Easy Way To Remember What The I and O Means On A Switch
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Easy way to remember what the I and O means on a switch. Are you trying to figure out why your power switch doesn't simply say on/off? Why do the manufacturers make it impossible to remember which symbol means on or off? Steve gives you the solution.
The I and O are universal symbols for power on and off but that doesn't help you remember on the spot...Different manufacturers have different terms to help you out but Steve has the easy answer.
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I see it as 0 and 1 (ZERO, ONE). You can see switches with O, I, II (ZERO, ONE, TWO) on a typical fan type, which also indicate speed.
Very easy to understand when you think of it that way.
That what it is. If that's not easy enough, the 0 looks a lot like O as in an open circuit, one that has no power flowing through it.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade That is more complex actually and more confusing for some people. An O loops around like a closed circuit, and an I is an open circuit because it doesn't loop around.
Wow. Trust a human to complicate things! Ask any computer what 0 and 1 stand for …
How about O for off? 😂
@@alanriordan Sure, why not? How about O for on? (that's the whole argument right here)
I'm just going to ignore all the pretention in the comments and thank you for the easy-to-remember explanation. I for "ignition" and O for "off." Fantastic!
Well said!
But that would confuse me a little bit because you can always turn off an ignition
It’s binary. It’s machine code. It’s digital. Zero (0) means off, one (1) means on or open.
Thank you Steve.
You beat me to posting about that little "bit" of knowledge. 😉
It's not really even that. Some switches have 3 or more positions and they are labeled 0, I, II, III, etc, etc and it's evident that that's not binary numbering.
I think you meant one (1) means closed-- not open, as you said.
@@killer2600 Comparing an on/off switch with one that has multiple speeds/settings is apples and oranges. Also, just because the latter uses Roman numerals or hash marks doesn't mean that the former isn't a "1" or a closed circuit. Without a citation of the actual IEC standards (IEC 60417-5007 & IEC 60417-5008), all of this is just some light-hearted conjecture.
@@sirrebral HA! Bet some folks don't get the "bit"
I'm a computer programmer so the 1/0 is second nature to me - never have to think about it anymore. It was very eye-opening to see how many people are confused by these symbols (takes me back to my college days when I was first learning this stuff and yes, I remember being confused by it). "I" for Ignition - what a great, simple way to remember! Thanks Steve!
Right on Bill! You're Welcome...
Of course... I for ignition, O for off, soo simple when you dont make up your own riddle to remember them forget which was what n why.
Thanks very much,
Never again shall i second guess such a 'stupid little' Huge influence 🤣
I'm a software developer as well. But, it never dawned on me that this was a binary reference until he said it was universal no matter the language. I always just assumed it was a letter i and o. Mostly I just thought of the "o" as off. LOL Now that I know it is binary, it makes more sense to me.
A switch is hardware, it is not software
for a digital circuit traditionally they are inverting - the input is left floating (open) and the output is 0
when the input is pulled to ground the circuit is active and the output is 1
so a switch with a pullup resistor will be "ON" when the switch is closed = 1
@@kenwittlief255 I think you are talking the same thing. It's all binary! 1 = open/on, 2 = closed/off. But, you are right, binary starts at the hardware level and software is built from it (at it's core).
No more just flipping the switch to see what happens. Thank you. I don't know when they stopped using plain words to tell you the purpose of things, but they did not ask or inform a lot of us, and left us very confused. You have cleared this up with one simple word. Ignition!
You're Welcome...
'Plain words' vary from language to language, as indeed do the symbols (letters or otherwise) to form words. The binary 1/0 is more universally understood throughout the world.
Glad I'm not the only one who was forgetful about the "I" and the "0". I finally made a mental note that the "0" was for open as in in open circuit. I do like the ignition memory tip, though. Thanks.
You're Welcome...
O = Off is the easiest way for me - Makes sense to everyone as well.
I'm glad you brought this up Steve I'm mechanically inclined but that did help clear the switch for me I get confused once in awhile didn't exactly know what to think thanks brother you're the man💪👍
I always had a problem with this. O could be on or off. I remembered it as the line means connected. But ignition is a way easier way to remember this. Thanks Steve. Never had a problem with the rocker switch that automatically goes back to the on position after shutting off. But the older ones didn't
I've got no problem with O or I or on /off as the thing :D however I do have with if pressing it will change it to that state or from that state or which side the rocker switch means selected (up or down).
