plug in terminal block join or terminate electrical wires. This is a simple but effective way of connecting wires. Other names for terminal blocks are connection terminals, terminal connectors and screw terminals.
The applications of terminal blocks are wide-ranging, but essentially they’re used wherever you need to connect electrical systems safely.
A terminal block has a modular housing. They are designed to secure and organise wire connections, but at the same time provide easy access to these connections for maintenance or for upgrading connections and systems.
In many electrical wiring systems, you’ll find multiple terminal blocks mounted on DIN rails.
The body of the terminal block is normally made of plastic or another insulating material. Terminal blocks come in different types, for use in different kinds of wiring system designs.
The number of poles in a terminal block equates to the number of circuits you can connect to the block.
Some blocks are double or even single-pole, while others can house as many as 24 poles.
Terminal blocks are direct mount, panel mount, free-hanging or PCB mount.
There are two main types of fittings in terminal blocks for securing wires:
Screw Terminal Blocks
Screw terminal blocks secure the wire they are connecting or terminating against the conductor with a tightened screw that closes the clamp.
Screwless Terminal Blocks
In screwless terminal blocks, the block secures the wire through the action of a spring clamp.