Skip to content

Circuit Symbol Flashcards

Run the Circuit Symbol Flashcards Fullscreen

About This MicroSim

This interactive flashcard trainer helps students learn to identify common circuit schematic symbols used in electrical engineering. The MicroSim features 16 essential symbols organized into four categories: Passive components, Sources, Connections, and Active components.

Features

  • 16 Circuit Symbols: Resistor (US and EU styles), capacitor, polarized capacitor, inductor, DC/AC voltage sources, current source, dependent sources, ground symbols, wire crossings/junctions, switch, and op-amp
  • Three Learning Modes:
  • Learn (default): Symbol displayed with name underneath - click card for description
  • Flip: Classic flashcard - see symbol, flip to reveal name and description
  • Quiz: Self-assessment with score tracking
  • Category Filter: Focus on specific symbol types (Passive, Sources, Connections, Active)
  • Shuffle Function: Randomize card order for varied practice
  • Keyboard Navigation: Use arrow keys to navigate and spacebar to flip/show description

How to Use

  1. Learn Mode (default): Browse symbols with names displayed. Click card to see description.
  2. Flip Mode: View symbol, then flip to reveal name and description.
  3. Quiz Mode: Test yourself - identify symbols before revealing answers. Score is tracked.
  4. Change Mode: Click the mode button to cycle through Learn → Flip → Quiz
  5. Category Filter: Click the category selector to focus on specific symbol types
  6. Navigation: Use Prev/Next buttons or arrow keys to move between cards

Embedding This MicroSim

You can include this MicroSim on your website using the following iframe:

1
2
3
4
5
<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/circuits/sims/circuit-symbol-flashcards/main.html"
        height="482px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no">
</iframe>

Symbols Included

Passive Components

Symbol Description
Resistor (US) Zigzag pattern - opposes current flow
Resistor (EU) Rectangle - IEC standard symbol
Capacitor Two parallel plates - stores charge
Polarized Capacitor Curved plate indicates negative terminal
Inductor Coiled wire - stores energy in magnetic field
Switch (SPST) Opens and closes circuit path

Sources

Symbol Description
DC Voltage Source Long/short lines - provides constant voltage
AC Voltage Source Circle with sine wave - alternating voltage
Current Source Circle with arrow - provides constant current
Dependent Voltage Source Diamond shape - voltage controlled by circuit variable
Dependent Current Source Diamond with arrow - current controlled by circuit variable

Connections

Symbol Description
Earth Ground Three decreasing lines - safety/power ground
Signal Ground Triangle - circuit reference point
Wire Crossing Wires cross but don't connect
Wire Junction Dot indicates electrical connection

Active Components

Symbol Description
Operational Amplifier Triangle with +/- inputs

Lesson Plan

Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

  1. Remember (L1): Recall the names of common circuit schematic symbols
  2. Remember (L1): Identify circuit components by their schematic symbols
  3. Understand (L2): Explain the basic function of each component type

Suggested Activities

Individual Practice (10-15 minutes)

  1. Start in Learn Mode (default) to browse all 16 symbols with names displayed
  2. Click each card to read the description explaining each symbol's function
  3. Use the category filter to focus on one category at a time

Practice Recall (5-10 minutes)

  1. Switch to Flip Mode by clicking the mode button
  2. Try to recall the name before flipping each card
  3. Use Shuffle to randomize the order

Self-Assessment (5-10 minutes)

  1. Switch to Quiz Mode for score tracking
  2. Shuffle the cards
  3. Try to identify each symbol before flipping
  4. Track your score and repeat until achieving 100%

Classroom Challenge

  1. Students compete to correctly identify the most symbols
  2. Teacher displays symbols; first student to correctly name it scores a point
  3. Discuss the function of each component as it appears

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of electrical circuits
  • Familiarity with voltage, current, and resistance concepts

Assessment

Students should be able to correctly identify all 16 symbols with at least 90% accuracy before moving on to circuit analysis topics.

References