Year 6 · Science

Circuit diagrams and standard symbols

How do you draw and read a circuit diagram?

Standard circuit symbols make electrical diagrams quick to read and compare. A cell supplies energy; lines show wires; a lamp, buzzer or motor is the component using the energy; and a switch opens or closes the circuit. Join symbols with straight lines and include every connection needed for one complete loop.

Common circuit symbols and what they show
Component	What its symbol means	Diagram check
Cell	Supplies energy to the circuit	Show one long line and one short line
Wire	Connects components	Use straight lines that form a complete path
Lamp	Transfers electrical energy to light and heat	Use a circle with a cross inside
Switch	Opens or closes the circuit	Show clearly whether the contacts meet
Buzzer or motor	Transfers electrical energy to sound or movement	Use the correct labelled component symbol

Keep practising: Use the Year 6 Science checklist

Year 6 learners practise electrical circuit symbols and how to draw circuit diagrams.

The activities include Develop Understanding of the Vocabulary of Electrical Circuits, Explore Electrical Circuits and Symbols, Identify the Symbols for Electrical Circuits, and related practice. The checked support below includes video, practice, lesson, teaching. Open a resource in its provider's website and choose the format that best helps the learner explain the idea independently.

Activities covered

Develop Understanding of the Vocabulary of Electrical Circuits
Explore Electrical Circuits and Symbols
Identify the Symbols for Electrical Circuits
Investigate Electrical Symbols and Circuits
Know About Electrical Circuits and Their Symbols
Know the Vocabulary of Electrical Circuit Symbols
Learn About Circuit Diagrams
Learn About Circuits and Electrical Vocabulary
Recognise Symbols in an Electrical Circuit
Understand Electrical Circuit Symbols
Understand Electrical Vocabulary
Understand How a Fan Works
Use the Vocabulary for Electrical Circuits

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