/21/11 3
How to Read a Schematic
Common
Symbols
Used
in
Electronic
Schematics
Resistor
Variable resistor
Capacitor
Capacitor
Inductor or Coil
Circuit Ground or Earth
Chassis ground or Earth
AC signal or power source
Battery
Fuse
Lamp
Transformer
Diode
NPN Transistor
PNP Transistor
This is not an exhaustive coverage of all schematic symbols. You will see these in
separate essays about various topics. Most circuits include complex integrated circuits
(ICs) these are represented as rectangles, with all pins labeled.
Peter Elsea 10/21/11 4
