8/11/2020 Terminal (electronics) - Wikipedia

Terminal (electronics)
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
Terminal
the reusable interface to a conductor and
symbol 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. A terminal strip, to which wires can
be soldered
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, 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 . 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
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_(electronics) 1/2
8/11/2020 Terminal (electronics) - Wikipedia

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

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