What is this symbol

[BeezFun]

I've got a problem with my boom lift which is 90% hydraulic and 10% electrical, and right now it's the 10% electrical that's not working. A symbol that looks like a capital "Z" appears next to some of the wire traces on the logic diagram for the machine, does anyone know what it means? The machine is made by Nifty Lift which is a British company, so maybe it's something more common on the other side of the pond. Normally Z means impedance, so I'm not sure if they're saying that's a high impedance path around the relay and, if so, what kind of device is providing the impedance.
Here's a small example, I've also included the full diagram so you can see all the places it appears, sometimes sideways.

 

[BeezFun]

I got an answer on Reddit. It's a symbol for a diode, which no one had ever seen before. But given the location is always around a relay, it must be there to prevent the the back emf when the coil is deenergized.

 

[caver]

I wonder if it's varistor (MOV) for the coil but odd drawing.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Diode Symbol is a Triangle with a line across the top..

 

[ning]

I haven't seen that symbol either... is it a zener diode?

 

[Midniteoyl]

I haven't seen that symbol either... is it a zener diode?

Zener Diode has a bent line:

 

[workinonit]

That looks like it would be a zener but it's not the symbol for one. Look at the circuit and see what the component looks like.

 

[BeezFun]

Once I knew I was looking for a diode I found them on the control board in between and around the relays, but they're hard to see without a good flash.

 

[2515R Dude]

In electronics, "Z" represents impedance, which is the overall opposition to the flow of alternating current (AC) in a circuit, encompassing both resistance and reactance.

Google Search

 

[WranglerX]

I think its a diode symbol by way its wired across relay coils....

 

[garry1p]

Once I knew I was looking for a diode I found them on the control board in between and around the relays, but they're hard to see without a good flash

Those are relays not diodes. on edit I do see the diodes.

I think all the Z lines go off page probably to a computer test plug.

Line 10 is signal ground -VC 0V and may or may not be connected to chassis ground and line 4 is +VC 12V

My guess Z is not a electrical component.

 

[WranglerX]

Maybe its not a "Z".... Maybe its half of a (flyback) diode symbol....

Look up "flyback" diodes and you will see how they are wired across relay coils...

 

[ning]

Maybe its not a "Z".... Maybe its half of a (flyback) diode symbol....

Look up "flyback" diodes and you will see how they are wired across relay coils...

View attachment 3201475

Googling "half of diode symbol on schematic" I see quite a few hits, such as

 

[caver]

It's a symbol for the elusive flux capacitor.....

 

[S854]

It's a symbol for the elusive flux capacitor.....

I can’t believe I read a whole “electrics” thread… this is the only part I understood…

 

[mkruger21]

Foreign drawing so all bets are off...as others have posted earlier it can either be a zener or other specialty diode, or an MOV. Bottom line it has to have high impedance under normal voltage conditions, and break down to a low impedance if voltage spikes high. In this circuit you could substitute an ordinary diode, like a 1N4001, with the cathode (banded end) facing the 12V power supply (up) if you felt you needed to replace it.

 

[dbritt]

In all my years as an electronics technician, and plenty of time troubleshooting automotive, farm and industrial equipment electronics, I have never once seen that symbol used as a symbol for a diode on a diagram. However, from their placement on the diagram, those are obviously ordinary diodes used to suppress the generated voltage when a relay switches from on to off, or what some are referring to as "flyback". It's a very common practice in design of electronics with relays and solenoids. I'm guessing that drawing was made by someone not very knowledgeable about electronics drawings.

 

[Rustyiron]

Heck I thought it was a sideways N

 

[redman135]

The OP appears to be in the US. They also state the device is designed by a British company. I would suggest they look at British electronic termanology to sort out what they are looking at.

There are differences in termanology betweeen countries. The US market is large enough to have americanised manuals. My country is not, so we run into the OP's problem freqently.

 

[renegade99]

I think its a diode symbol by way its wired across relay coils....

it's a "metric" diode