IEC Symbols for Isolators, Fuses, Contactors, Overloads

What Are IEC Symbols?

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) symbols, also known as IEC 60617 (British Standard BS 3939), are an international, standardised system used to represent various devices, including pilot lights, relays, timers, and switches for usage in electrical schematic diagrams.

Why Are Standardized IEC Symbols?

The IEC standardizes symbols for electronic equipment and electrical components to ensure that circuit diagrams can be read and recognized in many different countries. With the mass production of many devices around the world, having a uniform design for all schematics ensures that engineers and manufacturers are working to the same standards. It's also necessary to devise, standardize, and introduce new symbols for the more advanced technology that is now in circulation.

IEC Symbols for Isolators

This symbol represents a circuit breaker that provides disconnection and isolation for the installation downstream. These devices are designed to 'open up' when a certain threshold is reached (e.g., temperature, current, voltage, etc.), cutting off the electrical flow and preventing overcurrents, short circuits, or other electrical faults.

IEC Symbols for Fuses

Fuses represent a generic fuse in any electrical circuit. A fuse is used for the protection of any electronic device from an overload or overcurrent. This is achieved by a small metal strip or wire that melts when exposed to a high current/voltage, opening the circuit and blocking the flow of faulty currents.

IEC Symbols for Contactors

A contactor is an electrical device used to switch an electrical circuit on or off. While similar in function to a relay, a contactor is primarily used in electronics with a high current carrying capacity, while a relay is used for those with a lower carrying capacity. As such, contactors are commonly utilized to control electric motors due to their high current load.

IEC Symbols for Overloads

An overload switch or relay is a device that prevents electrical equipment from overheating and getting damaged due to excessive current, ensuring longer equipment life. When the device detects a current/voltage above the threshold, it will 'open up', cutting the electrical flow and preventing an overcurrent.

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Manually drawing and designing IEC symbols for isolators, fuses, contactors, and overloads can be difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, you can skip the hassle entirely with Capital X Panel Designer! This CAD software provides you with an extensive library of pre-made IEC symbols that you can simply drag and drop into your electrical drawing schematic. Best of all, Capital X Panel Designer is easy to use, ensuring that you can quickly update your schematics to match current plan designs.

Learn more about how to generate electrical symbols automatically.