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Terminal Blocks - Wire to Board

Terminal Blocks, also known as terminal boards, or board-to-wire connectors, are electrical connectors, most commonly used in electronics on printed circuit boards in low voltage applications. The terminal blocks are designed to be mounted on a PCB and provide the most frequently used electrical connection between components and the PCB. They are used to join two wire bundles or conductors together, usually to allow a circuit to be connected or disconnected easily.

The term ‘terminal block’ describes a general product family that provides a means of quickly connecting a conduit carrying two or more wires to a PCB, allowing the user to jumper a circuit in a comercial or industrial application. Many different styles are available, from simple two wire L type connectors to heavy-duty 64 position blocks.

Terminal blocks fall into two categories; wire-to-wire and wire-to-board. The main difference between the two is that wire-to-board terminal blocks are used when two different connection points (PCB and wire) are to be connected, whereas wire-to-wire terminal blocks simply join two wires together, thus forming a suspension point for a conductor or wire bundle.

Terminal Blocks - Wire to Board Working Principle

The working principle of the wire-to-board terminal blocks is quite straightforward. First, the connector block ‘end’ is inserted into the PCB, and the corresponding connector is then inserted into the terminal block. This will form an electrical connection between the two wires and the component connected to the PCB. Once all the cables have been connected, the terminal block can be secured in place, ensuring that all the wires are securely held in position and that the correct current path is established.

The current passes through the connector block in order to reach the connected component, such as an LED, an electronic sensor, a relay etc. Additionally, the terminal block will also normally contain slots with corresponding pins that will allow for an electrical pathway in order to make the current pass between the connected cable and the component.

The same principle applies to larger terminal blocks, such as those designed to withstand high loads. In this case, the pins have been replaced by terminals that are designed to provide an electrical connection and sustain a high current. These terminal blocks are usually designed with larger pins and terminals which helps to reduce the amount of resistance or voltage drop along the connection.

For most applications, the wire-to-board terminal blocks will provide an effective way to connect two different items, eliminating the need for additional components. They are also designed for ease of use and with safety in mind, ensuring that users are able to safely and easily complete any wiring job.