Terminal blocks utilize a unique structural mechanism to actively compensate for installation gaps in panels of varying thicknesses. This feature offers significant advantages in scenarios requiring through-wall installation, such as power supplies, filters, and electrical control cabinets. Their core compensation principle combines elastic deformation with geometric adaptation, adjusting gaps through material deformation and structural coordination to ensure installation stability and reliable electrical connections.
The main structure of terminal blocks is typically made of high-strength insulating materials (such as modified PA66 nylon), which possesses both good mechanical strength and elasticity. In the area where the terminal contacts the panel, elastic clips or flexible flaps are designed. When the terminal is inserted into the pre-drilled hole in the panel, these elastic components deform to varying degrees depending on the panel thickness: if the panel is thinner, the clips or flaps expand outwards less; if the panel is thicker, the expansion is greater. This deformation process requires no external tools, relying solely on the material's own elastic restoring force, thus achieving automatic adaptation to panels of varying thicknesses from 1mm to 10mm.
To further enhance the flexibility of structural compensation, terminal blocks often employ a segmented design. For example, the main body may be divided into upper and lower parts, connected by a retractable connecting structure (such as a bellows or spring sheet). When the panel thickness changes, the upper and lower parts can adjust their relative positions through the expansion and contraction of the connecting structure, ensuring the overall fit between the terminal and the panel. This design not only expands the thickness compensation range but also avoids localized stress concentration caused by single-point force, improving installation stability.
In terms of electrical safety, terminal blocks optimize creepage distance and air gap through structural compensation. When terminals are installed side-by-side on panels of varying thicknesses, the gap between different terminals may decrease due to differences in panel thickness, increasing the risk of arcing. To address this, some H-type terminals integrate isolation plates or flange designs into the compensation structure. The isolation plates can adjust their position synchronously with terminal deformation, always maintaining the minimum safe distance between adjacent terminals; the flanges, by increasing surface height, can still maintain sufficient air gap even on thinner panels. These designs ensure that electrical safety performance always meets standard requirements when installed on panels of different thicknesses.
The structural compensation mechanism of terminal blocks also simplifies the installation process. Traditional terminal blocks often require changing matching washers or adjusting the depth of fixing screws when used with panels of varying thicknesses. H-type terminals, however, eliminate these steps through automatic compensation. Operators simply insert the terminal into the pre-drilled hole in the panel; its elastic structure automatically adjusts, and it can then be secured by locking the clips or fine-tuning the screws (if necessary). This "plug-and-play" feature significantly improves installation efficiency, making it particularly suitable for scenarios requiring frequent equipment replacement or adjustment.
In terms of material selection, the compensation structure of terminal blocks must balance elasticity and durability. Modified PA66 nylon is the preferred material due to its excellent impact resistance, heat resistance, and insulation properties, while metal components (such as conductive sheets and fixing screws) are mostly made of copper alloys or stainless steel to ensure conductivity and corrosion resistance. Some high-end models also feature tin or nickel plating on the metal surface to further enhance environmental resistance. These material choices provide a fundamental guarantee for the long-term stability of the structural compensation.
Terminal blocks achieve efficient compensation for installation gaps in panels of varying thicknesses through innovative designs such as elastic clips, segmented telescopic structures, and integrated isolation plates. Its core advantage lies in its organic integration of mechanical compatibility and electrical safety requirements, simplifying the installation process while ensuring the reliability and safety of the connection. This feature makes terminal blocks an indispensable component in electronic devices that require through-wall installation, and they are widely used in power supplies, filters, electrical control cabinets, and other fields.
