Termination cable connectors are used to connect or terminate wire terminals in a way that ensures a stable connection. They are designed to handle specific tasks such as bonding, grounding, or wiring to terminals. These connectors are standard in panels, junction boxes, and other setups where secure wiring is critical. In this article, let’s look at all the main types of these connectors.
Lug connectors
What are those? Metal connectors with a hole for attaching wires to the terminals.
Best for: Wiring large electrical equipment such as panels, junction boxes and service entrances. Lug connectors are often used in industrial and power distribution applications because they are robust in handling large currents.
Application example: Connecting large cables to the main breaker in the industrial electrical panel.
Loop stations
What are those? O-ring connectors fit with screws or bolts.
Best for: Create a stable, vibration-resistant connection in grounding applications, automotive wiring and control panels. Loop terminals prevent accidental disconnection due to movement or vibration by securing the connector.
Application example: Connect the ground wire to the vehicle chassis to obtain a stable electrical ground.
Spade terminals (fork terminals)
What are those? The connectors have a forked shape that allows them to slide under screws without removing them completely.
Best for: Applications that need to frequently connect and disconnect wires, such as control systems, instrumentation, and motor connections. The fork shape makes installation quick, especially in tight spaces.
Application example: Connects a wire to the screw terminal of the washing machine motor, allowing it to be quickly disconnected for repairs.
Butt connectors
What are those? Cylindrical connectors connect two wires end-to-end.
Best for: Connecting wires in automotive, marine and instrumentation applications when repairing or connecting them. Heat-shrink or insulated versions provide additional protection.
Application example: Fix a broken taillight wire in a car by connecting its two ends together.
Split bolt connectors
What are those? Heavy duty connectors with bolt and nut design. They are used to connect large gauge wires.
Best for: Connecting large gauge wires in grounding systems, power distribution, and industrial applications. It is commonly used for grounding, bonding and connecting many thick wires.
Application example: Connect several copper ground wires into the external transformer grounding system.
Terminal blocks
What are those? Modular blocks that have holes for multiple wires, usually housed inside an enclosure.
Best for: Regulation and distribution of power in control panels, circuit boards and junction boxes. Terminal blocks provide an easy way to manage complex wiring systems to facilitate troubleshooting and maintenance.
Application example: Connect and organize multiple sensor wires into the factory automation control panel to distribute power and signals to the central control unit.
Wire nuts (twisted connectors)
What are those? Plastic caps contain an internal metal coil that wraps around the wires to bind them together.
Best for: General household and light commercial wiring, especially when connecting two or more wires. They are easy to install and remove, making them a standard choice for residential wiring projects.
Application example: Connect wires together in a residential ceiling junction box to connect a new light fixture.
Crimp connectors
What are those? Connectors are attached to wires by crimping (squeezing) the metal sheath surrounding the wire.
Best for: Automotive and marine applications, where a strong, vibration-resistant connection is required. Crimp connectors come in various shapes (e.g., spade, loop, butt) and are ideal for environments where soldering is not possible.
Application example: Connect the vehicle’s ground wire to the chassis using a crimp connector in the vehicle’s electrical system.
Episodes
What are those? Small metal tubes that slide over the ends of the braided wires.
Best for: Prevent wear and provide a solid contact point for terminal blocks and screw terminals in industrial control systems. Ferrules create a reliable electrical connection, making it easy to insert stranded wires into terminals.
Application example: Inserting the ends of stranded wires into a terminal block of a programmable logic controller (PLC).
Heat shrink tubing
What are those? Plastic tubing, which shrinks when heated, seals and protects the connections.
Best for: Insulates and protects connections from moisture, dust and corrosion in automotive, marine and offshore settings.
Application example: Sealing a soldered connection in the vehicle’s wiring harness to prevent moisture damage.
Cable glands
What are those? Connectors secure cables entering the enclosures, protecting them from stress and environmental factors.
Best for: Securing cables and protecting them from stress, dust, and water ingress in industrial or outdoor environments.
Application example: Seal the power cable entry point into a weatherproof junction box for an outdoor security camera.
At NNC, you can find different types of cable connectors for termination, including Loop stations, spade connectors, Butt connectors, Crimp connectors, Cable glands, Wire nutset al.
