Terminal (electronics)
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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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
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 Template:Crossreference. 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
- Electrical connector – many terminals fall under this categoryScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- Electrical termination – a method of signal conditioningScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
References
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