5 Pin Screw Terminal Block Connector - 2.54mm Pitch, PCB Mount (Green)

Specifications

• Pin Count: 5 Positions

• Pitch Spacing: 2.54mm (0.1 inch)

• Termination Style: Screw Clamp to PCB Through-Hole

• Wire Gauge Compatibility: 26 AWG to 18 AWG

• Rated Voltage: 150V AC/DC

• Rated Current: 6A Maximum

• Housing Material: Green Flame-retardant Polyamide (UL94V-0)

• Pin Length: 3.50mm (Perfect for standard 1.6mm thick PCBs)

• Recommended PCB Hole Diameter: 1.30mm

• Overall Dimensions: ~13.1mm (W) x 8.8mm (H) x 6.3mm (D)

Key Applications and Projects

• Custom Arduino/ESP32 Shields: Solder these to the edges of a blank prototype shield to easily wire up external limit switches, thermistors, and power rails.

• Motor Driver Breakouts: Securely attach DC motors and stepper motor coils to custom H-Bridge controller boards.

• Permanent Breadboard Replacements: Transition a messy, fragile breadboard circuit onto a soldered perfboard while retaining the ability to swap out external sensors.

• Industrial Sensor Nodes: Provide reliable, screw-down data and power connections for long cable runs in IoT agricultural or factory monitors.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The Universal Environmental Hub: Are you tired of your weather station prototype falling apart because the dupont wires keep slipping off the headers? Evolve your build! Take a blank 7x9cm copper perfboard and transfer your ESP8266 or Arduino Nano onto it. Surround the microcontroller with these 5-Pin 2.54mm terminal blocks. You can dedicate one block entirely to I2C communication (VCC, GND, SCL, SDA, INT), another to SPI, and another to Analog inputs. Now, you can run long, thick twisted-pair cables out to your anemometers, soil moisture probes, and solar panels, screwing them down permanently. Your fragile prototype is now a deployable, field-ready instrument!

Package Includes:

• 1 x 5-Pin Fixed Screw Terminal Block Connector (2.54mm Pitch)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q: What exactly does 2.54mm pitch mean? The "pitch" is the exact distance between the center of one metal pin and the center of the next pin. 2.54mm (which is exactly 0.1 inches) is the universal standard spacing for breadboards, perfboards, and Arduino header pins.

Q: Will this fit directly into a standard solderless breadboard? Yes. Because the pins are spaced at 2.54mm, it will align with the holes on a breadboard. However, the square solder pins are slightly thicker than typical jumper wires, so inserting them may require a bit of force and could slightly stretch the internal breadboard clips. They are highly recommended for soldered perfboards.

Q: What size wire can I use with this terminal block? It is designed to comfortably accept wires ranging from 26 AWG (very thin) up to 18 AWG (thick).

Q: Do I need to solder this component? Yes. The bottom pins are designed for "Through-Hole Technology" (THT) and must be soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) or perfboard to establish an electrical connection and structural rigidity.

Q: What is the maximum voltage and current it can handle? Due to its compact 2.54mm spacing, it is typically rated for a maximum of 150V and 6 Amps per pin. Do not use these for high-voltage mains AC applications (110V/220V) as the creepage distance between the pins is too small.

Q: Are these terminal blocks interlocking? No. These are "fixed" terminal blocks, meaning they are a solid 5-pin mold and do not have dovetail sliding locks to attach to other blocks. However, their sides are perfectly flat, allowing you to mount two blocks directly side-by-side on a PCB seamlessly.

Q: Can I plug a male header connector into the top of this? No, this is a direct-wire connector. You must strip the insulation off the end of a wire, insert the bare copper into the top slot, and tighten the screw to clamp it.

Q: What type of screwdriver is required? You will need a precision screwdriver. A small flathead (approx. 2.0mm to 2.5mm wide) or a precision Phillips (#0 or #00) works best.

Q: Can I use stranded wire? Yes, stranded wire works perfectly. However, for the most reliable connection that won't fray over time, it is highly recommended to crimp a "wire ferrule" onto the end of the stranded wire, or lightly tin the exposed copper with solder before inserting it into the block.

Q: Can I use solid core wire? Yes. Solid core wire slides in easily and clamps down exceptionally well without fraying.

Q: How long are the solder legs? According to the technical blueprint, the solder legs are 3.50mm long. This provides plenty of clearance to pass through standard 1.6mm thick PCBs and leave enough exposed metal for a strong solder joint.

Q: Does the internal screw crush or cut the wire? No. These terminal blocks feature an internal leaf spring or wire protector mechanism. As you turn the screw, it presses a flat piece of metal down onto the wire, ensuring it grips firmly without shearing the delicate copper strands.

Q: How do I remove a wire once it is clamped? Simply use your precision screwdriver to turn the top screw counter-clockwise. This will raise the internal clamp, allowing you to pull the wire out effortlessly.

Q: What is the recommended drill hole size for my custom PCB? The blueprint specifies a recommended PCB hole diameter of 1.30mm (+0.10mm tolerance) to accommodate the rectangular pins.

Q: Is the green plastic heat resistant? Yes, the housing is made from a flame-retardant polyamide (typically UL94V-0 rated). It easily withstands standard manual soldering iron temperatures and automated wave-soldering processes without melting.

Q: Why should I use this instead of standard female header pins? Female headers are great for temporary plugging and unplugging, but dupont wires easily vibrate loose or fall out if pulled. Screw terminal blocks provide a semi-permanent, high-friction mechanical grip on the wire, making them mandatory for projects involving motors, movement, or field deployment.

Q: Can I cut this 5-pin block to make a 3-pin block? It is highly discouraged. Cutting the hard plastic housing will likely destroy the structural integrity of the adjacent pins and expose internal metal contacts. It is better to purchase dedicated 2-pin or 3-pin versions.

Q: How much wire insulation should I strip off before inserting? You should strip approximately 5mm to 6mm of insulation off the tip of your wire. If you strip too little, the screw will clamp onto the plastic insulation (causing a bad connection). If you strip too much, bare copper will remain exposed outside the block, posing a short-circuit risk.

Q: Can I use this for audio signals? Yes. Because it provides a solid, high-pressure metal-to-metal contact, it is perfectly fine for routing low-level analog signals, including audio, without introducing noticeable resistance.

Q: Is it safe to use outdoors? The terminal block itself is not waterproof or IP-rated. If used outdoors, the entire PCB and terminal block assembly must be housed inside a properly sealed, waterproof enclosure to prevent corrosion on the bare metal screws and contacts.