So you're all set up on this perfectly stormy night. Up in your tower, you've got the perfect creation waiting on the slab, ready to be pumped full of electricity and brought to life. He's a winning combination of brute strength and gentle heart (though he may be lacking a bit in the intelligence area). Igor is patiently hiding behind the nearest desk while you finally throw the switch and scream, "It's ALIVE!!!" But it isn't. It's just lying there with that same dumb look on its face. After all this preparation, you're looking a bit like a fool. As you check all the connections you realize some of the terminals have broken off of the ends of the wires, keeping the charge from flowing from your machinery into your monstrous creation. It's time for Igor to run to the nearest hardware store and get you a terminal kit so you'll never have this issue again.
What are Terminals and Kits?
Terminals are just a fancy word for the metal end of a wire (which is usually insulated with some sort of cover, but not always) that connects from an electrical component to external circuits. One simple example is a car jumper. The jumper itself would be the electrical component, and the terminal would be the clips on the end of the jumper cables. The external circuits are the circuits that power the other car's engine. Of course, all terminals don't have to be as big as those clips. They can be incredibly small metal hooks or any number of shapes, depending on what wires they are needed on.
Kits are just that, a large kit with varying sizes of terminals. These are really helpful if you find yourself doing a lot of electrical repair, this way you'll always have the right size on hand. Usually when installing terminals to the ends of wires, you will need a crimping tool to get the metal attached to the end of the wire. Sometimes you'll also need a wire stripper to cut the plastic and make more room for the terminal to be attached.
Different Types of Terminals
* '''Ring Terminals''' have for a ring or hole at the end of the terminal, so something can either be slipped into the hole or tied through and around the metal.
* '''Pogo Terminals''': Also known as a test probe, these connect electronic test equipment to something being tested, like a new phone or camera.
* '''Clips''': Clips do what they say, clip wires together. They are usually the best insulated.
* '''Screw Terminals''' actually screw in to whatever device they are connecting to, for a secure and safe fit. These are especially helpful in cases where you won't be removing them anytime soon.
* '''Tab Terminals''' are easily connected and disconnectedthey can be slid into place or clipped together.