Yeah, I could see where some might think of the "O" as being ON. I just never thought of it like that. lol
That was my confusion also. So its "O" Is off and "I" is ignition. Just gotta get it straight in my head!!
THANK YOU!! You don’t know the struggle I’ve been having for the last…. Well, forever!
I just wasted 30 minutes trying to figure this out!! You’re a life changer!
Every season it’s the same thing. The mystery of the on/off switch. This video saves me a lot of time digging through the shed while looking for the owners manual. And as an extra benefit by avoiding rummaging through the shed I avoid the annual “you need to clean out the shed” lecture. Wow! Saved again!!
Boycott manufacturers that won't put it in English.
can you remember which end does the dangerous work? duffass
Nice! I learned it was binary (therefore supposedly universal meaning- but still confusing because, well... math) "I" is one, on, circuit complete. "O" is zero, nothing, incomplete circuit. Still confusing as heck. I like your explanation better: ignition, and off.
That's what I learned also. I still not sure if engine or motor is going to start or not. Haha
I always had seen it as numbers myself.
0 being zero chance I am going to start it.
1 being I have 1 chance to start this before I flood it!
@@brettanderson6743 Lol 😂
International Standards Organization. Started by Metric Freaks.
Yup, binary. So easy, all you have to do now is get a degree in computer science.
I believe the I and O is 1 and 0, Binary. 1 is on and 0 is off.
I was about to type that exact same thing LOL
But there are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that understand binary and those that don't.
1 & 0 yes
It’s digital
0 = open circuit
1 = closed circuit
I is ignition..
O is on...got it.
Yes, you are those symbols utilized in Computer Science and Electronic
Lol!! Thank you! I am glad to know I was not the only one struggling with this. This is the most informative 1 minute video ever produced! Thanks again Steve.
Thank You so much. I can remember that. Well at least till next spring. This getting old is tough on my memory.😊
If you put the two symbols on top of each other, you get the computer power button symbol. Yes, they did that on purpose as it denotes a Push On/Push Off function vs discreet On or Off with a rocker switch. Also, these symbols are a 1 and a zero in which a bit is On when it is the value 1, and Off when the value is zero.
I was wondering why every time I pushed the clock button my PC lost power. Thanks.
It's actually binary. Like computer language. It's a one and a zero. I. Computers one is on and zero is off.
@@SuperMutsy in most cases, but not all. I was the tech that worked on ECL circuits as they are active low and some of the other techs just couldn't quite grasp that.
TBH, it took me years to figure that out. I just knew that it was the power button due to the shape and location. As I recall, when I started using computers they just silk screened the word power by the button, or had it indented into the button. The 1/0 icon that's now common came later.
I assume the change was made partially because the computers were being sold in different markets with different languages and partially because computers were getting smaller and the writing was harder to read.
I like this "bit value" explanation the best.
Now watch some clown suggest these symbols predate the Abacus and came from outer space.
I'm a 76yr old retired Australian airline pilot, my father was a telephone technician in the 50's & 60's. He had several diagnostic tools with on/off switches which had these O & I symbols. I was told by my father in the mid 50's that it was the international electrical circuit symbol for open and closed circuit. I'm not sure about the binary code theory as these symbols were in use long before the word 'computer' was ever known by the technician fraternity or the general public. Sorry, but it's hard to accept something being named after a thing that hasn't been invented yet.😁.
Agreed!
Not sure what your point is about computers but binary code theory dates to 1689 which pre-dates telephone systems by a tad.
No that may be right because a closed circuit would be a straight line of conductivity and the circle represents that the circuit is open meaning that current can not flow. It doesn't have anything to do with binary numbers, but rather flow of electricity.
Dad? Dad!!!!
@@lmalino695 ....the guy who jumps in to appear smart despite his lack of attention being the source of the "mistake" he thinks he is correcting.
Thank you, Steve! You certainly helped me. I used to mark the switch with a drop of "Wite-Out". Worked out once or twice, before I forgot if the dot meant ON or OFF!
Now, I'll never forget. Thanks again for making life just that little bit simpler.
Right on buddy! You're Welcome...
