Barrier terminal blocks ease installation and improve safety

Original style barrier terminals have a long-standing usage in the electrical and electronic industries where a wire to PCB connection is required. In its basic form, the design is a very solid, reliable type of terminal block offering easy connectivity and simple assembly. However Euroclamp, who also manufacture their own version of this basic design (the MT21), noticed that although the product has some benefits, there are drawbacks, so they proceeded to design out the problems, hence the MT17.

In today’s health and safety conscious world, a major drawback to more traditional barrier terminal blocks is the lack of touch proof terminals. So-called improved designs may have a touch proof cover, but this has to be removed to access the terminal. One of the biggest benefits of the MT17 barrier terminal block is the integration of touch proof terminals. The MT17 has been manufactured in such a way that the barrier has an IP20 rating i.e. ‘touch Proof’. This touch proofing is non-removable thus preventing loss or possible electrocution. Also the MT17 has been designed so the ‘touch proofing’ still enables access to the screw without having to remove it, facilitating easier wiring and faster build times.

Another drawback of the traditional style of terminal block is that if the terminal screw is loosened too far, it can be removed or lost. Euroclamp designed the MT17’s touch proofing system with a retaining screw. So there is no possibility of removal of the screw and/or accidental loss of the same. Again, this feature leads to easier installation and faster builds times.

Barrier terminal blocks feature a clamp style terminal that provides easier insertion of cables, and eases installation. Although Euroclamp has redesigned the barrier style terminals block they have incorporated this key feature, accepting 2 x 1.5mm2 (2 x 16AWG) wire section.

Showing versatility, the Euroclamp MT17 range from Switchtec is available with various options. These include horizontal or vertical PCB mounting, single or double PCB pins, flanges for screw fixing and also a version with solder tabs instead of PCB pins. MT17 terminal blocks are available as 2 or 3 way units complete with dovetails for interlocking to form longer lengths. Also available are dedicated multiple pole versions.

An option - applicable to any Euroclamp terminal block - is the ability to specify different colours. The MT17 is black as standard, but grey, green, blue, red and yellow are also available.

Barrier terminal blocks are a popular item that is available from many suppliers, but the MT17 style of barrier terminal blocks with IP20 touch proofing and screw retention is specific to Euroclamp, available from Switchtec.