Terminal (electronics)

Short description: Connection point in electronic circuits

Terminal symbol A terminal strip, to which wires can be soldered

A terminal is the point at which a conductor from a component, device or network comes to an end.[1] Terminal may also refer to an electrical connector at this endpoint, acting as the reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected.[2][3] A terminal may simply be the end of a wire or it may be fitted with a connector or fastener.[citation needed]

In network analysis, terminal means a point at which connections can be made to a network in theory and does not necessarily refer to any physical object. In this context, especially in older documents, it is sometimes called a pole. On circuit diagrams, terminals for external connections are denoted by empty circles.[4] They are distinguished from nodes or junctions which are entirely internal to the circuit, and are denoted by solid circles.[5]

All electrochemical cells have two terminals (electrodes) which are referred to as the anode and cathode or positive (+) and negative (-). On many dry batteries, the positive terminal (cathode) is a protruding metal cap and the negative terminal (anode) is a flat metal disc (see Battery terminal). In a galvanic cell such as a common AA battery, electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, while the conventional current is opposite to this.[6]

## Types of terminals

* Connectors
* Line splices
* Terminal strip, also known as a tag board or tag strip
* Solder cups or buckets
* Wire wrap connections (wire to board)
* Crimp terminals (ring, spade, fork, bullet, blade)
* Turret terminals for surface-mount circuits
* Crocodile clips
* Screw terminals and terminal blocks
* Wire nuts, a type of twist-on wire connector
* Leads on electronic components
* Battery terminals, often using screws or springs
* Electrical polarity

## See also

* Electrical connector \- many terminals fall under this category
* Electrical termination \- a method of signal conditioning

## References

1. ↑ Davis, Larry (4 January 2012). "Definitions of Technical Terms - 'T' to 'Ter'". http://www.interfacebus.com/Glossary-of-Terms_T.html.
2. ↑ Connectors - Technologies and Trends. ZVEI - German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association. August 2016. p. 51. https://www.zvei.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Presse_und_Medien/Publikationen/2016/November/Connectors_Technologies-and-Trends_engl/2016-11_Imagebroschuere_Steckverbinder_engl.pdf.
3. ↑ Barach, John. "Dictionary of Automotive Terms". Dictionary of Automotive Terms. https://dictionary.babylon-software.com/science/engineering/dictionary-of-automotive-terms/.
4. ↑ "Circuit Symbols for Wires, Cables, Switches, Connectors". https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/analogue_circuits/circuits-symbols-diagrams/wires-switches-connectors.php.
5. ↑ Electronics Symbols Handbook. Cleveland Institute of Electronics. p. 6. https://www.cie-wc.edu/Electronics_Symbols_Handbook_CIE.pdf. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
6. ↑ "An introduction to redox equilibria". Chemguide. http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/redoxeqia/introduction.html#top. Retrieved 4 July 2019.

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