Terminal (electronics)

Connection point in electronic circuits

For other uses, see Terminal (disambiguation).

"Pole (electrical circuits)" redirects here. For the poles of switches, see Switch § Contact terminology.

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

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* 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

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* Electrical connector – many terminals fall under this category[citation needed]
* Electrical termination – a method of signal conditioning[citation needed]

## References

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1. ^ Davis, Larry (4 January 2012). "Definitions of Technical Terms - 'T' to 'Ter'". Electronic Engineering Dictionary. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
2. ^ Connectors - Technologies and Trends (PDF). ZVEI - German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association. August 2016. p. 51.
3. ^ Barach, John. "Terminal definition by Babylon's free dictionary". Babylon NG. terminal n 2. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019.
4. ^ "Circuit Symbols for Wires, Cables, Switches, Connectors". Electronics Notes. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
5. ^ Electronics Symbols Handbook (PDF). Cleveland Institute of Electronics. p. 6. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
6. ^ "An introduction to redox equilibria". Chemguide. Retrieved 4 July 2019.

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