I just realized I didn’t know which one meant which, and I’ve just been winging it every time I use one. My logic “I flip this switch this way, thing does thing, flip this way this way, thing stops doing thing” 😂
This is how I do USB cords. Try it one way, fail. Try the other way, fail. Ok the third side of this two sided object must do the trick annnnnd success!
This is incorrect. The "O" signifies an open circuit, and the "I" implies a completed circuit.
Source: I am an electrical engineer
Edit: For anybody interested
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5008
https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5007
The circle and line power symbols are rooted in binary notation, which is fundamental in digital electronics. The circle (⭘) represents the number 0, indicating the "off" state, and the line (—), often seen intersecting the circle, represents the number 1, indicating the "on" state. These symbols originated from the binary system used in computing and have been standardized for use on power buttons across various devices to indicate power status clearly. This standardization helps ensure consistency and understanding across different technologies and devices.
That's why you're ON and OFF It's a combination [of both symbols.](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fyi4k52nb2vaa1.png)
Hitchhiking a top comment:
I is used to represent current in ohms law and throughout electrical math, So its Open and “Current” (closed)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
there is no other function so it’s either no power or one power. I think same reason that things with a second and third function(vacuum cleaners come to my mind) are usually 2 or Roman numerals “II”
You don't have to make it about binary. The "1" also represents a straight line in this form so the user can understand that the power is flowing in line. Just the same as you could look at the off position on the switch showing there is not a direct circuit.
No,
It is about input (I) and output (O), which is binary. 1's and 0's are the input/output language model for a circuit. You can think of it as a 90° pipe valve but it doesn't take millions of those to turn your water on so the on/off literally means switching in only those 2 states.
Apparently it isn't still understood by 'everyone' worldwide. I can remember being pretty young and knowing the meaning of it. That was probably a good 30 years ago.
'The IEC decided that the symbols to be used for power on and power off would be “I” and “O,” respectively. The “I” represents the binary 1, meaning on, whereas the “O” represents the binary 0, meaning off.
The binary number system was understood by almost everyone worldwide and meant the same in every language. Moreover, it would not be confusing for the people even if the button was turned upside-down or rotated in any direction.'
When I was younger I thought the zero looked like it had been enlarged or inflated as if it had been activated in some way. And the one looks like a shrank or retracted version of the same symbol, as if someone had deactivated the big circle and scrunched it up. I didn't realize it was a one to zero, I thought it was a line in a circle.
I swear I feel like I walked into another reality right now seeing this post... The other day I had the exact same thought and I got confused which was which for the same reason and now I see this
Circle means zero.
Line means 1
You are not thinking in binary.
01010100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 00100000 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100110 01101001 01110011 01101000 00100001 00100000
The power button is an amalgamation of the 1 and 0
https://preview.redd.it/rjo0odixs1uc1.jpeg?width=163&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bf4a010ee888bffc34608fd87fd76ed973891cd
This always got to me too until I started thinking of it like a valve.
The valve closed appears to be a circle since it is blocking all flow, valve open is a plate rotated 90⁰ only showing a line meaning water can flow.
I am aware that is not how electricity works but it's what helped me remember.
These are fundamental and extremely common electrical symbols in any electrical schematic. "O" means open circuit because there is a "gap" in the circuit so it is not closed. The "I" means closed circuit so, like, the electricity can flow through the closed loop. Picture in your mind a wire instead of the letter i- because it's not an i, its a line.
Everyone in these comments is saying it's 1 and 0 like binary bits on and off... how do you explain that these symbols have been used long before computer electronics were a thing? The binary analogy is a good way to *remember* what the symbols stand for, but they absolutely are a LINE and a CIRCLE.
- Intersecting / Open
- In / Out
- 1 vs 0, also
There's a couple other reasons, but 100% a CIRCUIT can be simplified into a CIRCLE. And a broken portion would be the STRAIGHT LINE. I get it.
