Share with:

Understanding Wire Diagrams

That’s Not Trash, It’s Your Wire Diagram!

Wire diagrams can be intimidating at first, but with a basic understanding of the symbols and language used, they become as valuable and as easy-to-use as any tool in your toolbox. Wire diagrams are an important part of accurate appliance troubleshooting and repair!

Elements of a circuit

Circuit Video

1. Power Source

A circuit must have a power source such as electricity supplied by a wall socket, battery, or generator.

2. Conductors

Conductors are usually copper or aluminum wire, and in some cases it can even be the frame on which the components are mounted.

3.Load

The load is the components that do all the work, such as a washer motor, heating element, or light bulb.

4. Control

Controls are devices that control the flow of electricity to the loads. A control is usually some sort of switch that is operated by the user of the appliance, or operated by the appliance itself.

Circuit Types

Series Circuit

The current that flows in a series circuit will pass through every component in the circuit. If any component within the circuit is “open” or “blown,” current will not be able to flow through that circuit.

appliance circuit 3 appliance circuit animation 1

Parallel Circuit

In a parallel circuit, two or more components are connected in parallel; they have the same potential voltage across their ends, and they also have identical polarities. The same voltage is applicable to all circuit components connected in parallel. In a parallel circuit, power can flow around an “open” contact and continue to supply power to other components in the circuit (image on right).

Wire Diagram Symbols

Wiring diagrams are like road maps showing you the direction of current flow. Just as with a road map, you will need to know a few basic symbols so you can figure out where you’re going.
Below is a wiring diagram / schematic of a direct-drive washing machine. Click on the highlighted primary components for a more complete description of what they are and how they work.

Contact:

Wires are connected and electricity is able to flow through this connection.

No Contact:

Many times appliance wire diagrams can become complex. This symbol means that the wires are not connected and no electricity can flow directly
through this point washer wire diagram

Ground or Earth Connection:

appliance ground This connection is very important. It’s usually made with a bare wire attached to the cabinet of an appliance, which is in turn connected to earth within the service panel of your home through a “grounded” plug. This connection serves a safety to protect against electrocution in the case of a short.

Electrical Components:

All electrical circuits must have a load. Loads have many forms and purposes. An electric dryer or stove uses a resistor called a heating element to create heat. A coil is used to automatically open and close valves with a magnetic field. A refrigerator
uses fan motors to circulate air.

A list of component descriptions and diagram symbols can be found on the “electrical components” page.

Wire Colors

Wire diagrams use wire color codes to identify the color of wire being used to connect different electrical components within the circuit. Some wire colors are specific to the wire’s use such as black, white, red, and green, while others are used for component connection and change function from one circuit to another. Most wire diagrams will have a legend or key just like a road map explaining wire color codes or any other special information needed to read the diagram. Below is a list of color codes commonly used in wire diagrams to portray wire color and their purposes.

Wire color	Wire Function
WH=White	Neutral wire carrying current at zero voltage
BK=Black	Hot wire carrying current at full voltage
RD=Red	Hot wire carrying current at full voltage
WH/BL=White with black markings	Hot wire carrying current at full voltage
GR=Green	Grounding pathway
G-Y=Green with yellow markings	Grounding pathway
Bare copper	Grounding pathway
YL=yellow	Multifunctional
BU=Blue	Multifunctional
GR=gray	Multifunctional
YL/BR=yellow with brown markings	Multifunctional
others (use diagram key)	Multifunctional