I like paint pens and hot glue drops. For this I think I'd paint a thin green line next to the I and maybe a red dot in the 0. Unless red and green are new to you, you don't have to remember anything. And the next time you see these symbols you can't help but remember green - on - stripe, Red off dot. The Ignition, etc... is too binary. Forget the word and you're back to where you were. O for Off is much easier. Does this mean someone is stupid? I've spent my life surrounded by Fixed Mindset people for whom everything that causes me consternation is "Fine. I don't know why you're having a problem." Of course they are perfect at the few things they can do, but they're scared to death of trying anything new. Often when some 'dumb' thing frustrates me, it's a design issue. Maybe I'm a bit slower than most people, a good fix eliminates the problem period. Until I read the comments I hadn't even considered binary. Of course. Now it's obvious. Thanks. (and duh) Next step, will I or someone else remember this?
What annoys me are things that when they're on, the digital button says 'Off,' offering me that choice. But it's not a choice. It's too vague, because sometimes these things say ''Off' when they are off. Or the things that pop up and they look just like the last three waste of time dialogue boxes that popped up. You click X and then realize, wait no that's the one I wanted. Of course there's no way back.
Yahoo used to pull this crap. Want to cancel some subscription you were paying for? Yes? Do you really want to cancel? Yes, Are you sure you no longer want this service? Yes, Are you sure that you are sure? Yes. Do you want to cancel this process? Yes. ... Thank you. Next month you're auto billed again.
The hot glue pips are on my keyboard. On a numerical pad hot glue pips on the odd numbers and you can touch type numbers. We all know blind people can read Braille. I know a very intelligent sighted person who spent two years trying to learn, it was just too subtle. I looked at my keyboard. When was the last time I noticed feeling the pips on F and J? Never. Bigger pips and I always know where the home keys always are. (I always groan with Tim Cook announces 'The all new revolutionary MacBook keyboard" and right behind his head is 'caps lock" (SIC) Keypads needed a better Shift and Enter, and the upper left keys and the punctuation keys. Some people use Caps Lock, but it hasn't needed to be that big since the early 1990s.) Okay rant off.
“O” for “OMG I wanna turn off this stupid computer/thing”
“I” for “I want the lights on”
Got pips & want REAL important letters on your homerow?
Then it’s Dvorak keyboard all the way !!!
😉
It had never crossed my mind that this might be difficult or confusing for some. The symbols are actually the binary numerals "1" and "0" and are used because they are not language dependent, as the use of words (or letters associated with words) would be. Universally, binary "1" represents "On" and binary "0" represents "Off". It's no coincidence that this nomenclature was first popularized on computing equipment. BTW, when the two symbols are superimposed on one another, it means that the same exact action (typically, pressing a single button) toggles the device between on and off states.
I never knew what they ment.
Then there is the similar 1 at the top part of the 0 meaning the switch turns the equipment on or to standby.
Thanks for the reminder of how useful the comments section can be.
Came here to say this.
" Universally, binary "1" represents "On" and binary "0" represents "Off". " While this is a great tip in general, the "logic" is exactly backwards -
In order to "kill" the running 2-stroke, the switch is closed to ground the coil. For the engine to run, the switch is "open".
If you used this switch as a horn button, it would honk with "O", not "I" .
I've been a mechanic for 20 years and I still couldn't remember. Now hopefully I remember this advice!
REMEMBER: O is for OPERATIVE, and I is for INOPERATIVE. Simple isn't it?
I ran into this situation at work for the first time today and couldn't figure it out... Now I'm glad I came across your video! Thank You!
Fantastic!
I’ve always thought of it “O” as off cause power not going anywhere, being stuck in a loop and “I” as connecting power between points. Off and ignition makes more sense 😉
remembering where Off is without first reciting the word "ignition " in your head is also useful, especially if theres a handy O to remind you.
I like this better. Thanks.
Funny, but in my mind, I always want to believe a full circle means the circuits completed or on, as opposed to a line which takes current nowhere like an open switch is drawn in an electrical schematic.
Elvis Barcellos Yeah, but if you are familiar with how electricity/electronics works, then a "closed loop" is exactly what is needed for current to flow, thus any device to turn on. Power will always be stuck in a wire that isn't connected at both ends. Like a straight line. The symbols are (logically) backwards for electronics.
Thanks Steve. Simple and quick.
I'm an electrical engineer and I think of them as binary logic states. 1 (typically some voltage like 5V or similar) is on and 0 (typically 0V or ground) is off.