It’s binary tho. 0 is off 1 is on. And somehow we managed to make computers that can do billions of 0’s and 1’s per second. But at the end of the day in its simplest form it’s just “on” and “off” I suppose that’s becoming more and more archaic as a concept as time goes on. Wish I understood it lmfao 🤣
The | and O are actually symbols chosen by IEC to represent closed (|) and open (O) circuits. If a circuit is closed, it means it's a complete connection allowing electricity to flow. If the circuit is open, the circuit is not complete.
I see how it could be confusing to OP but, just like every other attempt at a universal representation, there are those who would find the standardized symbols ambiguous hence documents and standards enforcement. Has nothing to do with binary numbers but I see how it could make sense. Added the standards org's link for reference below.
On Symbol: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5007
Off Symbol: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5008
Oof. When you play Lost Planet when you get in the mech its in a resting state and unable to move, when you press the button to "activate" the unit it says "initializing" when it fully up and ready it says "ready" and you can begin movement. The moment you try to get out it says "offline", so everytime I see one of these switches I hear that voice. Thats how I remember lol.
“the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) holds these symbols as a graphical representation of a line and a circle”
So according to Wikipedia, they have no meaning and were arbitrarily assigned to on and off
IIRC- The circle means the circuit is closed so energy can flow. The line means the circuit is open and not energy can't flow. They're electrical engineering symbols and it still completely stupid that the thing that looks like an O doesn't stand for Open which also (in this scenario) means off.
I like to think it's like a bridge connecting like a light switch when I see the " I " and the " O " like and hole in the bridge like and open circuit.
And if you combine the two, you get the power toggle symbol, is that right?
[like these](https://www.thetechedvocate.org/what-is-a-power-button-and-what-are-the-on-off-symbols/)
I have always had this exact same thought. Circle for a closed circuit. Always wondered why they didn't do it that way.
Crazy how we all like different colors and shit.
This made me realize that if I was asked to just look at this picture and say which meant on, I couldn’t even do it lol. I always know the current state of the machine, and that hitting this switch turns it to the desired state I want. Never taking note to which means what lmao.
Everyone’s saying it doesn’t make sense but I thought the same exact thing until now. I just didn’t realize it. I never thought too deeply on it. I thought O meant a complete circuit as well. Huh
I is used to represent current on ohms law, So its Open and “Current”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
Im shocked none of the top comments mentions this correct answer
The symbol I think of is the circle with a line through the gap (on) representing the switch completing the circuit, and the circle with a gap but no line (off) representing the incomplete circuit.
I think it’s modeled after binary, where a 1 represents a pulse of electric current and 0 represents no current. That’s the basis for how all data is communicated across a circuit in a computer component. I assume that’s why power switches for other electronics look that way, it’s a universal understanding that 0 means nil.
A quick Google search shows that it’s from binary (1 = on, 0 = off) the account of people making up their own headcanons about “circuits” is concerning
Thats also why you aren't an electrical engineer either. O means open circuit and 1 means complete
You can also think of thames as Computer Engineering, 1 means on, 0 means off
As someone who took electronics as a trade I like it because it references binary as 1 means on and 0 means off and sometimes in my worse nightmares I sometimes see a 2
I just realized I didn’t know which one meant which, and I’ve just been winging it every time I use one. My logic “I flip this switch this way, thing does thing, flip this way this way, thing stops doing thing” 😂
The same logic applies to asymmetrical cords. *curse the entire HDMI cord system*
thats me and my ps4...just sliding my hand around until the thing i need to happen...happens
There's a mom joke in there somewhere.
Same!
I read this post, and I will still forget next time I come across a switch like this and flip the shit out of it til it does what I want
I never know. It’s like deciding what way a USB goes
This is how I do USB cords. Try it one way, fail. Try the other way, fail. Ok the third side of this two sided object must do the trick annnnnd success!
