# Recording voltmeter

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/recording-voltmeter
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: V
Drawing use: SLD, Schematic
Reference families: IEC

Recording instrument that keeps a time record of voltage, drawn as a square marked V.

## In plain English

### What does Recording voltmeter mean?

A recording voltmeter stores voltage against time so that sags, swells and slow variations can be reviewed later. On single-line diagrams it is drawn off a VT secondary at a busbar or supply point, and on schematics it is wired across the VT circuit like an indicating voltmeter.

### A simple example

The symbol does not say how fast the recorder samples. A slow recorder logging averages every few minutes cannot show short dips, so the recording interval must be checked against what the record will be used to investigate.

### What the drawings help you do

Identify the VT feeding the recorder. Check the recording interval against the events of interest. A recording voltmeter stores a time record; an ordinary voltmeter shows only the present voltage.

### This particular reference

Recording instrument that keeps a time record of voltage, drawn as a square marked V. A recording voltmeter stores a time record; an ordinary voltmeter shows only the present voltage.

### Terms

- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Rating: A value stating the conditions for which equipment is specified.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

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.

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/)


## What it represents

A recording voltmeter stores voltage against time so that sags, swells and slow variations can be reviewed later. On single-line diagrams it is drawn off a VT secondary at a busbar or supply point, and on schematics it is wired across the VT circuit like an indicating voltmeter.
The symbol does not say how fast the recorder samples. A slow recorder logging averages every few minutes cannot show short dips, so the recording interval must be checked against what the record will be used to investigate.

## How to read it

- Identify the VT feeding the recorder.
- Check the recording interval against the events of interest.

## Information to show or reference

- Show VT ratio
- State recording interval
- Reference data retrieval

## Important distinction

A recording voltmeter stores a time record; an ordinary voltmeter shows only the present voltage.

## Facts

- Recorded quantity: Voltage
- Shape convention: Square recording form
- Preview: Independent educational concept; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC graphical symbols for diagrams](https://tc3.iec.ch/tc-activity/graphical-symbols-for-diagrams/) — IEC. IEC context for graphical symbols used in diagrams; no IEC graphic is reproduced.

## 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.