# ANSI/IEEE battery symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-battery
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: BT
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEEE / ANSI

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEEE / ANSI
Form: IEEE-style multi-cell battery with omitted-cell gap
Form described from IEEE/ANSI 315 drawing practice as publicly summarised; no certified reproduction of the standard graphic is asserted.
Related representation: [Battery](https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/battery)

IEEE-style multi-cell battery drawn as alternating long and short plates, with polarity marked, for American drawing sets.

## In plain English

### What does ANSI/IEEE battery mean?

In IEEE-style drawing sets a battery is drawn as alternating long and short lines, the long line being positive, with either several plate pairs or two pairs separated by a dashed line to show that cells are omitted. The device designation is commonly BT or B rather than the IEC letter G.

### A simple example

The form appears on station DC schematics, control power drawings and microgrid single-line diagrams in North American projects. This is a convention-specific lookup; the geometry here is independently drawn to explain the connection, and is not a certified reproduction of the standard graphic.

### What the drawings help you do

The longer line marks the positive terminal. A dashed gap means additional cells not drawn. The IEEE convention uses BT or B as the device letter; the IEC convention uses G for the same battery concept.

### This particular reference

IEEE-style multi-cell battery drawn as alternating long and short plates, with polarity marked, for American drawing sets. The IEEE convention uses BT or B as the device letter; the IEC convention uses G for the same battery concept.

### Terms

- DC: Direct current: electricity flowing in one direction.
- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Rating: A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/)
- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-34282BFD-7B8E-48F3-A6ED-93ADBDDDFBD3.htm)


## What it represents

In IEEE-style drawing sets a battery is drawn as alternating long and short lines, the long line being positive, with either several plate pairs or two pairs separated by a dashed line to show that cells are omitted. The device designation is commonly BT or B rather than the IEC letter G.
The form appears on station DC schematics, control power drawings and microgrid single-line diagrams in North American projects. This is a convention-specific lookup; the geometry here is independently drawn to explain the connection, and is not a certified reproduction of the standard graphic.

## How to read it

- The longer line marks the positive terminal.
- A dashed gap means additional cells not drawn.

## Information to show or reference

- State nominal voltage and ampere-hour capacity.
- Mark polarity.
- Cross-reference the battery charger and DC distribution.

## Important distinction

The IEEE convention uses BT or B as the device letter; the IEC convention uses G for the same battery concept.

## Facts

- Device letter: BT or B in IEEE-style sets
- Standards context: IEEE/ANSI 315-1975 covers diagram graphics. IEEE lists this edition as Inactive-Reserved.
- Artwork scope: Original functional illustration; exact standard glyph and compliance are not certified

## Public references

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/) — IEEE Standards Association. IEEE/ANSI graphic-symbol standard status and context; not a source of reproduced artwork.
- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Miscellaneous](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-34282BFD-7B8E-48F3-A6ED-93ADBDDDFBD3.htm) — Autodesk. Public IEEE-oriented miscellaneous symbol preview page used for convention context.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.