Meter symbols

About these meter symbols

Many technological disciplines need meters as instruments. They let specific characters measure various parameters, such as electricity, pressure, and temperature. Note their symbols when using multimeters, pressure gauges, or flow meters. They are key for safe, accurate measurements.

Meters tend to use icons familiar to all to represent certain operations. For instance, voltage is a symbol used in and out of devices. (V) denotes DC voltage with a straight line or AC voltage with a wave. The omega symbol (Ω) represents resistance. A thermometer indicates temperature.

Some meters require symbols for their specific applications. For example, a flowmeter has an arrow and a wavy line that shows the direction of a liquid or gas and the corresponding flow rate. Likewise, pressure meters utilize a PSI or bar sign of measurement. Knowing these symbols lets users quickly understand results.

Voltage (AC and DC)

The symbol for AC voltage is a wave. It is a common tool for measuring the voltage in AC outlets. The DC voltage symbol is a straight line with the dotted line below it. It is used to measure voltage in batteries and electronic devices.

Current (Amperes)

The current symbol is represented by 'A'. It measures the flow of current in the circuit, in Amperes.

Resistance (Ohms)

The omega symbol (Ω) shows the measure of resistance in ohm. It shows how much a material resists electric current.

Temperature

A thermometer depicts temperature measurement and is usually followed by °C or °F.

Continuity

An arc or a wave represents the continuity symbol, confirming the outline of circuits. It verifies if a circuit path is continuous and provides audible beep feedback in the process.

Frequency (Hertz)

A sine wave or Hz symbol means frequency. It measures the number of full oscillations in a signal per second.

Pressure (PSI/Bar)

A needle or scale icon shows pressure within gas or hydraulic systems, measured in PSI or bar units.

Flow rate

The flow rate symbol is depicted by an arrow with a wave line and is used to estimate the rate of fluids such as water or oxygen.

Capacitance

Two parallel lines symbolize capacitance. It shows the energy stored in a circuit by electric charges.

Duty cycle

A rectangular wave or a % symbol represents the duty cycle. It indicates how long a signal is active in one cycle.

Transistor gain (hFE)

Transistor symbols are usually present in the latest meters. They represent the measure of signal amplification a transistor can do.