How to select a terminal block

All of the terminal blocks within Eaton’s portfolio have a couple of common components that are found across the different styles. These components, while varying in shape and size, perform the same basic function. The different forms allow the overall product to have a different fit, form and function. Following are the types and definitions of these components:

Terminal – Circuit path where wire engages and carries current through the housing. Typically made of a copper alloy.

Housing – Material that insulates conductive path from exterior and adjacent circuits. Generally made of plastic.

Fastener – Mechanism that applies force or ensures the wire is connected to terminal. Made of various metal alloys.

The features of the terminal, housing and fastener are also a factor in determining the electrical and mechanical specifications of the product.
These specifications are common across the Eaton product line and help define the fit, form and function of the terminal block as well.

Poles: The number of individual circuits, or adjacent terminals, contained within the terminal block.

Pitch: The distance from one pole to the next. It’s measured from one feature to the same feature on the adjacent pole with the distance typically being the same for all poles. This is also called center-to-center distance.

Voltage Rating: The maximum system voltage that the terminal block is designed to be installed within. Generally, this electrical specification is a function of the pitch and the dielectric strength of the housing. More detailed information on this can be found in the appendix concerning terminal block standards.

Current Rating: This is the maximum nominal current rating per pole that the terminal block is intended to be used. Generally, this electrical specification is a function of the cross-sectional area, conductivity of the terminal, and the resulting heat rise at rated current (per UL1059) or power dissipated at rated current (per IEC 60947-7).

Wire Range: The minimum and maximum wire sizes the terminal block is rated to accept.

Torque Rating: The maximum torque the hardware is designed to withstand while fastening a wire, within the wire range specification, to the terminal and not deform.

Now that the specifications are defined and the different options can be evaluated/compared, there are several things to consider when selecting the right terminal block for the application. Like most electronic circuits, the first items to evaluate are the circuit parameters of the application, including the nominal current, the system voltage, and the number of circuits needed. The current and voltage rating of the terminal block needs to be above the nominal current rating and system voltage.

Additional care should be taken when there are temporary voltage surges or inrush currents that can occur. The more frequent that these temporary overvoltages and overcurrents occur, the more that the terminal block should be oversized to meet the application needs. The number of circuits will directly correlate to the number of poles needed on the terminal block.

The next item, and very important for terminal blocks, is the terminal configuration. The equipment designer must evaluate how the circuit path will be completed on the “through” side of the connection. IEC-style terminal blocks are typically all short PCB solder connections for wave soldering. Barrier Strips also have short PCB solder connections, but also can have male quick connects, longer solder pins, hand wired for hand soldering, screw threads, solder turrets and more. The options for barrier strips will vary depending on what is logical based on the pitch. Edge connectors are often mechanically attached and provide a solderless connection with the terminals providing spring forces on PCB traces.

Occasionally, the overall footprint and wire entry is thought of as a function of the pitch or the overall width, but all three dimensions must be considered. The most common barrier strips offer many terminations in the same plastic base, but can allow for ring or fork terminals, female quick connects, and solder terminals in place of the standard bare wire terminals. See Figure 1 for an example of ring terminals accepted on barrier strips. Due to the different type of construction, IEC-styles offer many different wire entry orientations in the same pitch, resulting in different physical footprints, including space saving tiered options. There are also different options for fastening, including a cage clamp, spring clamp and screwless clamp. Edge connectors are unique in their footprint and wire entry, and can provide the best combination, depending on the assembly. All of these footprint and wire entry considerations have the goal of making the task of integrating into a piece of equipment or assembly easier. They should also allow for the end user to easily connect wires and manage where they fit around the assembly.

Lastly, after managing the above issues, there is always the opportunity to provide additional functionality. These additional features can ensure proper assembly for the OEM and proper installation for the end user with pole numbering or custom markings. Optional hardware can provide better corrosion resistance for some non-current carrying components for better aesthetics. Terminal block covers can provide better shock protection for the general public, but also better environmental protection in normal industrial environments.

 

Eaton does support custom options as the above requirements may require configurations that are not shown on the datasheet or catalog. Custom product could have special markings for ease of assembly or for the end user. The configuration of barrier strips allows for different fasteners to be installed on adjacent poles. When this is requested, a standard product will not suffice. A custom part number can be created to support this custom pole configuration.

Figure 5 demonstrates a customization of a barrier strip. This barrier strip has different 3/16” wide male quick connect extending from the fastening side of the terminal block. This allows a female quick connect to snap onto the male blade for fast assembly. This is just one form of customization that can be provided with terminal blocks. The barrier strips in Figure 6 show custom marking capabilities for different applications. These additional markings, performed at the factory, helps end users connect to the right wires to each block, reducing wiring errors in product integration.

