DOE-HDBK-1016/2-93
Electronic Diagrams and Schematics
ELECTRONIC DIAGRAMS, PRINTS, AND SCHEMATICS
Rev. 0
Page 11
PR-04
Figure 11 Bistable Symbols
An item that may cause confusion when reading electronic prints or schematics is the markings
used to show bistable operation. In most cases, bistables will be indicated by a box or circle, as
shown in Figure 11 (A). The lines in or around these bistables not only mark them as bistables,
but also indicate how they function.
Figure 11 (B) shows the various conventions used to indicate bistable operation. Commonly,
one circuit will interface with other circuits, which requires a method that allows the reader to
follow one wire or signal path from the first drawing to the second. This may be done in many
ways, but generally the line or conductor to be continued will end at a terminal board. This
board will be labeled and numbered with the continuation drawing indicated (a separate drawing
may exist for each line). With the next drawing in hand, only the terminal board that matches
the previous number needs to be found to continue. In cases where terminal boards are not
used, the conductor should end with a number (usually a single digit) and also the next drawing
number. To assist in locating the continuation, coordinates are provided on some drawings that
indicate the location of the continuation on the second drawing. The continuation point on the
second drawing will also reference back to the first drawing and the coordinates of the
continuation.
