What is a terminal block used for? What do terminal blocks do？

A terminal block is a connector used to fasten two or more wires together safely. Also known as a terminal block connector, these terminal blocks use a clamping component and conducting strip to secure and organize connecting wires to have an insulating frame and a clamping system..

Terminal blocks types： Barrier strip terminal block，Edge connector, single row terminal block;

Barrier strips terminal block includes DIN Rail Terminal Blocks, Panel Mount Blocks, headers, and receptacles.

How to select a terminal block？ How to wire terminal block？

The features of the terminal, housing, and fastener are factors in determining the electrical  and mechanical specifications  of terminal blocks.

ABPower   will help define the fit, form, and function of the terminal block as well.

What are the key factors for  terminal blocks?

Poles: The number of individual circuits, or adjacent terminals, contained within the terminal block.

Pitch: The distance from one pole to the next.

Voltage Rating: The maximum system voltage that the terminal block is designed to be installed within.

Current Rating: This is the maximum nominal current rating  per pole that the terminal block is intended to be used.

Wire Range: The minimum and maximum wire sizes the terminal block is rated to accept.

Torque Rating: The maximum torque the hardware is designed to withstand while fastening a wire, within the wire range specification, to the terminal and not deform.

In most electrical circuits,

1, To evaluate the  circuit parameters, including the nominal current, the system voltage, and the number of circuits needed. The current and voltage rating of the terminal block needs to be above the nominal current rating and system voltage.

2, When there are temporary voltage surges or inrush currents that can occur. The more frequent that these temporary overvoltages and overcurrents occur, the more that the terminal block should be oversized to meet the application needs. The number of circuits will directly correlate to the number of poles needed on the terminal block.

3, Very important for terminal blocks, is the terminal configuration. The device designer must evaluate how the circuit path will be completed on the “through” side of the connection.

IEC-style terminal blocks are typically all short PCB solder connections for wave soldering.

Barrier Strips also have short PCB solder connections, but also can have male quick connects, longer solder pins, hand wired for hand soldering, screw threads, solder turrets and more.

The options for barrier strips will vary depending on what is logical based on the pitch. Edge connectors are often mechanically attached and provide a solderless connection with the terminals providing spring forces on PCB traces.

4,  Additional features:

Optional hardware can provide better corrosion resistance for some non-current carrying components for better aesthetics.

Terminal block covers can provide better shock protection for the general public, but also better environmental protection in normal industrial environments.

Application 1:

 Bussmann  BMM603-xSQ,  Could be 1 , 2, 3 poles;

It’s used in  class CC 10x38  fuse;

For box lug terminal block type, it matches covers on part number CVRI-CCM( Indicating) or CVR-CCM ( Indicating);

For pressure plate terminal block type, it matches cover: CVRI-CCM-QC and CVR-CCM-QC

Application 2:

Recently we are designing the terminal block to customers. Because of the terminal blocks manufacturers with different lead time.

It forces customer to find terminal block cross-reference.

Such as:

IDEC part: BTBH30C3, Bussmann terminal block cross reference Part Number: TB300-03; Suns international terminal block cross reference Part Number: TG-304-C;

IDEC part: BTBH30C4, Bussmann terminal block cross referenc

e Part Number: TB300-04; Suns international terminal block cross reference Part Number: TG3J2;

What AB Power can do to you?

1, Design terminal block to you in multiple manufacturers（ Bussmann, TE, Amphenol, Molex, IDEC, Suns international etc);

2, Design terminal block base on different certification areas (UL, IEC, CE,CSA etc)；

3, We can provide customized solutions to meet your urgent need.

Example:

IDEC BTBH30C3, from the product picture we can see that they are with screws.

If we remove the screw, they are 3PCS loose parts.

So if you are urgent need of IDEC BTBH30C4,

We suggest that you can use BTBH30C3 to recombine 2PCS BTBH30C3  to BTBH30C4.  We can assemble to you or ship together the BTBHC3 part with screws for your assembly freely.

Do you know why BTBHC3 can change to C4?

BTBH30C3 is 1PC Left side block+ 1PC Mid side block+ 1PC right side block;

BTBH30C4 is 1PC Left side block+ 2PCS Mid side block+ 1PC right side block.

So you can only use another BTBH30C3 to get 1PC Mid side block, to recombine to BTBH30C4.

Need more terminal block cross reference? Consult AB Power.