A brief analysis of the differences between terminal blocks, connectors and connectors
The usage range, functions and application fields of terminal blocks, connectors and connectors are as follows:
Conceptual differences
Terminal block: an electrical accessory that facilitates wire connection. Metal conductors are encapsulated in insulating plastic parts, and there are holes for inserting wires at both ends. If two wires need to be connected or disconnected, terminal blocks can be used to easily connect them without soldering or wrapping.
Connector: Also known as the plug-in connector, it is a component commonly used by electronic engineering technicians. Also known as plugs and sockets, they connect two active devices to transmit current or signals.
Connector: Positioning connector, consisting of a plug-in and a connector, which can be completely separated. Similar to a switch, circuit switching is achieved by changing the contact state, but the connector only has two states: insertion and removal, and cannot be switched on the body.
Scope difference
Connectors and connectors: Connectors are the connection between wires and wires, and connectors are the connection between wires and boards and boxes. In daily life, people often regard the two as the same concept.
Terminals and connectors: Connector is a general term, and terminals are one type of connector category. Common connectors include rubber shells and terminals. The rubber shell is mainly made of plastic and plays a protective role; the terminals are made of metal and play a conductive role.
Relationship between the three: In the field of electrician and electrical, connector and connector (or plug-in connector) refer to the same concept. In layman’s terms, they are devices that can be quickly connected by plugging and unplugging by hand. Terminal blocks require tools (such as screwdrivers, and cold press pliers) to assist in connection, and are generally used for power input and output.
Application differences
Connectors are widely used in various industries. Specific classifications include rectangular connectors, circular connectors, ladder connectors, etc. Terminal blocks are used in the electronic and electrical fields, such as internal and external connections of PCB circuit boards, printed boards and power distribution cabinets.
The scope of use of terminal blocks is expanding day by day, and there are many types. Common ones include PCB board terminals, hardware terminals, nut terminals, spring terminals, etc. In the power industry, there are special terminal strips and terminal boxes for various types of terminal blocks, such as single-layer, double-layer, current, voltage, ordinary, breakable, etc.
In short, connectors, terminal blocks, and connectors belong to the same concept, but they are used in different actual scenarios and have their own characteristics and advantages.