Switch is a device designed to make or break the current in one or more electric circuits.
Push-button switch is a switch having a single actuator which moves with a single motion when operated by an external, manual force usually applied by the finger or palm of the hand and having stored energy return.
In this article, I have collected a complete list of switches and push-button switches with their symbols and descriptions. All information corresponds to the latest IEC and IEEE/ANSI standards.
See also: electric contacts symbols ►
General
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Limit switch, general Source: IEC 60417-2020 | – |
 | Name: Temperature sensitive switch, make contact Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A1 |
 | Name: Temperature sensitive switch, break contact Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Thermal switch, self-operating, break contact Alternative name: Bimetal break contact Remark: It is important to distinguish between a contact as shown and a contact of a thermal relay. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Gas discharge tube with thermal element Alternative name: Starter for fluorescent lamp Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Multi-position switch Remark: Six positions shown Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Multi-position switch, maximum four positions Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Multi-position switch, with position diagram Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A2 |
 | Name: Switch-disconnector; On-load isolating switch Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Switch-disconnector, automatic release; On-load isolating switch, automatic release Remark: With automatic tripping initiated by a built-in measuring relay or release. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Switch with positive opening Remark: Switch with positive opening operation of the three main break contacts and the auxiliary make contact without positive operation. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Time switch Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Foot switch Alternative name: push button operated by foot Source: IEC 60617-2019, IEEE Std 315-1993 | A3 |
 | Name: Double two-way single pole switch Source: IEC 60617-2019 | – |
 | Name: Combi-switch: two-way single pole and single pole on-off switch Source: IEC 60617-2019 | – |
 | Name: Combi-switch: two-way single pole switch with dimmer Source: IEC 60617-2019 | – |
 | Name: Three pole switch Alternative name: Three phase switch Source: IEC 60617-2019 | A4, A5 |
 | Name: Pull-cord single pole switch Source: IEC 60617-2019 | A4, A6 |
Switches with Two or Three Positions
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Make contact, general symbol; Switch, general symbol. Form 1. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Make contact, general symbol; Switch, general symbol. Form 2. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Break contact Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Change-over break before make contact Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Change-over make before break contact, both ways. Form 1. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Change-over make before break contact, both ways. Form 2. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Change-over contact with off-position Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Contact with two makes Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Contact with two breaks Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
Passing Switches with Two Positions
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Passing make contact when actuated Remark: The contact is closing momentarily when its operating device is actuated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Passing make contact when released Remark: The contact is closing momentarily when its operating device is released. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Passing make contact Remark: The contact is closing momentarily when its operating device is actuated or released. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
Early and Late Operating Switches
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Make contact, early closing Remark: The contact is early to close relative to the other make contacts of a contact assembly. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Make contact, late closing Remark: The contact is late to close relative to the other make contacts of a contact assembly. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Break contact, late opening Remark: The contact is late to open relative to the other break contacts of a contact assembly. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
 | Name: Break contact, early opening Remark: The contact which is early to open relative to the other break contacts of a contact assembly. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | – |
Examples of Switches with Intentional Delay
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Make contact, delayed closing Remark: The closing of the contact is delayed when the device containing the contact is being activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
 | Name: Make contact, delayed opening Remark: The opening of the contact is delayed when the device containing the contact is being de-activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
 | Name: Break contact, delayed opening Remark: The opening of the contact is delayed when the device containing the contact is being activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
 | Name: Break contact, delayed closing Remark: The closing of the contact is delayed when the device containing the contact is being de-activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
 | Name: Make contact, delayed Remark: The contact is delayed both when the device containing the contact is being activated and when it is being de-activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
 | Name: Contact assembly Remark: The contact assembly is shown with one make contact not delayed, one make contact delayed when the device containing the contact is being activated and one break contact delayed when the device containing the contact is being de-activated. Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A7 |
Symbols of Position Switches
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Position switch, make contact Source: IEC 60617-2019 | A8 |
 | Name: Position switch, break contact Source: IEC 60617-2019 | A8 |
 | Name: Position switch assembly Remark: Mechanically operated in both directions with two separate circuits Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A8 |
 | Name: Position switch, break contact, positive operation Alternative name: Limit switch Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A8 |
Symbols of Push-Button Switches
| Symbol | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | Name: Switch, manually operated, general symbol Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A9, A10 |
 | Name: Switch, manually operated, push-button, automatic return Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A9 |
 | Name: Switch, manually operated, pulling, automatic return Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A9 |
 | Name: Switch, manually operated, turning, stay-put Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A10 |
 | Name: Switch, manually operated with positive operation, push-button, automatic return Source: IEC 60617-2019, ANSI/IEEE Std 315A-1986 | A9 |
 | Name: Control switch operated by pushing Source: IEC 60417-2019 | – |
 | Name: Switch, emergency stop Remark: “Mushroom-head” activated, with positive opening operation of the break contact and maintain position. Source: IEC 60417-2019 | A9 |
Application Notes
A1:
The letter THETA may be replaced by the operating temperature conditions.
A2:
It is sometimes convenient to indicate the purpose of each switch position by adding text to the position diagram. It is also possible to indicate limitations of movement of the operating device.
A3:
Graphical symbol , for use in installation diagrams, represents a device (switch) which has a single actuator. See circuit diagram presentation of symbol :
A4:
The mounting methods and/or directions of a device may be specified by the addition of letter codes adjacent to the symbol. IEC 61082-1 (clause 8.3) specifies the following letters:
- H = Horizontal (components mounted side by side)
- V = Vertical
- F = Flush (recessed)
- S = Surface
- B = Floor (bottom)
- T = Ceiling (top)
For the mounting in hidden locations, which may be of relevance for detectors, additional letters may be specified. Such letters shall be explained in the document or in supporting documentation.
A5:
Graphical symbol , for use in installation diagrams, represents a device (switch) which has one actuator for three contacts. See circuit diagram presentation of symbol : 
A6:
Graphical symbol , for use in installation diagrams, represents a device (switch) which has a single actuator. See circuit diagram presentation of symbol :
A7:
See symbols 
and 
. Closing and opening of the contact is delayed with respect to the activation or deactivation operation. The movement is delayed in the direction towards the centre of the arc (“parachute effect”). The symbol for delayed action may be drawn on that side of the contact symbol which is most suitable for the application and for the placing of item designations.
A8:
Where in a set of contacts one or some of them are constructed to have positive opening operation this positivity may concern:
- either the opening of break contact(s) (for example : Position switch and : Emergency stop switch) or the closing of a make contact (for example : Alarm) and
- either all the contacts or only particular contacts (see for example ) but
- not both the opening and the closing of the same contact.
A9:
Devices with “push” or “pull” operation most often have automatic return. It is therefore not necessary to show the automatic return symbol 
. On the other hand, a detent symbol 
shall be shown in those cases where non-return exists.
A10:
Devices operated by turning do not usually have automatic return. It is therefore not necessary for the detent symbol to be shown. On the other hand, the automatic return symbol should be shown in those cases where an automatic return exists.
