How To Read PCB Schematics

This is a guide on how to read PCB schematics.

A PCB schematic is a circuit diagram designers use in the first stage of the board design process.

And the core components of these schematic diagrams are unique circuit symbols that all designers globally can understand.

So knowing these schematics is paramount. And we will look at how to read PCB schematics in this article to get you started. Take a look!

How To Read Circuit Board Schematics?

To read this circuit board diagram, you need to know these four things.

Reference Designator

The REFDES states the name or reference for each component, showing its location on the PCB. It usually consists of one or two letters followed by a number.

Component Symbol

Component symbols are the most conspicuous parts of PCB schematic diagrams. The industry-standard shapes indicate the structures that form the circuit.

Network

The network is the wiring or electrical connections between components.

Output

Outputs primarily include netlists and a Bill of Materials, which match the REFDES.

Schematic Symbols for Electronic Components

The most typical symbols include:

Resistors

Almost all circuit boards have resistors because they are critical passive components for restricting electrical current flow.

The component’s symbol can either be a zigzag line (US) or a rectangle with leads on two sides (international standard).

There are also variable resistors that increase or decrease the resistance to electrical current flow depending on external input.

They include analog resistance sensors like thermistors, potentiometers, and photoresistors.

Photoresistor

Also known as an LDR (Light Dependent Resistor), a photoresistor relies on varying light levels to provide the external input. So it is an optoelectronic device and has a different circuit symbol.

Potentiometer

Potentiometers are 3-terminal variable resistors that use rotating/sliding contacts to adjust a voltage divider, which alters the resistance.

So instead of sensing signals like light automatically, a potentiometer needs manual input.

Its circuit symbol has an arrow to indicate the wiper where the output voltage or signal gets derived.

Capacitors

Capacitors are also passive components, but their purpose is to store electrical charge. They come in two types.

Polarized

Non-Polarized

Non-polarized capacitors have lower capacitance values than their polarized counterparts.

But the most significant difference is that this type has no positive or negative ends. So you can connect it in any orientation in the circuit.

Inductor

Inductors are coils wound around core materials to generate a magnetic field when electrical current flows through them. And they come in two types.

But magnetic-core inductors have magnetic cores (iron) to enhance their inductance performance.

Their symbol resembles the air-core inductor but has two parallel lines next to the squiggly line.

Diode

Diodes are active electronic components that permit electrical current to flow in only one direction.

So they have positive leads (anodes) and negative terminals (cathodes). The former is the end with a flat triangle edge on the symbol.

But the component comes in several types.

LED

Light Emitting Diodes are optoelectronic devices that emit light when electrical current flows through them in one direction.

Zener

Zener diodes allow current to flow either in a forward or reverse bias. The condition for switching current flow is when the voltage across the terminals exceeds a specified threshold.

Schottky

This component is a low-voltage diode that switches faster than the regular diode.

Power Sources

An electrical circuit needs an electrical current to flow through the components, which must come from a power source. It can be either of the following.

DC

DC voltage power sources supply electrical energy that flows in one direction. The circuit symbol for DC power is usually a circle that encloses positive and negative voltage signs (+ and -).

AC

Single-Cell Battery

Batteries supply direct current. So the power source has polarized terminals.

The component’s circuit symbol consists of two parallel lines. And the longer one is the positive terminal.

Multi-Cell Batteries

Multi-cell batteries combine several single-cell units connected in series. So the circuit symbol usually consists of four parallel lines that alternate between long and short.

Transistors

Transistors are vital active circuit components that enable the creation of digital logic gates in modern electronic devices.

Their purpose is to either switch or amplify electrical signals.

And they do these functions using semiconductor materials with three terminals minimum.

Most are BJTs (Bipolar Junction Transistors) with these three terminals: base, collector, and emitter. The typical BJT types include:

• - NPN Transistor: A negative-positive-negative transistor with an arrow pointing from the middle to the emitter terminal.
• PNP Transistor: A positive-negative-positive transistor with an arrow pointing from the emitter to the middle connection.

MOSFETs are also typical 3-terminal transistors. But their terminals are different (gate, drain, and source). Also, the connections inside the circle have different shapes.

Instead of the “triangular-like” BJTs, MOSFETs have a horizontal T connecting to the gate terminal. And the drain-source connection is via lines joined at 90° angles.

