Battery Terminals

Battery terminals are the electrical contacts on the battery that connect to an electrical device or charger. It is important to check your battery terminals to specify your terminal connector, if applicable. The following are some of the most common types of battery terminals:

F1 Terminals

0.187" wide

These terminals are 0.187 inches wide and are commonly found on smaller batteries. They are often used on sealed lead acid batteries that back up devices such as emergency lights, toys, and smaller uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). The wiring from the appliance ends in spade connections which slide onto the F1 terminals.

F2 Terminals

0.25" wide

These terminals are 0.25 inches wide and are a heavier duty version of the F1 faston terminal due to their slightly larger size, making them able to handle greater current flows. They are commonly found on batteries which backup appliances such as UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies), especially batteries designed for high rate discharge. Like the F1 terminals, they are often seen on sealed lead acid battery ranges.

Internal Thread Terminals (IT)

Internal thread terminals (or threaded insert) have space within the battery itself to receive an M6 or M8 bolt threaded in. Unlike an NB terminal, no nut is necessary, since the bolt screws securely into the battery. This is common for motorcycle or golf cart applications.

You might see IT-F13 referencing this terminal.

Spring Top Terminals

These terminals are commonly found on alkaline batteries and are made up of a spring-loaded contact that connects to the device. They are often used in remote controls, toys, and other small electronic devices.

Nut and Bolt Terminals (NB)

These terminals are commonly used in the automotive industry and used on a number of heavier duty sealed lead acid batteries where higher current surges may be experienced, such as the high rate discharge that uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) back up batteries might need to deliver. The exact dimensions of the nut and bolt terminals vary by battery model.

You may see this referenced as a NB or Z terminal.

Wire Leads

Some batteries and battery packs have two wires coming out of the product rather than terminals. These usually require or have connectors in order to connect to devices they are designed for.

Note: Remember to always check your battery terminals and consult the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that you are using the correct type of connector for your specific battery model.