I'm 59 and I finally know this........drove me crazy! Thanks for sharing this.
You're Welcome...
Hey Steve! "Ignition" and "0" for off, that was easy. I never liked them symbols either. I like the steam punk lamp on the back bench next to the RUclips award. Just thing. Spring is right around the corner. 😀
0 can mean on too lol
Its simply binary code for on / off
I means closed circuit (On) and O means open circuit (off).
Those symbols
The well-known on/off power symbol was the result of the logical evolution in user interface design. Originally, most early power controls consisted of switches that were toggled between two states demarcated by the words On and Off. As technology became more ubiquitous, these English words were replaced with the universal symbols line "|" for "on" and circle "◯" for "off" (typically without serifs) to bypass language barriers. This standard is still used on toggle power switches.
The symbol for the standby button was created by superimposing the symbols "|" and "◯"; however, it is commonly interpreted as the numerals "0" and "1" (binary code)
My day is complete now Steve, excellent way to keep up with it, thanks bud. 👍
Good recap Steve. I think some folks not watching your channel are either: A) Still pulling the starter rope; B) Have tossed the machine in the garbage, or C) Taken in for repair.
Awesome, been in lawn buissness for 10 yrs didn't know till now,thanks stay safe
Years ago my electronics shop teacher always said it was “into trouble” and “out of trouble”. That has stuck with me.
A "universal symbol" that is universally confusing
THANK YOU!!
Insanity prevails!
😅
I refer to this as Eurotrash hieroglyphics, because whenever you run into these pictures instead of text, everyone says "Oh, well, that's how they do it in Europe." It's International! Well whoop-dee-do!
So true. They could easily make it ‘on’ or ‘off’, but no, they use stupid symbols which no one over here understands.
Same with kilometers and liters. Get rid of that crap. It’s MILES and GALLONS!
Thanks Steve and also a big thank you to the guy that asked about it. I was too embarrassed to admit not knowing. I always had to check the switch on my weed wacker when I started any of my other stuff. It's a rocker that defaults to the "I" position.
I prefer the switches that "default" to the "on" position, much less confusion, but your explanation is good too, 0 is off I is on!!
Thank you! Ignition is very easy to remember. When I was in the Air Force, we didn’t use “O” or “0” or “1” or “I” because of confusion when dealing with labels.
I have struggled with this more than I like to admit. Thanks for the tip.
You're Welcome...
Great idea, may I also suggest "I" for In circuit and "O" for Off circuit, this helped me for many electronic devices.
I always thought of it as O for open as in open circuit IE off, and the I was a squished O for closed circuit. But I like your explanation better.
I always figured that O was for Open but then couldn't remember whether the connection is Open allowing current to flow or the switch is Open blocking current flow. Now I will try and remember Off and Ignition.
But techinically, with most small engine ignition systems, the coil is grounded to turn the machine off, and the switch terminals are actually closed in the off position to connect the coil kill wire to ground the coil out which kills the spark, the switch is labelled opposite to most common other switches marked with 1/0...so the '0' open/'1' closed switch theory doesn't hold true in this instance🤣👍
@@simonilett998 You are correct!
I never had issue with I & O's but when I was a kid I struggled with Left & Right until I lost the tip of a finger on my left hand. :-) Another one people struggle with is 'Port & Starboard' on a boat or aircraft, I learned it by the words Left and Port have the same number of letters.
I too got confused with left or right when I was very young until someone showed me if you hold up your thumb and index finger on your left hand in the shape of an L, the L is the correct way on your left hand. Game changer, and I still sometimes think of that
@@Tech-Mark That's the best one I've ever heard. I'll teach that to my grandkids.
I'm in total agreement. I hate the I O system. It might seem so easy to many people but it drives me crazy but thanks for the tip.
I just put a small piece of red and green tape on the switch... Stop and go.
This is good. I think I'll remember it now. If not I'll just refer to the words "on" and "off" that I've written on pretty much everything with a Sharpie to help refresh my memory.
