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- 1). Learn the power sources first -- these are where the electricity starts. There are basically two power sources: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC comes out of the wall plug and the symbol is a half circuit with two parallel lines running through it. DC comes from batteries, which are symbolized by a series of parallel lines that are alternately longer and shorter. A related symbol is the ground symbol. It is a wire that terminates in a series of approximately five parallel lines that get increasingly shorter.
- 2). Control the flow of electricity with switches and learn to recognize switches in electrical schematics. A switch is represented by a break in a wire with a short line nearby that looks like it could be pushed into the gap to close it. There are many variations on this idea. Switches that switch between two circuits tend to have one end of the short line attached and the wires to the two circuits within reach if the short line is rotated. Push-button switches tend to be short parallel lines that can be pushed into place instead of rotated. Switches are shown in their "normal" position -- which can either open or close the circuit -- and the short line is moved when the switch is activated.
- 3). Memorize the symbols you need to read the schematics you will be using. Schematics for house wiring will look different from schematics for computer circuits, which will be different from audio and television circuits. Typical symbols are the zig-zag symbol for resistors, the short series of loops for coils, solenoids and relays, and two short parallel lines with a gap between them to symbolize a capacitor.
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