Terminals for connecting wires: which terminal blocks are better and how to work with them

Maintenance of electrical networks is inevitably accompanied by work with terminals for electricians. This is a kind of small mounting hardware, without which it is difficult to do, making wire connections between each other or with electrical equipment.

Time has eliminated obsolete terminals for connecting wires from practice, but it steadily supplements the base of electrical engineering with new developments - more advanced ones.

We will help you understand the variety of electrical fittings. The article discusses different types of terminal blocks, describes their features of application and installation.

Types of electrical connections terminal block

Considering all the terminals produced by the industry for connecting wires, you should immediately make a reservation and divide the products into two types: electrical and electrical.

In fact, the difference (in current load) between species is often small, but still it exists. This point should be borne in mind when selecting electrical terminals for installation, repair or other actions.

Terminal connections are used everywhere in electrics. This is one of those electrical components without which quality installation of any plan is unthinkable.

Faced with the need selection of electrical terminals for wires, it’s better to start with the simplest designs of domestic production - reliable, durable, proven in business more than once.

The following types of “clamps” are distinguished:

• knife;
• ring;
• pin;
• coupling.

Connections for the installation of electrical circuits can be performed by different methods and terminals - this is just one option. However, just such an option seems simple, convenient and even economical in comparison, for example, with soldering, welding, including cold.

Option # 1 - “scabbard”

These are perhaps the most common design options for products. They can often be found in the electrical circuits of many household appliances: irons, refrigerators, heating devices, etc.

But for conductor connections power electrical wiring, for example, in electrical apartment shields, they are not intended.

Familiar to many electricians and the widespread form of terminal blocks, the connection of which is carried out according to the principle of knife contact. To establish a connection, just insert one part (dad) into another (mom)

It is permissible to install this type of electrical products on conductors (stranded) with a cross section of 0.26 - 6.0 mm by the method of force crimping of the shank.

There are two types of such products: insulated and non-insulated. The insulation is usually colored in different colors (red, blue, yellow) depending on the rated power of the terminal block. The products are used in pairs in the “father-mother” bundle.

Option # 2 - Ring

Ring products are configured for screw mounting and are presented in two groups. Both groups are classified as bare terminals.

The first group includes designs of a closed ring with a shank. The second group consists of fork-type constructions with a break in the contour of the ring, also with a shank. Both that and others find wide application in circuits of electronic equipment.

Another "ancient" type of elements, with the help of which an electrical connection of the conductor with any modular circuit element is created. These terminals can be used under the contact of two wires, but in practice it’s such a rarity

Ring terminal blocks of the first type are available in a wider range than the second type. And the possibilities for their application are more extensive, given the technical characteristics.

This type of electrical products may be installed on electrical conductors with a cross section of 0.25 - 16.8 mm. And the plug configuration of the connecting terminals for wires is designed only for a wire cross section of 0.25 - 4.6 mm.

Option # 3 - pin

This group of connecting terminals for electric wires is made according to the principle of a detachable part consisting of two separate elements - plugs and sockets.

The plug is marked with the symbol “A”, for example, F2A. The socket is marked with the symbol "B", for example, F2B. Mounting on conductors with a cross section of 1.25 - 6.64 mm is supported. The main purpose of the pin terminals is to ensure the connection of electrical conductors.

One of the options for the pin design of the terminal blocks, used, as a rule, in low-current circuits.Constructively provide convenient operation during installation / disassembly

This group of mounting hardware refers to insulated products. The tail of the terminals is covered with insulating material. Depending on the rated power of the terminal strip for connecting the wires, the insulator has a corresponding color.

Electrical terminal insulators for conductors with a cross section of up to 2 mm are painted in blue, the rest (from 2 to 6.64 mm) - in yellow.

Option # 4 - Clutch Retainers

Another type of connecting fittings is a coupling contact retainer made in the form of a metal tube.

The so-called coupling terminal. Available in various configurations, including under power crimping. In the figure, a terminal block construction capable of withstanding high currents

Couplings are designed for mounting on electrical conductors with a cross section of 0.25 - 16.78 mm.

Fixing is carried out by force crimping of a part of the tube or by means of bolts screwed into threaded holes on the coupling body. As a rule, crimp couplings are not used for connecting single-core wires.

Foreign Products

In recent years, the market has been filled with foreign-made terminal blocks. We must pay tribute: technologically foreign designs look more advanced than domestic products. It’s more convenient to work with them - faster and easier to make connections.

But from the point of view of the reliability of the connections made by a foreign product, not everything is so simple. In this regard, a domestic product often looks preferable. However, consider some examples.

Noteworthy electric company terminals Wago. The engineers of the company invented several attractive designs, where the ordinary terminal turns into a convenient interface for connecting: Push wire, Power cage clamp, Cage clamp.

Connector # 1 - Push Wire

Technology Push wire based on the use of the stiffness properties of the electrical conductor, due to which they get a completely reliable contact.