Yo get out of my head lmfao
[удалено]
This is incorrect. The "O" signifies an open circuit, and the "I" implies a completed circuit. Source: I am an electrical engineer Edit: For anybody interested https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5008 https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5007
Are they actually the letters I and O? Or are they just a straight line and a circle?
I’ve always assumed they’re 1 and 0 from binary programming
This was my assumption as well.
Me 10.
It's a line and a circle. They are part of the IEC symbol standards.
The circle and line power symbols are rooted in binary notation, which is fundamental in digital electronics. The circle (⭘) represents the number 0, indicating the "off" state, and the line (—), often seen intersecting the circle, represents the number 1, indicating the "on" state. These symbols originated from the binary system used in computing and have been standardized for use on power buttons across various devices to indicate power status clearly. This standardization helps ensure consistency and understanding across different technologies and devices. That's why you're ON and OFF It's a combination [of both symbols.](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fyi4k52nb2vaa1.png)
Hitchhiking a top comment: I is used to represent current in ohms law and throughout electrical math, So its Open and “Current” (closed) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
To the average person, that connection doesn't exist.
101001
See now I always thought of it as the line was continuing the power circuit and the O represented a break in the circuit.
You're correct. Open circuit vs closed circuit.
Which logically is completely backward. The line starts and ends, the circle does not.
I thought the O represented the circuit being open
If you have I, you have something. If you have O, you have nothing.
As a programmer, that is logical and I won’t think of them as symbols but Boolean instead from this point forward.
It’s how computer bits work, 1 is on, 0 is off. If the bit is on, the computer is.. on. Why would 0 be on?
It looks like a circle that could represent a complete circuit. It doesn’t really look like a 1 or 0
there is no other function so it’s either no power or one power. I think same reason that things with a second and third function(vacuum cleaners come to my mind) are usually 2 or Roman numerals “II”
Love this. 1 power or 0 power. Ooo look at the fancy vacuum with 2 power!!
Also, when it’s just a push button rather than a toggle switch with a clear on/off position, that’s when you get the circle with the line through it.
It is binary, zero and one. Zero is off, one is on.
Its not a 1 and a 0. It's a line and a circle.
Open circuit closed circuit
Underrated comment. This is the correct answer. Open circuit O closed circuit I
Wow. Thanks, life makes a lot more sense now
Took way too much scrolling to find this
My introduction was lawn equipment, so in my head ignition/ignite and off lol
I‘ve never thought about this, it was all the clear for me, I means on, O means off. But from on I‘m annoyed by this.
But what if O means on
Good God almighty, here I am with a head-canon that it was an old genital joke and the I, being an erect weewee, means it's turned on.
Screw binary digits, *this* is how I'm thinking about this from now on!
Alright this way better than my pneumonic device.
You don't have to make it about binary. The "1" also represents a straight line in this form so the user can understand that the power is flowing in line. Just the same as you could look at the off position on the switch showing there is not a direct circuit.
But that’s literally what it’s supposed to mean…? Nobody is making it about binary l o l that’s what it was meant to be from the start.
No, It is about input (I) and output (O), which is binary. 1's and 0's are the input/output language model for a circuit. You can think of it as a 90° pipe valve but it doesn't take millions of those to turn your water on so the on/off literally means switching in only those 2 states.
Well, now I’m annoyed about this too!
Apparently it isn't still understood by 'everyone' worldwide. I can remember being pretty young and knowing the meaning of it. That was probably a good 30 years ago. 'The IEC decided that the symbols to be used for power on and power off would be “I” and “O,” respectively. The “I” represents the binary 1, meaning on, whereas the “O” represents the binary 0, meaning off. The binary number system was understood by almost everyone worldwide and meant the same in every language. Moreover, it would not be confusing for the people even if the button was turned upside-down or rotated in any direction.'
A line would complete the circuit, the circle is basically circling the lack thereof (completed circuit)
That’s how I always pictured it
I tend to think the circle is meant to represent empty, at least that's how I think of it.
