Symbols · Coil

Relay coil

The operating element associated with a relay and its separately drawn contacts.

Schematic · CoilRelay coil: original educational illustration
Original educational illustrationNot to scale · See source and graphic notes

What it represents

A relay coil represents an operating element that changes the state of associated contacts when the device operates. Coil and contact representations are often drawn in different locations to make the circuit easier to read. Their shared identifier and cross-references establish the relationship.

The coil representation does not determine whether its supply is AC or DC, its voltage, polarity, suppression or operating duty. Those details belong to the device specification and schematic annotations. Latching and other special operating modes need explicit identification.

How to read it

  • Find the device tag and follow references to its contacts.
  • Read supply and polarity information from the specified coil, not from an unqualified rectangle.

Information to show or reference

  • Reference coil supply requirements.
  • Identify suppression or polarity features if fitted.
  • Cross-reference all associated contacts.

A distinction that matters

A relay coil is not a contactor power pole. Similar operating-element marks can represent equipment with different switching duties.

Sources you can follow

These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.

Relays and contacts: public symbol reference

Public relay-coil, latching and polarized variants.

Autodesk · Public reference checked 13 October 2026 · Link only

About this graphic

This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.

SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.

Entry JSON · Entry Markdown · Last editorial update: 13 October 2026

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