This type of terminal block is most suitable for working with a single-wire cable. Indeed, a quick way to connect Push Wire provides unconditionally.

The product of a well-known German company is a modification called Push wire. User-friendly variation of the terminal block single and group design

Just enough strip part of the wire (10-15 mm) and with a small effort push the stripped end into the terminal. And to just as quickly remove the conductor, it must be pulled out while scrolling around its axis.

Two types of Push Wire connectors have been developed:

1. Under a single conductor.
2. Under a group of conductors.

The group connection configuration is designed to work with wires of less rigidity than in the case of a single version. A slightly different construction of the mechanical clamp is used here.

To allow access to the conductor entry holes, you must apply some force to the push button. There are also models Push wire without a button - under the push action with a screwdriver.

Connector # 2 - Universal Power cage clamp

This terminal block belongs to the category of universal development. It is made for any type of electric wire with a cross section of 6 - 95 mm.

Constructively Power cage clamp It is a so-called double cage, where there is a spring press and a current-carrying bus.

Universal terminal for connecting conductors of different cross-sections. An engineering solution that provides reliable close contact. This type of connecting accessory can be used on the installation of lines of different capacities.

The electrical conductors are connected to such terminals using a hex key. By rotating the key, the spring is pressed, the end of the wire is inserted under the press, then the key is turned counterclockwise. As a result, the press is lowered and reliably presses the inserted end of the wire.

Connector # 3 - Stacked Cage clamp

It is unique, patented. Wago, a product that has received the characteristics of a type-setting terminal block for wires. WAGO terminal blocks are designed for installation on wires with a cross section of 0.5 - 35 mm.

They are well suited not only for working with a single-core wire, but also with multi-core wires, regardless of the degree of thinness of individual cores.

The simplest but effective design of the terminal block from the company WAGO. The figure shows an open type design, but in practice you usually have to deal with typesetting terminal blocks of a buried type

Is acting Cage clamp simple: with a screwdriver (or a special lever in other versions), the spring clip is lifted, the wire is inserted under the current-carrying bus, and then the clip is lowered into place. This product is type self-locking terminal blocks.

Despite the simplicity of the design, the manufacturer claims: the clamping force on the contact is automatically adjusted and directly depends on the cross-section of the wire.

Connector # 4 - Cage clamp S

An option for a wire connector is almost the same as the product described above. But the design Cage clamp s still somewhat different. The peculiarity of the “S” modification is manifested by the ability to work with this type of terminal without using any electrician tools.

Plus, the type-setting terminal block of the “S” modification is designed for conductors of sufficiently high rigidity - multicore and single-core. It is also permissible to connect wires with metal terminals to the terminal.

Working with Cage clamp S is very simple: the end (stripped) part of the conductor is inserted with some force until it stops, after which the connection is established.

A modified version of the Cage clamp S wireline connector (Fig. 3). Differs in more convenient operation. Allows you to effortlessly create a wire connection and just as easy to perform dismantling

Connecting terminals for wires from the Cage clamp S series have found a place in almost all modifications of group multi-row terminal blocks.

They are conveniently used for the installation of numerous low-current electrical lines. However, the successfully closed Cage clamp S design is also used in high current circuits.

The principle of operation of terminal blocks from the series of modified designs “S” is shown here. Step-by-step depicts the process of making wire connections using a screwdriver

There are two modifications of the “S” construction completely enclosed in insulation. One involves securing the wire when wringing the plate in the front direction. Another is designed to perform lateral pressure with a screwdriver on a spring plate.

Screw Connectors

Screw connectors, which are essentially a variation of a tubular (sleeve) product, are widespread in the electrical industry. They are made in the form of a rectangular tube, but having a rounded (oval) bottom.

On the upper plateau of such a tube there are threaded holes where the locking screws are screwed. The whole structure is enclosed in kapron insulation. Through channels are made for access to the screws in the insulation body. There are two types of terminal blocks for connecting wires - single and group.

The design (one of many) of the screw terminal block for connecting electrical wires. Closed Coupling Option DIN Rail Mountable

Screw terminal blocks for connecting wires are inherent in:

• pronounced mechanical strength;
• the ability to work with cables with a cross section up to 25 mm;
• use in circuits of low currents and power.

It’s easy to work with this type of connector.

The end parts of the wires are inserted inside the brass tube and the locking screws (usually two screws) are screwed in. In turn, the screws press the conductor to the bottom of the metal tube.

In addition to terminals, there are alternative methods for connecting wires. For more information on using terminal blocks and other non-soldering methods, see this article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The presented video material will expand your knowledge about the types of terminals and how to install them.

Electrical work is rarely done without the use of the described accessories. It would seem that these are small parts that can be easily abandoned, replacing the technological connection with the usual twisting of wires.

But The practice of electrical engineering is marked by a mass of cases when it is a banal twist of conductors instead of a reliable terminal connection that leads to tragic consequences.

Have experience using terminals for connecting wires? Or have questions about the topic? Please share your opinion and leave comments. The communication unit is located below.