Some practitioners who are new to the connector industry cannot distinguish the conceptual differences, scope of ownership, and practical application differences between "connectors", "terminal blocks", and "connectors". Here is a detailed introduction to the differences among the three:



1、 Firstly, to distinguish the conceptual differences between "connector", "terminal block", and "plug-in", please refer to the technical article sharing. Please click on the scope and application differences of the concepts of "connector", "terminal block", and "plug-in"?



(1) Connector, also known as CONNECTOR. Also known as a plug-in connector. It is a component that electronic engineering technicians often come into contact with. Also known as connectors, plugs, and sockets domestically. Generally refers to electrical connectors. A device that connects two active components and transmits current or signals.



(2) A connector is a positioning joint that connects electronic circuits, consisting of two parts: a plug and a connector. In general, they can be completely separated. The similarity between a switch and a connector is that they achieve the purpose of converting the circuit they are connected to by changing the contact state of their contact pairs. The essential difference is that a connector only has two states: insertion and removal. A switch can achieve circuit conversion on its body, while a connector cannot achieve conversion on its body. The contact pairs of a connector have a fixed corresponding relationship. Therefore, a connector can also be called a connector.



(3) Terminal block, also known as Terminal in English. It is a type of accessory product used to achieve electrical connections, which is classified as a connector in industry. The terminal block is used for the convenience of wire connection. It is actually a metal piece sealed in insulating plastic, with holes at both ends for inserting wires. Terminal blocks can be divided into WUK terminal blocks, European terminal block series, plug-in terminal block series, etc.



2、 Distinguish "connectors", "wiring terminals", and "connectors" based on their scope of ownership

(1) 'Connector=connector' is the first major category, and wiring terminals are just one type of connector in the 'connector' category. What is the difference between connectors and connectors? A connector is a connection between wires; Connectors are the connections between wires, boards, and boxes. In real life, people often vaguely refer to the same thing.



(2) The terminal is part of the connector. Connectors are a general term, in fact, the connectors we commonly see usually include two parts: housing and terminal. Housing is mostly made of plastic for protection, while the terminal is made of metal for conductivity.



(3) In the field of electrical engineering, connectors, plug connectors, and connectors are the same product. Simply put, it refers to something that can be quickly connected by inserting or twisting a male or female head with your hand without the need for tools. A terminal block, in layman's terms, is a type of device that requires tools such as a screwdriver or cold press pliers to connect two things together. It is generally used for power input and output. The English name is Terminal.



3、 Distinguish between "connectors", "terminal blocks", and "connectors". In practical applications, electrical connectors, also known as connectors, are a subdivision of electronic components mainly used for connecting circuits. In industrial production, circuit connections can be said to be ubiquitous, so the use of connectors is certainly very extensive and applied in various industries. Connectors are divided into many categories, such as rectangular connectors, circular connectors, stepped connectors, etc. Terminal blocks are a type of connector, generally belonging to rectangular connectors. The application scope of terminal blocks is also relatively limited, generally used in the field of electronics and electrical engineering, for the internal and external wiring of PCB circuit boards, printed boards, and distribution cabinets.



The usage range of terminal blocks is increasing, and the types are also becoming more diverse. Currently, in addition to PCB board terminals, the most widely used ones include hardware terminals, nut terminals, spring terminals, etc. In the power industry, there are specialized terminal blocks and boxes filled with wiring terminals, including single-layer, double-layer, current, voltage, ordinary, and breakable ones.



In general, "connectors," "wiring terminals," and "connectors" are different forms of application that belong to the same concept and are commonly referred to according to different practical applications.