It's the symbolic transition of
numerical digits in the digital world for:
0 (zero) to "O" - open circuit, off
and
1 (one) to "I" - closed circuit, on
It would have been better to scrap the digital analogy and use the circle for a closed circuit loop (which is exactly opposite of the symbology)
The symbols come from binary 1=on 0=off. That said, I used to confuse it myself as I looked at it as a circuit. "O" would be closed loop (on) while "I" would be a circuit with no completion of the circuit. IEC 60417 outlines all of the symbols with 5008 defining the above. Steve's suggestion is how I remembered it myself
Yeah power equipment world is backwards, O is closed circuit instead of I.
@@rickfrogm825 no? Closed means complete, on.
Open means broken, disconnected. It's not backwards.
@@mrniusi11 what he means is the O looks like a complete circuit while the I looks like an open circuit which is I think why this confused me as well
Yes! That's how I see the 0. It's a closed circuit, therefore it's "on".
@@juliogonzo2718you're also getting confused by kill switches.
Kill switches usually work by shorting the ignition.
So a kill switch is on in the O position...
They're really the numbers one and zero. I remember it by saying to myself "with zero, I have nothing...no power at all."
Yip hes not alone on that 'day twister', is it running in circles and a block wall?? Or walking a track ? Or tracking in circles going No where,? Gets me often.
Thanks for you story, it helps many im sure👍
Now that I can remember. Almost gave up on Subaru pressure washer......2 cans brake cleaner.....could not get the tube out....works like beast now. After I figured out the kill switch
Early switches used blades in North America, but in Europe they used a contact at the end of a rod. It was off when pulled out, and on when pushed in, so in some languages like German, it is im and aus (in and out) for when the circuit is complete or open. So I think of it as in and out of contact and it's easy.
What I personally came up with is,
“0 is none and 1 is some”.
Takes all the remembering of what it actually means out of the equation. 😂
I would look it up and then by the time it became relevant again I had forgotten what which meant.
I haven’t forgotten since I came up with that phrase.
Thanks Steve! As a 65 year old DIY mechanical mr fix it guy....this has ALWAYS hung me up! Ignition and LET'S GO!
Right on
Sweet tip. Had never heard that explanation before; it is hard to remember what those symbols mean. Especially when an engine won’t run and you start second guessing yourself. Thanks.
Glad to help!
Good advice Steve. I had an instructor who said "I" was for in and "O" was for out - meaning "I" was come-on in and "O" was you're done, son.
As soon as I heard John, I started laughing and couldn't stop. It's so much easier when you don't know who the announcer is!! Then you started to explain Ignition On... There's only an I and an O....Ignition On....where's the Off button? 🤣🤣 Thank you, Steve!! (And Mr. Announcer!) 🤪🤪
Hey Sandi that announcer guy makes me laugh too, he sounds so goofy!! 🤣🤣
😹
I like to think of it as a "1" (one) and a "0" (zero). It's binary, the vacuum-tube is a 1, or it's a 0.
I think every that gets stuck on it is going "O for Off"... which then later gets mixed up with "O for On". But treating it like numbers helps.
That is exactly what it is, the universal binary one and zero. One is always one and zero is always off. Not rocket science just binary code.
Finally an answer to everyone's question. Thank You.
You're Welcome...
Hey Steve! Glad you did this video, This has been a problem for me as well, the I and o symbols have just seemed to be defying all logic up until now. I wonder if it is covered in the owners manual which I hardly ever read. As long as I have a definition for the letter or symbol I, I can better remember which way is which. Too bad on and off both start with the letter “o” that was the confusing part. Now starting my equipment should be a breeze. 👍🍻
The "O" always got me.. On or Off. But the Ignition trick by association will help !! good tip
Thanks buddy!
I think you helped MANY. I’ve been using mine for years and you would think. Oh well, I hit it now. Thanks Seve O!!
The I and O (letters) are really 1 and 0 (Numbers) representing BINARY states. 0 (zero) is OPEN state meaning a circuit is broken and no current flows (aka OFF). 1 (One) is CLOSED state meaning a circuit is complete and current flows (aka ON). In electronics class they said to think of the 1 (One) as a pointed arrow and if you touched it you would get "poked" or hurt like electricity poking you. Then the 0 (Zero) would represent "OK" and safe to touch and not get poked.
This is true, but another way to remember it for the non-electronic/electrical people, is O = OFF
Stop pretending you know. It is BASIC electric flow marks.
@@soisaidtogod4248 who's pretending bud? I have an associate's in EET, I've been an electrician for almost 20 years and currently a licensed electrical contractor in my state.
