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.
| 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 Explore Electrical Circuit Vocabulary, 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
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- Explore Electrical Circuit Vocabulary — support from Oak National Academy
- Explore Electrical Circuits and Symbols — support from Oak National Academy
- Identify the Symbols for Electrical Circuits — support from Oak National Academy
- Investigate Electrical Symbols and Circuits — support from Oak National Academy
- Know About Electrical Circuits and Their Symbols — support from Oak National Academy
- Know the Vocabulary of Electrical Circuit Symbols — support from Oak National Academy
- Learn About Circuit Diagrams — support from Oak National Academy
- Learn About Circuits and Electrical Vocabulary — support from Oak National Academy
- Recognise Symbols in an Electrical Circuit — support from Oak National Academy
- Understand Electrical Circuit Symbols — support from Oak National Academy
- Understand Electrical Vocabulary — support from Oak National Academy
- Understand How a Fan Works — support from Oak National Academy
- Use the Vocabulary for Electrical Circuits — support from Oak National Academy
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Circuit symbols and diagrams
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Science: Electricity: Circuit Diagrams Year 6 Lesson 2
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Electricity Circuit Symbols Word Mat
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Science: Electricity Year 6 Unit Pack
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Scientific Circuit Symbols Mat
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Circuit symbols and diagrams worksheet and quiz downloads
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Electrical Components and Symbols Matching Game
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Electrical Circuit Symbols PowerPoint Quiz
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Circuit Symbols Worksheet
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Electric Circuits Vocabulary Worksheet
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