Chapter 7. Terminals and Connectors
Most electronics books and how-to guides spend a lot of time inside the box, but how do you get the box hooked up? Taking a look behind any stack of electronic stuff and what do you see? Wires and cables! On each end of each wire and cable is a connector or some terminals. As a successful electronic-er, you'll need to know how to select, create, maintain, and repair those simple-but-crucial items that get the signals and the juice where they need to go. In this chapter, we take a look at several common wire-cable-connector combinations. Dozens more are possible, but if you learn these basic techniques, you'll be able to figure out others easily.
One consideration that applies to all such combinations: Use the right wire or cable. If you're working with digital data or audio signals, you'll need to use a data or audio cable if you want the data to flow fast and the audio to remain crisp and clear. If the cables and connectors are important to making a good quality connection, the equipment manufacturer will specify what to use; usually in an operating or user manual.
Crimp Terminals and Tools
As electrical appliances and machines became widespread, electricians and engineers tried a lot of different ways to make reliable connections in power and control circuits: ...
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