HOW TO CLASSIFY TERMINAL BLOCKS

Where there is electricity, there is terminal blocks. The use of terminal blocks is inseparable from electricity. Terminal blocks are an accessory product used to achieve electrical connections, which are industrially one of the connector categories. With the increasing degree of industrial automation and the increasingly strict and precise industrial control requirements, the use of terminal blocks has gradually increased. With the development of the electronics industry, the range of use of terminal blocks is increasing, and the types are increasing. How can we use the fastest method to distinguish them? As an engineer, how to quickly select the required terminal quality in the early stage of product design? In order to solve these problems, we need the simplest and clearest classification of the types and performance of the terminal blocks.

Classified by Product Performance

According to the different performance of the product, we can divide it into two categories, terminal and ground terminal. Terminal blocks are used to connect common cables, signal wires and other types of wire connections. The ground terminal, as its name suggests, is designed for ground wires. In the terminal production industry, there is a clear distinction between ordinary terminal and ground terminal production processes, such as the color of the product, the appearance of the product, the number of the product, and so on. For example, in the UK series combination terminal, the ground terminal uses yellow and green, while the ordinary terminal uses a gray design.

Classification by Wiring Method

It can be divided into screw-type terminals and screw-free terminals according to the wiring method. Screw terminal is the most widely used wiring method in the market at present. It adopts screw compression wiring method to firmly connect the cable to the terminal. The advantages are screw self-locking, high pressure, and firm wiring. The disadvantage is the higher installation and production costs compared to screwless terminals. At present, the most widely used screwless terminals are spring-type terminal blocks produced by Weidmüller and Phoenix. Of course, the names in the market are different, but the product technology and production process are the same. The ground terminal and the terminal are also distinguished by different colors.

Classification by Installation Method

Different installation methods can be divided into rail-type terminals and railless terminals. Rail terminal is the mainstream product in the current terminal industry. Railless terminal installation does not require a guide rail, and can be fixed directly with screws. Through-wall terminals and pin terminals belong to the railless terminal series.

Classified by Function

According to different functions, it can be divided into many categories, including voltage terminals, current terminals, disconnected terminals, insurance terminals and so on. The voltage terminal is usually used to connect ordinary wires, while the current terminal is used to test the circuit. The disconnect terminal can be used to replace the traditional ceramic fuse box. The fuse terminal is used for current limiting of the line. It can control the current of the line according to the current of different magnitudes. It automatically blows when it exceeds the maximum value of the fuse.

In general, when selecting terminals, you can choose terminals with different performances according to actual needs.