What Are Electrical Terminals and Their Types?

Posted on July 13, 2020 Christopher Wilson Electrical

Electrical terminals refer to the extremity of a conductor, network, or device end. Additionally, a terminal may be in reference to a connector that is attached at this endpoint that may be used as a point for the attachment of external circuits. Whether being the end of a wire, featuring a connector, or fitted with a fastener, electrical terminals may come in various types depending on their use. In this blog, we will further discuss what terminals are, as well as the various Terminal types that are used across applications and systems.

Electrical terminals are included in the family of Electrical Connectors, used to transfer current from a power or grounding source for an application. Wire terminals are indispensable to a variety of installations and applications, creating a secure electrical connection. Wire terminals may be insulated or non insulating, each providing different benefits depending on the need. With insulation, the wire is protected against water and moisture, as well as extreme heat and cold. Insulation of electrical terminal wires is often manufactured from vinyl, nylon, and heat shrink. Wire terminals come in many various types, some examples including butt connectors, push on terminals, ring terminals, spade terminals, hook terminals, bullet connectors, pin terminals, sealed connectors, and more. With terminal kits and terminal crimp tools, establishing connections can be fairly easy. Studs and gauges are also beneficial for ensuring an optimal fit for terminals, allowing for wires to be connected to hardware with the connection end.

Terminal blocks, also known sometimes as screw terminals, are electrical interchanges that distribute power. Terminal blocks consist of a modular block and an insulated frame that allow for the connection of two or more wires. With a clamping component and conducting strip, the wires may establish a connection with ease. Terminal blocks and strips typically serve two uses which are to connect different circuits together, as well as provide grounding for circuits. Grounding provided by Terminal blocks and strips is very important to a system as it allows for a circuit to terminate safely, both protecting the Terminal blocks and electrical components from short circuiting. Grounding is also important beyond the electrical components themselves, as they protect others who may interact with such systems. Terminal block connectors have the advantage of being fairly low cost, though they do face the possibility of being affected by loosening, requiring secure connections to ensure optimal performance.

Terminal strips, also known as terminal boards, are tin-plated copper terminals, each providing a hole in which a wire end may be passed through. The terminal strip is most often constructed from a heat resistant material such as synthetic-resin bonded paper or bakelite that is cotton reinforced. The insulator also features an integral mounting bracket, often attached to stamped loops so that they are ground to the chassis. Terminal strips are common to point-to-point construction, which was a non-automated method of producing electronics circuits before the use of printed circuit boards.

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