FASTON terminals or faston terminals are connectors that are widely used in electronic and electrical equipment. These terminals are manufactured by many companies, commonly using the terms "quick disconnect", "quick connect", "tab" terminals, "spade" terminals or

blade connector Components of an electrical circuit are electrically connected if an electric current can run between them through an electrical conductor. An electrical connector is an electromechanical device used to create an electrical connection between ...

s; without qualifiers, the first two could be mistaken for plumbing connections.

Description

The terminals are often called "quick disconnect" because the predecessors were screw terminals, which took longer to disconnect. The name "tab" terminals is a description of the shape of the male terminal. Six series are covered in one of TE's catalogs (which omits the , but mentions it elsewhere), named after their blade width in mils. Insulated versions of the terminals are color-coded to indicate what

wire gauge Wire gauge is a measurement of wire diameter. This determines the amount of electric current the wire can safely carry, as well as its electrical resistance and weight. Types of wire gauge Wire gauges may be broadly divided into two groups, t ...

s they may be used with. The terminal system consists of tabs (male) and receptacles (female). There are free-hanging wire and

circuit board A printed circuit board (PCB), also called printed wiring board (PWB), is a laminated sandwich structure of conductive and insulating layers, each with a pattern of traces, planes and other features (similar to wires on a flat surface) ...

mounted versions of both tabs and receptacles. All widths come mostly in one of two tab thicknesses: . A

hand tool A hand tool is any tool that is powered manual labour, by hand rather than a motor. Categories of hand tools include wrenches, pliers, cutter (disambiguation), cutters, File (tool), files, hammer, striking tools, chisel, struck or hammered tools, ...

exists for inserting the terminals: the AMP Universal Handle. They have been commonly used since the 1970s. Faston is a trademark.

Specifications

* PIDG (Pre-Insulated Diamond Grip) FASTON (Nylon) terminals are defined in AMP Specification 114-1002: Terminal, FASTON, PIDG, Application of * PLASTI-GRIP (Vinyl) (insulation restricting) terminals are defined in AMP Specification 114-1003: Terminal, FASTON, PLASTI-GRIP, Application of * UL 310 "Standard for Electrical Quick-Connect Terminals" * CSA 22.2 #153, "Quick-Connect Terminals" * UL 486 also specifies the testing of standard wire connectors and soldering lugs. * MIL-T-7928

Crimp styles

Four main styles of crimps are specified by AMP: * "F" Crimp for use on non-insulated connectors * TETRA-CRIMP for use on insulated PIDG and PLASTI-GRIP connectors * "C" Crimp, typically used for flag connectors (where the wire enters the connector perpendicular to the direction of tab insertion) * Tab-Lok, typically used for flag connectors

Wire gauge insulation colors

The colors are not for signal or polarity identification, but specify their compatible wire size range in AWG (or equivalent metric cross-sectional area):

Sizes and ratings

375 series

male tab width * , (continuous)

312 series

male tab width * , (continuous) * , (continuous) * , (continuous) * , (continuous) * , (continuous)

250 series

male tab width * 10 AWG, (continuous) * 12 AWG, (continuous) * 14 AWG, (continuous) * 16 AWG, (continuous) * 18 AWG, (continuous) * 20 AWG, (continuous) * 22 AWG, (continuous)

205 series

male tab width * 14 AWG, (continuous) * 16 AWG, (continuous) * 18 AWG, (continuous) * 20 AWG, (continuous) * 22 AWG, (continuous)

187 series

male tab width * 16 AWG, (continuous) * 18 AWG, (continuous) * 20 AWG, (continuous) * 22 AWG, (continuous)

125 series

male tab width

110 series

male tab width * 16 AWG, (continuous) * 18 AWG, (continuous) * 20 AWG, (continuous) * 22 AWG, (continuous)

References

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External links

te.com
FASTON, PIDG, AMP and PLASTI-GRIP are trademarks
Stocko-Contact.com
Electrical power connectors