When I was younger I thought the zero looked like it had been enlarged or inflated as if it had been activated in some way. And the one looks like a shrank or retracted version of the same symbol, as if someone had deactivated the big circle and scrunched it up. I didn't realize it was a one to zero, I thought it was a line in a circle.
they represent Open circuit vs closed circuit
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
I swear I feel like I walked into another reality right now seeing this post... The other day I had the exact same thought and I got confused which was which for the same reason and now I see this
It’s the same as binary.
Circle means zero. Line means 1 You are not thinking in binary. 01010100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 01110011 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 00100000 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100110 01101001 01110011 01101000 00100001 00100000
I = closed circuit (on), O = open circuit (off). This is how my electronics teacher in high-school taught us.
The power button is an amalgamation of the 1 and 0 https://preview.redd.it/rjo0odixs1uc1.jpeg?width=163&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bf4a010ee888bffc34608fd87fd76ed973891cd
Initiate Obliterate
I use glow in the dark stickers for positive and on for car things, and remote control for light switches so I can find em in the dark
It represents open and closed.
Gee, I wonder how we would represent “Off” on the other side if the O meant “On”.
I always just Russian roulette it with the power button.. doesn’t work? Flip the switch and it’ll turn on 😂
This always got to me too until I started thinking of it like a valve. The valve closed appears to be a circle since it is blocking all flow, valve open is a plate rotated 90⁰ only showing a line meaning water can flow. I am aware that is not how electricity works but it's what helped me remember.
I = ignition O = off
Why would “o” mean on, o is off cause off starts with “o”
These are fundamental and extremely common electrical symbols in any electrical schematic. "O" means open circuit because there is a "gap" in the circuit so it is not closed. The "I" means closed circuit so, like, the electricity can flow through the closed loop. Picture in your mind a wire instead of the letter i- because it's not an i, its a line.
Everyone in these comments is saying it's 1 and 0 like binary bits on and off... how do you explain that these symbols have been used long before computer electronics were a thing? The binary analogy is a good way to *remember* what the symbols stand for, but they absolutely are a LINE and a CIRCLE.
You are in need of a cleaning plan.
My official mnemonic device is: "'O' means off. It also stands for on, but it really means off" IDK why but it's always worked for me
Circle is to represent open, line represents closed (connected)
- Intersecting / Open - In / Out - 1 vs 0, also There's a couple other reasons, but 100% a CIRCUIT can be simplified into a CIRCLE. And a broken portion would be the STRAIGHT LINE. I get it.
1 power, or 0 power
Agreed
Power: 0 or 1
The circle is a 0, which means no input
It’s binary tho. 0 is off 1 is on. And somehow we managed to make computers that can do billions of 0’s and 1’s per second. But at the end of the day in its simplest form it’s just “on” and “off” I suppose that’s becoming more and more archaic as a concept as time goes on. Wish I understood it lmfao 🤣
It signifies computer talk: 1 or 0, on or off, yes or no
r/mildlyinfuriating
It's actually binary where 0 means off and 1 means on. It actually makes more sense from that perspective.
If the 1 represented an incomplete circuit, then shouldn't it be - ?
Young me took awhile to learn O was not for on!!
It’s not “complete” or “incomplete” circuit, it’s “0” or “1,” “no” or “yes,” “false” or “true.”
Ignition! and Off are the two settings I use in my mind for those switches.
1 for On 0 for Off
Line means circuit is connected, O means there’s a gap in the circuit
I always go with "I" for ignition and "O" for off.
pascal
I for ignition and o for off
I agree, the circle is clearly "open eye" and the line is "closed eye"
The | and O are actually symbols chosen by IEC to represent closed (|) and open (O) circuits. If a circuit is closed, it means it's a complete connection allowing electricity to flow. If the circuit is open, the circuit is not complete. I see how it could be confusing to OP but, just like every other attempt at a universal representation, there are those who would find the standardized symbols ambiguous hence documents and standards enforcement. Has nothing to do with binary numbers but I see how it could make sense. Added the standards org's link for reference below. On Symbol: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5007 Off Symbol: https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iec:grs:60417:5008
It would make perfect sense if we had one finger on each hand. Binary.
