How do you learn new skills or techniques for reading and designing electrical schematics?

1 Learn the symbols and conventions

The first step is to familiarize yourself with the common symbols and conventions used in electrical schematics. Symbols represent different types of components, such as switches, resistors, capacitors, relays, sensors, motors, and so on. Conventions are the rules and standards for drawing and labeling schematics, such as how to show wires, connections, voltages, currents, references, and annotations. You can find online resources, books, or courses that explain the symbols and conventions for different types of electrical schematics, such as ladder diagrams, wiring diagrams, block diagrams, and logic diagrams.

2 Practice reading and interpreting schematics

The next step is to practice reading and interpreting schematics of various complexity and application. You can start with simple schematics that show basic circuits and functions, and then move on to more complex schematics that involve multiple components, logic, and control. You can find examples of schematics online, in manuals, or in textbooks. Try to understand the purpose, operation, and behavior of each schematic. You can also use simulation software or tools to test and verify your understanding of the schematics.

3 Design your own schematics

The final step is to design your own schematics for different purposes and scenarios. You can use software or tools that allow you to draw and edit schematics, such as AutoCAD Electrical, EAGLE, or KiCad. You can also use paper and pencil if you prefer. You can design schematics for simple or complex projects, such as a lighting system, a motor control circuit, a PLC program, or a sensor network. You can also challenge yourself by designing schematics that meet certain specifications, requirements, or constraints. You can compare your designs with existing or alternative solutions, and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.

5 Review and revise your schematics

Another way to improve your skills or techniques for reading and designing electrical schematics is to review and revise your own or others' schematics. You can check for errors, inconsistencies, ambiguities, or inefficiencies in the schematics. You can also look for ways to optimize, simplify, or enhance the schematics. You can use tools or methods that help you analyze, debug, or troubleshoot the schematics, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or test equipment. You can also document your schematics with clear and accurate information, such as titles, dates, authors, revisions, descriptions, and notes.