@@IrrationalBstrd
Thanks JF... I also have an Associate in EET and another Associate in Computer Programming which I have been mainframe Programming for over 35 yrs in 15 different Programming languages. My 3rd degree is a Bachelor degree in Technical Project Management. I am sorry @So Isaidtogod thinks I am pretending. I can see you agree with me. Ty!
It's a one and a zero, as in binary digits. In the most basic logic circuits, a "1" was represented by a positive voltage being present, while a "0" was represented by no voltage being present. 1 and 0, being recognizable in most languages, then became the international symbols on power switches. 1 = power on, 0 = power off.
I actually prefer Steve's solution in this case, but thanks.
...and how long did it take you to explain this...?
@@weldorman8495 Probably less than the 71 seconds this video runs. 🙂
You should put that in your new book, "Chainsaws For Dummies." My advice, if you're not sure how to turn it off, leave it alone.
You are my go-to guy on all things small engines on youtube. I always look at your channel first when having issues with small engines, which is frequent. Another excellent video; short n sweet. keep'em coming.
Wow, thanks!
Just this week I needed this, sons piece of crap Craftsman pressure washer has these symbols and I couldn’t remember? THANK YOU GREAT ONE!!!👍👍👍👍👍
Glad I could help!
I always thought the origin of the symbols was open vs. closed circuit. O (circle) = open circuit (off), | (line) = closed circuit (on).
You are correct. But people are stupid so manufacturers flipped it around.
@@egads2 Yeah, I think the memory trick is good (my intent wasn't to say he's wrong. lol) :D
I had the opposite thought. The O meant the circuit was completed.
It's actually binary. Like computer language. It's a one and a zero. I. Computers one is on and zero is off.
@@SuperMutsy When I took electronics, pre computer boom, we were taught the 0 was open, and the I symbolized a closed circuit.
When if fails to start in the "O" position, switch it to the "I" for "Idiot" position and try again. 😁🍺
I pressed the Ignition button on my computer, and it burst into flames. Thanks for the bum steer, Steeeeeeeeve!
I always thought of it as a zero and a one. Since on computer storage such as a hard drive, all zeros means blank and they strategically add ones to write data.
Thank You! This has been wasting my time for years. Now I can remember.
Glad I could help!
That clears it up but for me I think remembering that "O" stands for off would be easier for me to remember because I don't really associate "I" for ignition as far as an abbreviation goes, I think more along the lines of "On." Still though, it clears it up, thank you!
I've always seen it as a one and a zero. When you are expressing something in binary a zero means off and 1 means on. Meaning if you had a series of lightbulbs and wanted to express something in binary the 1's would be the ON lightbulbs and the 0's would be the OFF lightbulbs
Just like 0 for X and 1 for Y. Female is 00 and male is 01. Also think of a hole and a pole.
Technically, it's not the letters i and o. It's the numbers 1 and 0. One is for power and Zero is for no power. It's the same symbol used on most all power switches in everything from electronics to engines.
It's not the letters "I" and "O", it's a ONE (1=on) and a ZERO (0=off). These are the international symbols for on and off. Manufacturers do this because they sell their product in many countries, many of which speak languages other than English. If they used the words "on" and "off", they would have to make a many versions of their product with different labels in the local language of each of those countries, driving up the cost of manufacturing and charging more to the consumer. Free tip: feel free to put some painter's tape over the 1 and 0 with the words of your choice.
They are not numbers or letters but a line to represent a closed circuit and a circle for an open circuit.
@@kamX-rz4uy Do you have a source for that? I’ve worked in electronics and software for 40 years and haven’t heard that explanation before.
Thank You!! I am one of the folks that keep forgeting whay these symbols mean. Now i hope to remember ...
You are so welcome
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes these symbolic (non-language) choices cause confusion rather than clarity.
Great work Steve - you make things easy for us again! Cheers mate.
Thank You...
The funny thing about this is not everyone understands this, even I had issues with this. Even after I figured this out I still get confused or forget, so I simplified it by coloring the switch with red & green.
Problem solved!
Green for on or run and red for off or stop. I really don't understand why they didn't do this in the beginning. I mean you really can't confuse with colors.
Or at least color the ( I ) green.
How much more would that really cost in manufacturing? Seriously.
You can if you're red/green color blind - and yes it's a real thing.
