What do schematic diagrams use to represent electrical connections?

Schematic diagrams use symbols to represent electrical connections and components within a circuit. These symbols are standardized representations recognized universally, allowing for clear communication among engineers, technicians, and electricians. This use of symbols simplifies complex circuits, making it easier to understand the relationships between different elements without the need for detailed visual representation that photographs would require.

While labels can provide useful descriptions of circuit elements or operations, they do not replace the necessity of symbols in conveying functional information. Colored diagrams may help in visual identification or aesthetics but do not follow the conventional practice of using recognized symbols to represent electrical connections. Photographs, while informative, do not show the functional relationships or the schematic layout of the circuit effectively. Thus, symbols are the fundamental building blocks of schematic diagrams, providing clarity and uniformity.