What are blade terminals? 

Blade terminals, also called crimp blade terminals, refer to specialised, single-wire, solderless electrical connections designed to terminate stranded wires in an electrical system. 

One end of the terminal possesses a blade-like metal cradle. Stripped wires are inserted within this cradle. The other end of the terminal resembles a Y-shaped connection, which remains connected to a power source. A crimp tool cold welds the stripped wires into the blade terminals, thereby terminating them.

Types

Blade terminals are usually available in two different varieties. These are: 

• Insulated terminals: These types of blade terminals possess a funnel shaped sleeve. Made of PVC, the crimp barrel of an insulated blade terminal is used to completely insert the wire strands.
• Non-insulated terminals: These types of blade terminals possess no sleeves and are less bulky. They are primarily used for PCBs.

Importance of blade terminals

Blade terminals are important components of a lot of electrical appliances present in our home. For example, they can be found in electric lights and similar fixtures. There are certain reasons as to why blade terminals are so important. These include:

• Blade terminals can crimp cables with both large and small cross-sections, making them more flexible for a wide range of applications. 
• They protect against corrosion by providing gas-tight connections. 
• These types of terminals do not require any soldering, thereby providing a more effortless yet robust connection.