Of all Color blindness, RED/GREEN is the most comon by far.
DOUGout
Some might see that as green is safe (off) red is danger (on) 😁
Or is it red for danger and green for safe?
Edit: must read comments immediately above before commenting 🤣
Oh Man, red and green, port and starboard. Now I'm confused again ;-)
"O" is open circuit (which means off) and "I" is closed circuit (which means on). the O and I are visual representations of the electrical circuit. some of my Italian in-laws will say "open the light" when they want the light ON, which they are actually using incorrectly, and I tried to tell them that and now I have to sit at the kids table.
I for ignition O for off. sure, its not right. but its right enough.
Wrong... Why would one symbol represent a word or phrase, while another represents a diagram?... It wouldn't, that's why.
@@starmc26 they are both symbols and both represent words. its a circle not an O. and a Line not an i. they arent diagram symbols they are representing the two binary states. 0 or 1. off or on. open or closed.
IN a digital circuit you cannot have a SPST switch control an input directly.
The signal needs to be connected to either ground, or the voltage level that represents logic 1. The common way to do this is to pull the input high with a resistor, 3 to 10kΩ
then the switch is connected to pull the input low to ground when the switch is closed.
SO for most digital circuits the switch at 1 (closed) pulls the input low = logic 0
and when the switch is O (open) the resistor pulls the input hi = logic 1
you cant assume anything just looking at the switch markings
@@kenwittlief255 eh?. an spst switch is in fact digital in of itself. so your wrong. oh so very very wrong.
I can get behind that. Thank you. IGNITION and OFF simply
You got it!
Thanks Steve! I always figured the O for meaning off but dang if I could figure what the heck lower case El was doing there!
I means closed circuit, o means open circuit.
"O" is open contacts, "I" is closed contacts. The O is a gap and no current flow. The I is a connection with current flow. That's what works for me.
It's actually binary. Like computer language. It's a one and a zero. I. Computers one is on and zero is off.
@@SuperMutsy yes, it is but, not everyone is a computer guy. so i was just saying an easy way looking at it from an electrician point of view.
Dammit! Why couldn't I think of that?
That's sheer genius. For ever I've been trying to think up an unforgettable way of remembering which is On/Off. But I forgot.
Thanks so much Steve, that's a quick two-sip tip, but worth a whole crate job 👍👌👏
You're Welcome...
Truly embarrassing that you think it's sheer genius, even more embarrassing that you can't remember how to turn something on or off without literally having it spelt out for you !
I don't know who you are. Don't think I've ever watched your channel before, but I'm nominating you for sainthood!
Thank you, sir!
With this deed alone, you have served mankind well.👍🏻
Wow, thank you!
Great advice. I always remembered "I" as in service and "O" as out of service.
The "I" stands for line as in the "power line" is connected.
Universal power symbols are described in the International Electrotechnical Commission 60417 standard, Graphical symbols for use on equipment, appearing in the 1973 edition of the document (as IEC 417) and informally used earlier.[1]
IEC5007 On Symbol.svg
IEC 60417-5007,[5] the power-on symbol (line), appearing on a button or one end of a toggle switch indicates that the control places the equipment into a fully powered state. (1 or | means on.)
IEC5008 Off Symbol.svg
IEC 60417-5008,[6] the power-off symbol (circle) on a button or toggle, indicates that using the control will disconnect power to the device. (0 or ◯ means off.)
IEC5009 Standby Symbol.svg
IEC 60417-5009,[7] the standby symbol (line partially within a broken circle), indicates a sleep mode or low power state. The switch does not fully disconnect the device from its power supply. This may appear on a toggle switch opposite a power on symbol, alone on a pushbutton that places the device into a standby state, or alone on a button that switches between on and standby. Alternatively, under IEEE 1621, this symbol simply means "power".[8]
IEC5010 On Off Symbol.svg
IEC 60417-5010,[9] the power on-off symbol (line within a circle), is used on buttons that switch a device between on and fully off states.
Power sleep black cropped.svg
A crescent moon, indicating sleep mode, is added by IEEE 1621 as a replacement for the standby symbol.
