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About:
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What Is A Terminal Block?
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How do we connect two wires? By stripping the insulation at the ends and
twisting them together? Yes, it works. But, is it safe? We can apply insulation
tape over the joint or use a wire connector. But what if there are a number wires
that need to be joint/connected near each other? Or, what if multiple outgoing
wires are to be connected to a single incoming wire? Then this method will neither
be safe nor be convenient anymore. Here we use terminal blocks.<br/>
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<strong>What Is A Terminal Block?</strong>
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A terminal block (also called as connection terminal or terminal connector) is
a modular block with an insulated frame that secures two or more wires together.
It consists of a clamping component and a conducting strip. A typical simplest
terminal block is as shown in the image below.
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The insulating body of a terminal block houses a current carrying element (a
metal strip or terminal bar). It also provides a base for clamping element. The
body has a mounting arrangement so that the block can be easily mounted on or
unmounted from a PCB or a mounting rail. Most terminal blocks are usually modular
and mounted on DIN rail. That allows us to increase the number of terminals
according to the requirements. Terminal blocks keep connections much more secure
and wires well organized.
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<strong>Types Of Terminal Blocks</strong>
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Electrical terminal blocks can be classified on the basis of structure, device
type, termination options, etc.
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<strong>Structure Type</strong>
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Single level pass-through terminal blocks: These are simply used to connect
two wires together, i.e. wire-to-wire connection. These are also called as single
feed terminal blocks. Single level terminal blocks are of the most simple type
having one input contact and one output contact.
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Dual level terminal blocks: These blocks have another level of connection
terminal stacked on the first one. This arrangement is generally used to save
space.
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Three level terminal blocks: Just like dual level blocks, these have an extra
level at the top. An advantage of using multilevel blocks is that multiple
connections can be made in the same block.
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- <a href="http://www.chfrpu-electric.com/uk-screw-terminal/ground-terminal-
block/" target="_self">Ground Terminal Block</a>
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These blocks often look like a single level feed through terminals. The
exception is that these blocks and the metal connection where the wire is
terminated are grounded to the panel or DIN rail on which the block is mounted.
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- Fused Connection Terminals
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These are similar to the pass-through blocks with an exception of the metal
connection strip is replaced with a fuse. Therefore, the wires will be connected
through a fuse providing an added protection.
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- Thermocouple Terminal Blocks
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These are designed to accept thermocouple lead connections. Some thermocouple
connectors essentially clamp the thermocouple leads together on both sides of the
block, eliminating the metal connection strip inside the block. However, in some
thermocouple blocks, the metal connection strip of the same metal as that of the
wire may be present.
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