A terminal is the point at which a conductor from a component, device or network comes to an end. [1] Terminal may also refer to an electrical connector at this endpoint, acting as the reusable interface to a conductor and creating a point where external circuits can be connected. [2] [3] A terminal may simply be the end of a wire or it may be fitted with a connector or fastener.[ citation needed ]
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In network analysis, terminal means a point at which connections can be made to a network in theory and does not necessarily refer to any physical object. In this context, especially in older documents, it is sometimes called a pole. On circuit diagrams, terminals for external connections are denoted by empty circles. [4] They are distinguished from nodes or junctions which are entirely internal to the circuit and are denoted by solid circles. [5]
All electrochemical cells have two terminals (electrodes) which are referred to as the anode and cathode or positive (+) and negative (–). On many dry batteries, the positive terminal (cathode) is a protruding metal cap, and the negative terminal (anode) is a flat metal disc . In a galvanic cell such as a common AA battery, electrons flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal, while the conventional current is opposite to this. [6]
