Battery Terminals are electrical connectors affixed on the end of a battery cable to connect the battery to the electrical system most commonly used in automotive, marine, and industrial equipment applications.

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What types of Battery Terminals are commonly used?

There are three common types of battery terminals. The most common is the "top post" type. This battery terminal is attached to a post extending out of the top of a battery. The battery terminal is usually crimped onto the cable and then attached to the post on the battery using a pinch bolt on the outside ring of the battery terminal. The second type is the "side post" and has been gaining popularity over the last decade in automotive applications. The side post system incorporates female threaded holes on the side of the battery. A bolt is then used to attach the battery cable to the battery using a ring terminal on the end of the cable. The third type is called an "L post". This type of terminal uses a L-shaped post on the top of the battery with a stud hole on the vertical side of the L. The horizontal side is permanently attached to the battery. The battery cable is then attached to the L post using a ring terminal on the battery cable and a nut and bolt through the ring terminal and the hole in the L post.

How are Battery Terminals Connected to the cable?

There are two main types of connections for battery terminals used on the cable end of the terminal. The most common and secure is a crimp type of connection. This is where the bare conductors are inserted into the battery terminal and then the barrel is squeezed together or "crimped" using a special purpose crimp tool. The other method is a battery terminal that has a two-part clamp on the cable end. The bare cable is inserted into the clamp and then screws are used to tighten the battery terminal clamp onto the cable. This is considered a less secure connection and battery terminals using this type of connection are commonly referred to emergency "bolt-on" terminals. These terminals are available for a variety of cable sizes most commonly from 4 gauge up through 4/0 gauge.

What styles of Battery Terminals are available?

On the battery connection side of the terminal there are several styles of connectors. The positive and negative terminals are usually of slightly different sizes to help ensure correct polarity during hook-up. In the case of top post batteries it is the inside diameter of the post and battery terminal. In the case of side post it is the diameter of the threaded hole and the bolt size used. In the case of L post batteries it is the hole size and bolt size used. Beyond that there are several types of top post battery terminals available. There are left hand and right hand 90-degree terminals, flag terminals and of course straight terminals, all available in both positive and negative.

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