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What are these circuit symbols (circled in red) in these diagrams?

Circuit Diagrams

I am studying high school introductory physics, and this image is from a problem on circuitry in my online course. The problem is unrelated to the meaning of these particular symbols, but I am curious and would like to know.

MarkU
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Eudokia
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4 Answers4

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The bottom symbol in B is a fairly common symbol for a motor.

The other one seems to be an uncommon symbol for a generator. This page identifies it as a DC generator:

http://avstop.com/ac/apgeneral/basiccircuit.html

But this page says it's "AC power":

http://www.electronic-symbols.com/electric-electronic-symbols/electric-generator-symbols.htm

Both pages are missing the + and - signs. The presence of + and - signs and the overall context suggest it's meant as a DC generator, or (less likely) a generic voltage source.

Unfortunately, as my links show, there's not a lot of consistency in these kinds of symbols.

Adam Haun
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  • The "AC power" (not "AC generator") symbol in your second link is missing the +/- annotations included in the OP's diagrams. Of course, so is the one in the first link, but it references it with a annotated DC generator. – Samuel Jul 27 '15 at 20:54
  • Thanks for the links to different sources. I'm learning that circuit symbols are rarely consistent! – Eudokia Jul 31 '15 at 03:47
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DC generator (x 4) and DC motor (x 1).

mlp
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Adam Hauns answer is mostly right, but both references say dc generator, ac generators does not have +-, while dc does.

Mikkel Alan Stokkebye Christia
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It appears that the circuits are given as possible answers to a problem. If this is the case, (A) is not a valid answer. If (B) is correct, you have a DC generator and a DC motor connected in series. If (C) is correct, you have a DC generator acting like a DC motor because it is connected to a battery. If (D) is correct, you have a DC generator connected to a lamp, and its current is being measured.

Guill
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  • ??? (A) Generated power heats resistor, (B) Generator drives motor, (C) Generator charges battery, and (D) as stated above. They all work for me :) – EBlake Jul 30 '15 at 22:31