Electrical Ground Symbol
Schematic symbol representing an electrical connection to earth ground.
International · c. 1900 – present
Capacitor Symbol
Schematic symbol representing an electrical capacitor in circuit diagrams.
Description
The capacitor is represented in circuit diagrams by two parallel lines (for non-polarized capacitors) or two parallel lines with one curved (for polarized/electrolytic capacitors). The IEC 60617 standard uses two parallel lines of equal length, while polarized capacitors show a curved line for the negative plate. A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. Capacitors are used for energy storage, filtering, timing circuits, and signal coupling/decoupling.
Origin & Cultural Context
Standardized by IEC 60617 and ANSI/IEEE 315. The symbol reflects the physical structure of the device (two conductive plates separated by a dielectric).