FASTON terminal

FASTON terminals are connectors that are widely used in electronic and electrical equipment. These terminals are manufactured by many companies, commonly using the terms "quick disconnect", "quick connect", "tab" terminals, or blade connectors; without qualifiers, the first two could be mistaken for plumbing connections.

The image shows three Faston style female terminals with a matchstick as size comparison. The terminals have three different coloured insulations.
Faston female terminals in three sizes, with insulation
The image shows three Faston style male terminals in three different sizes. They all have insulation in different colours.
Faston male terminals in three sizes, with insulation
Various single wire connectors: FASTON blade terminals (bottom), ring terminals (2 left), spade terminals (5 top), bullet terminals, male and female (2 right with blue wires)

The terminals are often called "quick disconnect" because the predecessors were screw terminals, which took longer to disconnect. The name "tab" terminals is a description of the shape of the male terminal.

Six series are covered in one of TE's catalogs (which omits the .375", but mentions it elsewhere), named after their blade width in mils.[1] Insulated versions of the terminals are color-coded to indicate what wire gauges they may be used with. The terminal system consists of tabs (male) and receptacles (female). There are free-hanging wire and circuit board mounted versions of both tabs and receptacles. All widths come mostly in one of two tab thicknesses: .032" and .020".

A little-known hand tool exists for inserting the terminals, the AMP Universal Handle.

They have been commonly used since the 1970s. Faston is a trademark.

Specifications
  • PIDG (Pre-Insulated Diamond Grip) FASTON (Nylon) terminals are defined in AMP Specification 114-1002: Terminal, FASTON, PIDG, Application of
  • PLASTI-GRIP (Vinyl) (insulation restricting) terminals are defined in AMP Specification 114-1003: Terminal, FASTON, PLASTI-GRIP, Application of
  • UL 310 "Standard for Electrical Quick--Connect Terminals"[2]
  • CSA 22.2 #153, “Quick--Connect Terminals”
  • UL 486 also specifies the testing of standard wire connectors and soldering lugs.
  • MIL-T-7928

Crimp styles

Four main styles of crimps are specified by AMP:

  • "F" Crimp for use on non-insulated connectors
  • TETRA-CRIMP for use on insulated PIDG and PLASTI-GRIP connectors
  • "C" Crimp, typically used for flag connectors (where the wire enters the connector perpendicular to the direction of tab insertion)
  • Tab-Lok, typically used for flag connectors

Wire gauge insulation colors

The colors don't provide information about the polarity of the crimped cables but specify their diameter.

Insulation color code AWG size range Comments
Yellow26–22
Transparent24–20
Red22–16
Blue16–14
Yellow/Black16–14Heavy duty
Yellow12–10
Red8
Blue6
Yellow4
Brown2
Blue1/0
Yellow2/0
Red3/0
Blue4/0

Sizes and ratings

375 series

0.375-inch (9.5 mm) male tab width[3]

  • 10mm2, 50A (continuous)

312 series

0.312-inch (7.92 mm) male tab width

  • 4-6mm2, 28A (continuous)
  • 2.5mm2, 14A (continuous)
  • 1.5mm2, 10A (continuous)
  • 1.0mm2, 8A (continuous)
  • 0.75mm2, 7A (continuous)

250 series

0.250-inch (6.35 mm) male tab width

  • 10 AWG, 24 amps (continuous)
  • 12 AWG, 20 amps (continuous)
  • 14 AWG, 15 amps (continuous)
  • 16 AWG, 10 amps (continuous)
  • 18 AWG, 7 amps (continuous)
  • 20 AWG, 4 amps (continuous)
  • 22 AWG, 3 amps (continuous)

205 series

0.205-inch (5.21 mm) male tab width

  • 14 AWG, 15 amps (continuous)
  • 16 AWG, 10 amps (continuous)
  • 18 AWG, 7 amps (continuous)
  • 20 AWG, 4 amps (continuous)
  • 22 AWG, 3 amps (continuous)

187 series

0.187-inch (4.75 mm) male tab width

  • 16 AWG, 10 amps (continuous)
  • 18 AWG, 7 amps (continuous)
  • 20 AWG, 4 amps (continuous)
  • 22 AWG, 3 amps (continuous)

125 series

0.125-inch (3.18 mm) male tab width

110 series

0.110-inch (2.79 mm) male tab width

  • 16 AWG, 5 amps (continuous)
  • 18 AWG, 4 amps (continuous)
  • 20 AWG, 3 amps (continuous)
  • 22 AWG, 2 amps (continuous)

References
  1. "FASTON Terminals Insulated and Uninsulated" (PDF). Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  2. "UL 310 Electrical Quick-Connect Terminals". Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  3. "TYCO FASTIN-FASTON Connector Product Specification" (PDF). Retrieved 5 October 2022.
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