Icon on the power switch: that's the meaning

What is the meaning of the circle and line symbol on the power switch? We'll tell you in this practical tip.

Icon on the power switch: that's the meaning

Most devices with a power button show a symbol from an open circle with a vertical line.

• In the past, power switches were usually marked with "on" and "off". The disadvantage: the labeling had to be applied in different languages. Many people understand English, but in China the spelling is different. Problems arose in the course of international trade.
• In the search for a solution to this problem, an international symbol for the power switch was sought in order to dispense with labeling.
• The symbol on the power switch makes labeling unnecessary: ​​it is international. The vertical line symbolizes the "1", the circle stands for the "0".
• The idea of ​​combining these two digits goes back to the binary system. This only consists of these two numbers. The "1" stands for "on", the "0" for "off".
• If you combine these two numbers symbolically, the power switch explains itself: The device is "on" or "off".
• The symbol was first introduced in Switzerland by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 1973, at that time as a symbol for "stand-by".

Without a power switch, most devices cannot be switched on and therefore cannot be used. If your power button on the notebook is broken, you will find out what you can do in the next practical tip.