The mechanical and electrical interface at the end of a wire or on the body of a component designed to attach to an external circuit. Terminals can take many forms, from simple metal pins on a microchip to large screw-down lugs on a power supply. They provide a reliable, conductive junction for signals or power to enter or exit a device.
Heard on the job
Crimp a ring lug onto that heavy gauge wire before you bolt it to the ground terminal.
Related terms
Connector
An electromechanical device used to join electrical terminations and create an electrical circuit.
Crimp
To mechanically deform a metal connector around a wire to create a secure electrical connection.
Socket
A mechanical and electrical receptacle designed to hold and connect a removable component.