Please contact Eaton for custom product availability and configuration.

After these items are considered and a candidate is selected, Eaton recommends that the terminal block is tested in the application under the same environmental conditions that the complete assembly would experience. This could be the ambient conditions, highest nominal current, temporary overvoltages or inrush currents, potential tension on wires, smallest wires the terminal block would see, having no airflow, and variability in solder joints. The goal would be to evaluate possible sources of heat and how to manage them. Eaton can support providing samples for testing purposes as recommended above.

Eaton’s electronic terminal blocks comply fully with UL 1059 and CSA 22.2 No. 158 terminal block standards and have UL 94 V-0 self-extinguishing flammability classification. The blocks are recognized under UL file number E62622. Ratings higher than those listed are possible and can vary, depending on the application and must be evaluated on a case by case, individual basis by the manufacturer.

UL 1059 & CSA 22.2 No. 158 Voltage Rating

Voltage ratings of terminal blocks are based on the minimum spacing between electrically conductive parts and a minimum withstand voltage. The spacing is measured under two conditions: 1) through air, defined as the shortest distance an arc must travel through an air path from one electrically conductive part to a grounded surface; and 2) over surface, defined as the shortest distance an arc must travel as it tracks along the surface of an insulating material from one electrically conductive part to another at opposite polarity or from an electrically conductive part to a grounded surface. The withstand voltage, termed dielectric withstand, is dependent on the voltage rating. The value is 1000 V plus twice the rated voltage for one minute; this is tested under both conditions listed above.
Table A provides the UL 1059 and CSA 22.2 NO 158 spacing requirements, in inches. Table B describes what voltage rating each Eaton family of terminal block is rated to, per the minimum spacing requirements and application environments described within UL 1059.

IEC Compliance

Eaton’s electronic terminal blocks comply with the requirements in IEC Publication 60947-7-1, Terminal Blocks for Copper Conductors. These blocks are concurrently recognized and certified under the UL Classification Program. Details of the IEC rating system is provided on the following page. Ratings, except where indicated, are concurrent with UL 1059.

CE

In 1998, Eaton received CE certification on all products. For terminal blocks, CE is a self-certification mark applied to products that have met safety and performance requirements set forth by the European Union (EU). This mark is required for free movement of product in the European market.

IEC 60947-7-1

Similar to UL1059 Classes, IEC 60947-7-1 refers to IEC60947-1 which outlines the general rules for low-voltage switchgear and control gear as well as defines creepage and clearance limits based on pollution degrees. The pollution degree refers to the environmental conditions for which the equipment is intended.

The micro-environment of the creepage distance or clearance, and not the environment of the equipment, determines the effect on insulation. The micro-environment might be better or worse than the environment of the equipment. It includes all factors influencing the insulation, such as climatic and electromagnetic conditions, generation of pollution, etc. Therefore, for equipment intended for use within an enclosure or provided with an integral enclosure, the pollution degree of the environment in the enclosure is applicable.

For purposes of evaluating clearances and creepage distances, the four degrees of pollution of the micro-environment are established:

• Pollution degree 1: No pollution or only dry, non-conductive pollution occurs.
• Pollution degree 2: Normally, only non-conductive pollution occurs. Occasionally, a temporary conductivity caused by condensation may be expected.
• Pollution degree 3: Conductive pollution occurs, or dry, non-conductive pollution occurs which becomes conductive due to condensation.
• Pollution degree 4: The pollution generates persistent conductivity caused, for instance, by conductive dust or by rain or snow.

Pollution degree 3 is the standard pollution degree for industrial applications, unless otherwise stated by the relevant product standard. However, other pollution degrees may be considered to apply depending on the particular application or micro-environment.

Impulse withstand voltage – highest peak value of an impulse voltage, of prescribed form and polarity, which does not cause breakdown under specified test conditions.

Comparative tracking index (CTI) – numerical value of the maximum voltage in volts at which a material withstands 50 drops of a test solution without tracking (clause 2.3 of IEC 60112)

• Material Group I 600 <= CTI
• Material Group II 400 <= CTI < 600
• Material Group IIIa 175 <= CTI < 400
• Material Group IIIb 100 <= CTI < 100

Homogeneous Field: electric field which has an essentially constant voltage gradient between electrodes, such as that between two spheres where the radius of each sphere is greater than the distance between them.

Inhomogeneous Field: electric field which does not have an essentially constant voltage gradient between electrodes.