What are electrical terminals and splices?
Terminals and splices are types of connector that are used with wires and cables to either join them together or connect to a component to allow the electrical current to be used.
What is the difference between a terminal and a splice?
Splices are used to typically join two conductor ends together without a mechanical connection.
Terminals are used to "terminate" a conductor mechanically by crimping or soldering to a component.
Selecting a terminal
They are available in shapes, materials and mounting types. There are also specific colour codes to them that designate the wire size. When choosing a terminal, here are some points to consider:
- Receptacle size
- Wire/cable size
- Wire type
- termination method
- Terminal orientation
- Insulation type
- Operating temperature
- Terminal material