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Voltage: Parallel and Series Circuits (2019)
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Voltage: Parallel and Series Circuits (2019)

Power Panels

Mini Project Attaching a Jumper Clip

Find the following component in your kit:
Terminal Block Jumper Clip
Terminal Block Jumper Clip

In this project, you will attach a jumper clip to the terminal block, which would allow better organization of wires connected to the block.

Jumper Clip

"Jumpers" are pieces that electrically connect terminals. They're like wires, except they're meant to be easily installed and removed by hand. In contrast, wires are usually not meant to be moved or removed after installation.

Step 1: Unscrew connections on one side of block

Unscrew all the screws on one side of the terminal block (remove any wires you have connected to them).

Step 2: Insert jumper clip

Attach the jumper clip to all the terminals (four in this case), then re-insert the spade connector on top of the jumper clip.

Step 3: Tighten the screws

Tighten the screws on terminals the jumper covers.

Step 4: Test connection on terminal block

Use a multimeter in continuity test mode to check which terminals are now connected to each other. Use the module below as a refresher.

How To: Testing Terminal Block

Follow along with this module to test the terminal block connections.

Testing Wires with a Multimeter: Required items and tools

To begin testing wires, you will need the following:

  • Digital Multimeter Digital Multimeter
Checking Continuity

A multimeter can be used to test for an unbroken electrical connection between two points. Something with no breaks is called "continuous", so this process is called "continuity" testing.

Selecting Continuity Testing Function

The continuity testing function of the multimeter tests for electrical continuity between two points that you touch the multimeter's leads to.

Tip: If there is a continuous connection, the multimeter will make a beep sound, so the icon for this mode usually looks like a "sound waves" symbol.

  • Some multimeters do not include this feature. If yours does not, follow the steps below but use the lowest-value Resistance test feature (Ω) on your multimeter instead, and instead of a beep, look for a resistance value of zero or near zero to be shown on the screen.
Safety Notice

The continuity tester does not work on circuits that have power running through them. Disconnect power from the portion of the circuit you are testing and test the parts individually. The multimeter may be damaged if you attempt to use this feature on a powered circuit.

Step 1: Plug black lead into multimeter

Plug the black lead of the multimeter into the COM terminal.

Step 2: Plug red lead into multimeter

Plug the red lead of the multimeter into the terminal with one of the following icons next to it:

  • Continuity Symbol Continuity Symbol
  • Ohms Symbol Resistance (Ohms) Symbol
  • Voltage (Volts) Symbol Voltage (Volts) Symbol
  • Diodes Symbol Diodes Symbol

Tip: The continuity test feature is electrically similar to several other multimeter functions, so it usually shares a plug and a spot on the dial with one of them. Different multimeters have it share with different modes.

Step 3: Turn dial to Continuity Testing setting

Turn the dial to the connectivity testing setting.

Step 4: Touch leads together

Touch the metal parts of the multimeter leads together. The multimeter should make a sound while they are in contact (because the two leads are electrically connected to each other).

  • If no sound is played, check your connections and try again.
Step 5: Touch the leads to a pair of terminals

Touch the two leads to the ends of the terminals you want to test. If you hear a sound, it means that there is a continuous electrical path between those two points.

  • This means there is no connection between the two points. Try other pairs of terminals.
  • This either means you are trying to test for continuity across a component like an LED that cannot be tested using this mode (use Diode test mode instead), or it means the connection is loose.
  • There may be some interference in the block and may need to be replaced.
Step 6: Turn dial to Off

Turn the multimeter dial back to the OFF position when you are done.

Mini Project Attaching a Jumper Clip (continuation)

Map out your connections

Draw a map on paper showing which terminals are electrically connected to each other.

  • Inserting a jumper clip into the block has electrically connected ALL terminals to each other.
Step 5: Separate the connectors into their own terminals

Detach and re-attach the spade connectors into their own separate terminals, since the entire block is electrically connected.

Explanation

The clip-style jumper is just a piece of metal that's shaped to fit several neighboring screw terminals at once. It acts as a single large conductor, electrically connecting all the terminals it is connected to. As a result, all terminals connected to the jumper become part of the same shared voltage node.

Thus, when the jumper is installed, it effectively connects every terminal to every other terminal.

Jumper Clip attached to Terminal Block
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