Terminal blocks provide secure, semi-permanent wire connections, they are commonly used and the most important components of any engineer's connector toolset. These blocks—also referred to as screw terminals, terminal connectors, or connection terminals—join two or more wires. They consist of a modular casing and an insulated body. Because of the semi-permanent nature of their connections, terminal blocks facilitate field inspection and maintenance processes.
Basic Factors
Even though terminal block are a fairly simple component, it is helpful to have a fundamental understanding of them and their specifications before making a pick. This article will go into further detail on several topics, including common terminal block types, significant electrical and mechanical considerations, and more, to assist engineers with this procedure.
Wire to Housing Method
When it's necessary to often connect and disconnect the principal connection, pluggable terminal blocks are a great option. These work by inserting wires into a modular connection that fastens to a fixed receptacle on the PCB, making it simple to separate cables without having to handle individual wires. As with orientations, there are three common methods—push-in, push-button, and screw terminal—for securing wires for terminal blocks.
All three categories, for the most part, are true to their titles. A clamp that holds the wire against the conductor closes when a screw is tightened, locking the screw terminal or screw-style terminal blocks in place. All you need to do to use a push button is press a button to release the wire's clamp and enter the wire. Push-in terminal blocks allow wires to be connected directly to the housing, doing away with the requirement for switches or screws to release a clamp.
Wire Entry Orientation
The three most common orientations for terminal blocks are horizontal (90°), 180°, and 45°. This decision will be based on how a design is arranged and oriented to achieve the optimal fit and accessibility to the connections.
Single vs. Multiple
Single housings or interlocking housings can be used to build terminal blocks. Interlocking terminal blocks allow engineers to quickly accomplish a range of pole counts or link many colors of the same module type together. These blocks are often available in versions with two or three poles. Single-piece terminal blocks, as is well known, have all of the poles in a single module, increasing their strength and toughness by design requirements.
Safety Ratings and the Additional Factors
Terminal blocks have to be certified by each nation's main safety body. When looking over a terminal block datasheet, several safety standards are specified; these criteria usually have different values. This is because each agency has a distinct testing standard; consequently, engineers need to know the overall system safety criteria to select a terminal block that will comply.
While it can be helpful, changing the color of a terminal block's buttons or housing is usually an afterthought in many designs. By using different colors for terminal blocks, engineers can make complicated system interconnection easier to understand and avoid making mistakes in connections. Applications or environments subjected to high temperatures may also employ terminal board with higher temperature ratings.
Get the Best Component for a Stable Connection
Engineers can more effectively meet the requirements of a broad range of electrical system connections by being aware of the major mechanical and electrical standards as well as the many types of modules. With so many options and configurations in the terminal blocks, the choosing process may be streamlined with the right guidance. It's always preferable to speak with these service providers to receive fundamental advice on reliable information about the terminal blocks that best meet specific needs.