Thanks for that educational documentation from 1973. I don't have any problem understanding which symbol means on or off. However I was a bit disappointed there still isn't really any iron clad logic in the official definition. I would have guessed it would have something to do with ones and zeros (and make some computer type sense). Even assuming that "line" is referring to a "power line" analogy, the stated portion of the definition regarding the circle "indicates that using the control will disconnect power to the device." If I was going to depict a disconnected line (off) vs a connected line (on), then I might just as well think the opposite of the reality (i.e., that a connected line would obviously be a circle while a simple open ended line is disconnected).
@@todddavidmoore Unfortunately when I converted the excerpt to text so that it would post in the comments it lost some of the contextual information. It isn't solely from 1973. That is only part of the documentation.
But the IEC determines the meaning and they state that the "I" stands for line. In any case you can find this in the Wikipedia entry. Which includes links to the original sources.
Great info.
Couple additional items:
1. In our global world economy, these machines go to a lot of places, many of which aren't English speaking. So On and Off are a no-go.
2. The switches represent the system and not the switch itself. Small engine magneto ignitions typically use a switch that is closed when off, short to ground. "Automotive style " switches typically open when off to remove battery power from the ignition.
@clay it doesn't say it means "power line." It's saying that the symbol itself is a line.
@@paulheitkemper1559 That is why I stated "as in." For laypeople. ;)
It’s computer binary. O is off, and 1 is on. Some switches have a symbol comprised of an 0 with a 1 splitting the top of the number, meaning it’s the ON/OFF switch.
The best I/o switches are the ones that are spring loaded, meaning they are always in the run position unless you temporarily press the raised part down (against the force of the spring) to kill the engine.
there's plenty out there that are not spring loaded...
Yeah the spring loaded to on is SO much better!
@@RayB50
Unhappily, yes. But if you just have one, you can use it to help you figure out what the I and the o mean.
How wrong can you be...
Yeah, I get confused on that more often than I care to admit, but this is a good tip. Ya deserve that cold one, brother! Cheers from Alberta!
Thank You...
I have never been confused by this, but am pretty sure this has helped someone. I was also thinking that 0 is the binary term for off, and I is the binary term for on, but was thinking way too far. :)
I always thought of this as O is open circuit and I is closed, open means there is no electronic connection. Its not English letters but symbols of a circle and line that are understandable by any language.There are also color gauges for battery status and fuel using green for full, orange for mid and red for empty understandable by anyone in the world. Sadly with some new electronics from China there is a drift and they are using cheaper blue and red led circuits mixing those colors in blue and red for battery status rather than sticking to international standards.
When I first encountered these symbols, I thought the circle meant that the connection was complete, i.e., on. I appreciate the need for universal symbols, but the meaning of these symbols far from obvious.
It is a "One" and "Zero" for on and off based on binary math.
It’s basic binary. 1 is on. 0 is off.
Excellent advice Steve. I remember it from my marine switchboard breakers, IN and OUT.😊.
Isn’t it interesting that such a short video can get over 150,000 views and 689 comments? I’ve cussed switches labeled like that for decades, but your one and a half minute expose’ cleared it all up for me, and evidently hundreds of others! Thanks!
You're Welcome...
Decades!!! Wow that's embarrassing!
There are 2 kinds of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who don't.
Thanks Steve. My world makes sense again😊😅
Of all the information floating around in us guy’s heads, I hated that I could never come up with a good way to remember something so simple. Thanks!
Our pleasure!
Thank you so much ! I was wondering just that on a tankless water heater on and off switch ,makes absolute sense,ignition and off !
Glad it helped
Definitely helped me 🤣🤣 This video is Genius! Now i’ll never forget
Thank You...
Steve, its obvious that some folks are almost to dumb to have survived without lots of help Brother. Your videos are saving lives man!
Yes, and some are too dumb to learn the difference between to, too, and two.
I've always gotten those confused. Thanks for the tip. So simple.
Happy to help!
Very helpful since I rarely run gas powered machines. When I do, this is the dilemma! I have been schooled again by the master. Thanks Steve.
Glad it was helpful!
Even while I know that it's not a letter I and letter O, I still think of them as such. So to me, it's I for "In" (letting the power in, so to speak), and O for "Out" (taking or letting the power out). Being a computer guy that makes the most sense to me.
But I do love the "Ignition" method when it comes to machines powered by engines/motors.
Yes!!! My wife is forever telling me she's never certain which is on and which is off.... I'll tell her about this hack. Thanks again Steve for all the help!! P
You're Welcome...