Motor symbol

A circle containing the letter M, marking an electric motor.

Also known as: Circle with an M, Electric motor symbol, M in a circle

Engineering & technicalScientificQuiet profile

Meanings

A circle with an M inside marks an electric motor. It belongs to a family of lettered circles used across schematics — G for generator, V for voltmeter, A for ammeter — in which the circle means a machine or instrument and the letter says which.

Common modern usageVerified fact
Marks an electric motor: a machine converting electrical energy into rotary mechanical motion.
Contexts: Electrical equipment
Common modern usageVerified fact
Belongs to a convention of lettered circles in which the circle denotes a rotating machine or an instrument and the enclosed letter identifies which — M for motor, G for generator, V for voltmeter, A for ammeter.
Contexts: Electrical equipment
Common modern usageVerified fact
Is drawn identically to the generator symbol but for the letter, which reflects the underlying physics: many machines will run as either, depending on whether they are driven electrically or mechanically.
Contexts: Electrical equipment

Visual description

A plain circle with a capital letter M standing upright at its centre.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

Sources

Electric motor
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.
Electronic symbol
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.
Circuit diagram
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31

Part of

Circuit and schematic symbols

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Meanings

Common modern usageVerified fact

Marks an electric motor: a machine converting electrical energy into rotary mechanical motion.

Contexts: Electrical equipment

Common modern usageVerified fact

Belongs to a convention of lettered circles in which the circle denotes a rotating machine or an instrument and the enclosed letter identifies which — M for motor, G for generator, V for voltmeter, A for ammeter.

Contexts: Electrical equipment

Common modern usageVerified fact

Is drawn identically to the generator symbol but for the letter, which reflects the underlying physics: many machines will run as either, depending on whether they are driven electrically or mechanically.

Contexts: Electrical equipment

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

Sources

Electric motor
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.
Electronic symbol
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.
Circuit diagram
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-31
Tertiary reference. Used for what the component is, how its symbol is conventionally drawn, and where the ANSI and IEC conventions differ. Not used for any claim about the text of IEC 60617, which is paywalled and was not consulted.

Last reviewed 2026-07-31