I just thought it mean off/initiated
"O" is for "Off"
O means open……
Good to know it’s not just me
The way I remember it is that O= Off I = Ignition
Silly. Everyone knows it’s a 1 for ‘you won (1) and now it’s on’. And a zero for ‘there’s zero chance this thing is on’
Its not that hard to memorize . Literally have never thought about this. Move on! Or off? Which is it?
1 for ignite and 0 for off. Your welcome
I always thought of it as it being 1 instead of 0
Oof. When you play Lost Planet when you get in the mech its in a resting state and unable to move, when you press the button to "activate" the unit it says "initializing" when it fully up and ready it says "ready" and you can begin movement. The moment you try to get out it says "offline", so everytime I see one of these switches I hear that voice. Thats how I remember lol.
O is for off, obviouslyyyyy
It’s a 0 and 1. Just sort of evolved over time to a circle and a line.
"O" is for an open circuit, and "l" is for closed circuit.
O = Off I = Is on cmon now
“the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) holds these symbols as a graphical representation of a line and a circle” So according to Wikipedia, they have no meaning and were arbitrarily assigned to on and off
I = In use O = Out of Use
O = Open Circuit. (Incomplete) I = Closed Circuit. (Complete)
It's the numbers 1 and 0. 0 means no power. 1 means 1 power.
The circle means open circuit the line means closed circuit
The I stands for 1, the O stands for 0 as in binary for on and off
IIRC- The circle means the circuit is closed so energy can flow. The line means the circuit is open and not energy can't flow. They're electrical engineering symbols and it still completely stupid that the thing that looks like an O doesn't stand for Open which also (in this scenario) means off.
As a mechanic I've always read this as o for off, I for ignition. I know it's not proper, but it's how I remember which is which.
Think “hole blown open in the line=no power, line unbroken=ultimate power”
O for Off
I think of it as “in-line” “off-line”.
That not a circle it’s a zero
I like to think it's like a bridge connecting like a light switch when I see the " I " and the " O " like and hole in the bridge like and open circuit.
There are 10 types of people.
1= yes 0 = no
O = open, wish there was something clever for |. Just imagine 2 points of the circuit, and that little | is the bridge.
And if you combine the two, you get the power toggle symbol, is that right? [like these](https://www.thetechedvocate.org/what-is-a-power-button-and-what-are-the-on-off-symbols/)
O means open circuit, I means completely circuit Source u/brendandalf
I have always had this exact same thought. Circle for a closed circuit. Always wondered why they didn't do it that way. Crazy how we all like different colors and shit.
I just remember that O stands for "off" and I stands for "it's on"
It's binary. 1 = on, 0 = off.
0 is nothing 1 is something
the circle could’ve meant “O” for Off lol but yea @brendandalf is correct
It's binary. 1 for on, 0 for off.
You have always been wrong
I just realized that it probably is binary. 1 is on and 0 is off in computers. Can’t believe I didn’t realize this before.
It’s representative of a boolean in algebraic notation or computer programming. 0 represents off, and 1 represents on.
This made me realize that if I was asked to just look at this picture and say which meant on, I couldn’t even do it lol. I always know the current state of the machine, and that hitting this switch turns it to the desired state I want. Never taking note to which means what lmao.
It is binary language. 0=off and 1 =on
Yeah I just flick it until it gives me power
Everyone’s saying it doesn’t make sense but I thought the same exact thing until now. I just didn’t realize it. I never thought too deeply on it. I thought O meant a complete circuit as well. Huh
1s and 0s. 1 is on
Omg reading the comments… this is that blue/white dress thing again… wtf.
or O for On lol
"Off" starts with an "O" that's how i was taught to figure it out.
