Terminal Block Symbol

What is a Terminal Block?

A terminal block is a modular, insulated connector designed to connect two or more wires. It is also commonly used to connect wiring to the ground.

Types of Terminal Blocks

Terminal blocks are classified according to the type of device they connect to or by the application. Here are some common examples:

• Disconnect block: This block is designed to provide electrical connections that allow for the easy breaking and connecting of circuits. As such, they typically contain a lever, switch, or similar mechanism by which users can break or reconnect the circuit without unscrewing the wires.
• Fuse terminal block: This block has a fuse built directly into the enclosure to protect the circuits. As such, it does not require any other overcurrent protection device as the block provides a direct continuity between the input and output wires.
• Ground terminal block: This block directly connects wires to the earth, providing an effective and secure ground connection.
• Power distribution block: This block helps distribute power from one main source to several circuits or devices, providing a single point for multiple connections.

Terminal Block Structure Types

Each terminal block has a different structure type for connecting wires:

• Single-feed through: The most basic structure type for terminal blocks, providing direct wire-to-wire connection.
• Dual-level: This structure features two levels of contacts for simplified wiring and panel space saving.
• Three-level: Similar to dual-level but with an extra stacked layer of contacts.
• High-density: A series of terminals connected together in a long strip. These are designed for high-density wiring/connections in mind.

Advantages of Using a Terminal Block

Terminal blocks offer many benefits to engineers and technicians:

• Cost-effectiveness: Terminal blocks are cheaper compared to other types of connectors.
• Flexibility: Terminal blocks have high modifiability, allowing for easy addition or removal of wires.
• Reduced space usage: Investing in multi-level terminal blocks can halve panel space usage, due to having multiple levels of circuits with that single block.
• Increased safety: Terminal blocks can improve safety by grounding, isolating, and protecting the other components in an electrical circuit.
• Easy installation: Most terminal blocks can be installed using a screwdriver. Some also have fast and easy connection/disconnection which helps with both maintenance and troubleshooting.

What is a Terminal Block Symbol?

A terminal block symbol is a graphical representation of a wire connection point on a schematic drawing. It provides an easier means of finding where terminals are on a circuit diagram, making maintenance and troubleshooting easier. Additionally, it serves as a universally recognised reference for engineers, electricians, and technicians to follow, enhancing communication between parties. In turn, this will improve productivity and workflow speed and ensure that the diagram is accurate to the desired specifications.

Make Drawing Terminal Block Symbols Easier With Capital X Panel Designer!

The complexity of some terminal block symbols can make drawing them out difficult. Fortunately, you can skip the design process entirely with Capital X Panel Designer! This electrical CAD software comes with a library of pre-made IEC symbols that you can simply drag and drop into your schematic layout, significantly boosting your production speed.

Learn more about how to create custom electrical symbols.