Can anyone tell me the proper name for these terminals (picture)? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ttodorov
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 04:59:27 pm
content: Hello,I have been trying to find PCB terminals for AC receptacles as shown in the attached picture, identified by red arrows. I visited Mouser, DigiKey, Newark, and LCSC, but my searches produced anything but the desired results. I have tried all kinds of combinations of the wordsterminal,contact,pin,AC,socket,receptacle, and some other obscure variants, and applied filtering like high voltage/high current, PCB, solder, through-hole, etc, but to no avail. Got all kinds of other connectors and pins, but did not hit the right category for this type of contacts.If anyone knows the correct nomenclature for these, and whether they are available for general purchase somewhere, please let me know. If you have a link to a product page or a data sheet, it would be highly appreciated!Thanks!

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 05:14:42 pm
content: The usual place I go to for similar connectors is Keystone (https://www.keyelco.com/index.cfm)I didn't find exactly what you show. Something similar is the "SMT edge connector female." Another term to use for Google is automotive blade fuse connector and variations thereon.The one in the rear doesn't have two leaves. It may be for another purpose.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 05:19:10 pm
content: With components crowded around them like that, 'deathtrap' would be a good description.They're a lot like fuseholders.https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fuseholder+clip&t=brave&iax=images&ia=imagesIf something like that isn't suitable, you could try their manufacturers for something more specific.Small metal forms are often made to suit the job, though - they may not be off-the-shelf items.

author: 807
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 05:28:23 pm
content: The contact with the single leaf is for the round Earth pin. The other 2 are for the flat pins (live & neutral).The only place I can find something similar is on Alibaba, but a minimum order of 500 pcs (plus postage)! They are screw fitting though, not PCB fitting.https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Free-custom-electrical-socket-contacts-brass_60594187211.html

author: ttodorov
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 06:00:49 pm
content: Quote from: 807 on November 24, 2022, 05:28:23 pmThey are exactly right! Mine have the hole at the bottom as well, I guess to make easier for the molten solder to flow from the pad to tent on the upper side of the contact, as to have a stronger joint and carry more current...Now only the single leaf contact is missing. At first I thought that the earth contact was the same as the live/neutral one, just one leaf chopped off. But alas, its a bit wider than the double leaf contact, so still looking.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2022, 11:38:20 pm
content: My first thought, seeing picture, was:'Knife Edge Connector' but maybe 'Blade Edge'.Looks like recent posts got it right.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 08:32:18 am
content: Search for "PCB Spring Contacts". It seems a common name for these components. Is it official, I doubt it?

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 09:00:34 am
content: NEMA 5-15R sockets are commonly available. If all you need is one or two sets, look at some at local hardware stores to see if they have sockets that contain the contacts you would need. And remove them from the sockets. Look at other NEMA sockets as well because the manufacturers often use the same contacts across a line of sockets.If you need a large quantity, there are manufacturers, mostly in China, that make them. You could start with some phone calls to some electric suppliers, local and around the US. Ask if they can source them or if they have any contacts who can.

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 09:13:12 am
content: A quick search for electric contacts yielded an almost non-ending number of hits. Here is the results for pictures of the contacts:https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALiCzsYkiYPyt1ApaZLmDzPyNr2W9veQaA:1669367394030&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=Electric+contacts&client=firefox-b-1-d&fir=dtD_OpvFUkxBYM%252CLKZNu0-lxRHqqM%252C_%253BKg0PmWSt4qGimM%252CVSTx6ercQ08MXM%252C_%253BonIKSY3-0-z3KM%252Cvxng7ls9rrqrcM%252C_%253BMH9IRx7ydb0SdM%252CxaxgNUJL-zgd6M%252C_%253B512XlmBKOykqqM%252CkK3uneMTCRKVMM%252C_%253B32Ug-C0kfkat_M%252CSZP4erkaItkrKM%252C_%253BeX9pNYIVODirZM%252CKjB0vdkuxKNCAM%252C_%253B_PuH-Y6eowdXmM%252ClaNqOd_1b6lOxM%252C_%253BdEFpA4HAizsWuM%252C_OPtLUHLIYBwhM%252C_%253BwzenycEi73lLpM%252Cwsb5WvQ8mApWqM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQ-Q3GkmTZmsnqLqmtP-uiMnqUWlA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZ_JSU_sj7AhWnm2oFHb3oDiYQjJkEegQIDRAC&biw=1662&bih=859&dpr=1That should keep you busy for a few minutes.

author: xmris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2022, 10:55:51 am
content: as an alternative , hack them off from a spare mains extension ?As I understand they are the same , the hole into the middle is used for the rivets to bolt the receptacle with the power rails.