What Is a Pin-Type Cable Terminal? Types and Selection Criteria
A pin-type insulated cable terminal is a connection end with an insulated barrel crimped onto a stranded conductor and a solid round pin that goes into the terminal block entry.
A pin-type insulated cable terminal (pin terminal) is a connection end with an insulated barrel crimped onto a stranded conductor and, at the end of the barrel, a solid round pin that is inserted into the terminal block entry. In screw terminal blocks and contactor, relay and circuit breaker entries it keeps the strands of a stranded conductor from spreading under the screw; it is used in panel and machine wiring.
Pin-type terminal versus cable ferrule
A cable ferrule is a thin sleeve that slips over the strands; what enters the terminal is the strands compressed inside the sleeve. On a pin-type terminal, the part that enters the terminal is a solid metal pin, and the insulated barrel stays outside the terminal. Both do the same job; which one to use depends on the size of the terminal entry and the end types the terminal manufacturer allows.
Colour and cross-section
The colour of the insulated barrel shows the conductor cross-section:
| Colour | Conductor cross-section | Isıso | Gwest | KSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 0.5–1.5 mm² | PTV 1,25-10 | GIK-101 | KİK-101 |
| Blue | 1.5–2.5 mm² | PTV 2-10 | GIK-102 | KİK-102 |
| Yellow | 4–6 mm² | PTV 5,5-12 | GIK-106 | KİK-106 |
In the Isıso PTV code, the first number shows the cross-section class (1.25, 2 and 5.5) and the number after the dash shows the pin length in millimetres. In the Gwest GIK and KSN KİK codes, 101 is red, 102 blue and 106 yellow.
Selection criteria
- Cross-section: Choose the barrel colour by conductor cross-section. If two conductors are crimped into one terminal, their total cross-section must stay within the colour range.
- Pin length: The pin should go all the way into the terminal entry; no bare metal should be left outside the terminal, and the insulated barrel should not enter it. Choose the pin length by the depth of the terminal entry.
- Pin diameter: The terminal must be able to grip the pin fully. Pin dimensions are given on the product pages; compare them with the smallest and largest sizes the terminal can clamp.
- Terminal type: For spring (screwless) terminals, check the terminal manufacturer's data for which end types may be used.
- Crimping tool: Insulated terminals are crimped with pliers that have red, blue and yellow dies. You can find suitable dies in the Connector / Terminal Crimping Pliers category.
Common mistakes
- Crimping with long-nose pliers: The barrel is crushed unevenly, the cable pulls out of the terminal and the joint heats up.
- Choosing the wrong colour: A yellow terminal on a 0.75 mm² conductor will not hold; a 2.5 mm² conductor will not fit a red terminal, or strands stay outside.
- Getting the strip length wrong: The conductor should go to the end of the barrel and the insulation should sit against the barrel mouth. Over-stripping leaves bare conductor exposed; under-stripping leaves the conductor not fully crimped.
- Bending the pin to force it in: This strains the crimp and the pin sits crooked in the entry; bring the cable straight to the terminal.
Pin-type terminals in the catalog
The Pin Type Insulated Cable Terminals category has 9 active products: one red, one blue and one yellow model each from Gwest, Isıso and KSN. Ring, fork and blade types are under Insulated Cable Terminals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pin-type cable terminal and a ferrule?
With a ferrule, the strands inside the sleeve enter the terminal; with a pin-type terminal, a solid metal pin enters the terminal and the insulated barrel stays outside.
Which colour pin terminal suits which cross-section?
Red is for 0.5–1.5 mm², blue for 1.5–2.5 mm² and yellow for 4–6 mm² conductors.
Which pliers are used to crimp a pin-type terminal?
A terminal crimping plier with colour-coded dies for red, blue and yellow insulated terminals. Ferrule pliers or long-nose pliers do not crimp it properly.
What does the code PTV 1,25-10 mean?
PTV is a pin-type insulated terminal, 1.25 is the red cross-section class (0.5–1.5 mm²) and 10 is the pin length in mm.