Terminals

Terminals are external circuit connection points with empty circles as their circuit symbols. In contrast, junctions or nodes have solid rings.

Switches

Switches link or break circuit connections, but some can change the electrical current flow path. They include:

SPST

Single-Pole, Single-Throw switches are simple on/off, 2-terminal switches.

SPDT

SPDT stands for Single-Pole, Double-Throw. So it has one input and two output terminals, and the input can only connect to one output terminal at a time.

This connection enables you to change states or current flow in a circuit.

DPST

Double-Pole, Single-Throw switches are equivalent to two SPST switches controlled by a shared mechanism. So the symbol resembles two SPST switches.

DPDT

Double-Pole, Double-Throw switches are equivalent to two SPDT switches controlled by a shared mechanism. Therefore, the circuit symbol resembles two SPDT switches.

Momentary

Momentary switches change between closed and open states after being pressed, and the most typical type is the push button.

Integrated Circuit

Circuit boards are compact circuits, but integrated circuits take the compactness to a new level.

Depending on the IC, it can pack hundreds, thousands, or millions of components (transistors, capacitors, and resistors) in tiny packages.

So you can have several integrated circuits in a PCB, including:

• - Audio amplifiers
• Oscillators/timers
• Operational amplifiers
• Flip-flops
• Dual operational amplifier

Transformer

Air-Core Transformer

The symbol for these transformers consists of two squiggly lines opposite each other. They are ideal for transferring RF currents between circuits but have massive flux losses.

Iron Core Transformer

Iron-core transformers enhance the air-core transformer design by reducing flux losses into the air. So more electrical energy gets transferred to the secondary coil.

The component has two parallel lines between the squiggly lines.

Multi-Winding Transformer

Instead of having one continuous wire winding, these transformers can have two or more. The circuit symbol will have gaps between the squiggly lines to show they are separate.

Center-Tapped Transformer

These transformers have two connected secondary windings. So they share the connections, but each one outputs a different voltage.

The circuit symbol resembles an iron-core transformer but has a center tap-line on the secondary winding.

Current Transformer

Electrical current transformers output alternating current from the secondary coil proportional to the primary winding current.

The component’s function is to lower high-voltage currents for protection/monitoring purposes.

Relay

Relays are electromagnets used to operate switches electrically. The electromagnet connects to an actuator that closes or opens the relay depending on the current applied to the coil.

Speaker

Speakers convert electrical pulses or signals into sound energy using a magnetic core and moving coil attached to a cone.

The component’s schematic symbol resembles a physical speaker.

Fuse

Current spikes can damage a circuit’s physical components, so it is necessary to have a safety mechanism.

Fuses provide overcurrent protection using a thin wire that heats, melts, and creates a discontinuity if there is excessive current.

Microphone

Microphones are transducers that convert sound waves into electrical pulses.

Motor

But some, such as stepper and three-phase motors, have multiple terminals. So you must be careful when wiring these devices to switch the rotational direction.

Antenna

Antennas are electronic devices that transmit or receive radio signals.

Non-Component Schematic Symbols

Some schematic symbols don’t represent any electronic components. Instead, they indicate the presence of physical structures built into the PCB. They include the following.

Grounds

Grounds are current return paths in circuits and are negative signal connections. They come in the following types.

Earth Ground

Common Signal Ground

Chassis Ground

Test Points

As the name suggests, test points are exposed copper pads on the board used to test PCB functions.

Logic Gates

Logic gates are functions, not PCB components. Transistors usually provide these functions by manipulating voltages to produce logic highs and lows (ones and zeros).

They include the following.

- AND

• - NAND
• OR
• NOR
• NOT
• XOR
• XNOR

Wires and Connections

The components, non-components, and logic gates need electrical connections between them. These links require wires or PCB traces, which have the following representations in circuits at intersections.

• - Physical connection (node or dot)
• No link (no node/dot)

Alternatively, you can place a tiny semi-circle above the intersection to show the wires have no electrical connection.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, PCB schematics are critical starting points for modeling circuits, so designers need to understand what the symbols mean.

And we hope this article will get you up to speed with the meaning of these schematic symbols. But in case we left something out, contact us. We’ll be happy to receive and act on your feedback. Ready to turn your schematic into reality? Check out our PCB manufacturing and prototype services.