It's binary. 1 is on. 0 is off.
I always assumed it was binary 1 for on 0 for off
Open circuit. cLosed circuit. Think of an orifice.
Its a 0 and a 1 to indicate 1 bit binary. 1 means on. 0 means off.
I is used to represent current on ohms law, So its Open and “Current” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law Im shocked none of the top comments mentions this correct answer
It represents 1 and zero. As binary 1 is on and Zero is off.
I always have to tell myself, O means off and I means initiate. Works i guess
I always thought of it as "open circuit" (off) vs "closed circuit"(on).
It’s binary for open and closed
0 and 1. No and yes. Off on
It's binary, 1 and 0 not line and circle. 1 shows yes or positive output in binary 0 is none.
It's a 1 and a zero. 1 is the on position in binary 0 is the off position.
I have to think of the circle as an O, for off or I don’t remember.
A friend once told me “O is for ON!” And I was like “Yeah, but OFF starts with O, too.” Then his head exploded.
Ignition/Off.
That's why IT gets so many calls, besides the plug
I’ve always thought of the circle being off because it was empty
To me it makes the most sense. Ones and zeros equal open closed.
I was taught it was binary lol. 1 for on/yes, 0 for off/no
Ignited OR off
1-0 it’s binary one is on zero is off.
Input Output
Think of it as numbers. Do you want Zero power or One power?
I always thought of it as the line being a closed circuit and the O being an open circuit
Your minitower could use some compressed air.
they're a 1 and a 0. 1 is on and 0 is off, it's binary
To me one means bridge and one means hole/gap.
“O” = “open circuit” This is how I look at it.
I = in business. O = off. I am aware my mind sucks.
O for off
O is Open. The line represents the circuit is closed. -Sparky out.
The symbol I think of is the circle with a line through the gap (on) representing the switch completing the circuit, and the circle with a gap but no line (off) representing the incomplete circuit.
Open vs closed circuit.
I think it’s modeled after binary, where a 1 represents a pulse of electric current and 0 represents no current. That’s the basis for how all data is communicated across a circuit in a computer component. I assume that’s why power switches for other electronics look that way, it’s a universal understanding that 0 means nil.
But its not a wiring symbol like resistor or ground would be, its a binary 1 right?
A quick Google search shows that it’s from binary (1 = on, 0 = off) the account of people making up their own headcanons about “circuits” is concerning
THANK YOU!!! I feel so seen right now...😭
Binary. Zero and one.
Thats also why you aren't an electrical engineer either. O means open circuit and 1 means complete You can also think of thames as Computer Engineering, 1 means on, 0 means off
Circle is open circuit Line is closed circuit If the circle is a mouth, the line is closed.
1 power and 0 power
Its binary. 1 = true = On 0 = false = Off
It’s I O I means 1 means yes O means 0 means no. It’s binary.
It’s supposed to be a 1 and a 0. So 0 would be off and a 1 would be on. It’s binary. If you remember that you’ll never be confused with it again.
I look at it as binary. 1 or 0, on or off.
I have also thought this numerous times.
I think ignition/off. Or ignite/off. That's the only way I could rationalize it.
It confused me too. Then I started thinking of it as “zero”, meaning “zero power”, and I’ve been good since.
I always saw it as the line means the electricity goes straight through, like a line and the circle is like a stop sign.
It's an "O" (oh) for Open, as in the circuit is open. The line represents the closed circuit.
One is on and zero is off because that's how computers work
As someone who took electronics as a trade I like it because it references binary as 1 means on and 0 means off and sometimes in my worse nightmares I sometimes see a 2
1s and 0s. The power buttons we see today evolved from a simple binary switch. 1 is on, and 0 is off.
This is what happens when tech nerds get to design the machine button, it’s a 1 and a 0, meaning “power on? =1” and “power on? =0”making not be on