A clip cord is a reusable cable with a metal clip that temporarily connects to a wire. Leads connect electrical components to systems and can be simple or complex. Clip cords are often used for portable devices and have safety switches to prevent shock. Diagnostic tools use leads to gather information from systems.
A cable, pronounced like the word “need,” is a type of electrical connection. A clip cord is a cord that has a small metal clip on at least one end. This clip allows the cord to temporarily connect to a wire and then easily release. This type of cable is usually reusable, so once it’s unplugged from one system, it’s easy to plug into another. The connections on a lead clip are usually alligator clips, so lead clips often have local names that come from the distinctive name of the clip.
As one of the most basic and common forms of electrical connection, cables are quite varied. There are a huge number of different types of cables, ranging from long to short and stiff to flexible. In most cases, a conductor’s job is to connect an electrical component to another component or to a major system. They also provide physical support, such as rigid wires that pull components away from circuit boards. Finally, some are just simple connections, like wire, to move current from one place to another.
Leads have many ways to connect to a system. Many components have two leads, one that connects to a positive terminal and one that connects to a negative. Other more complex components may have three or more branches. These usually have a variable output based on the power flowing through them. There are also simpler cables that work similar to standard cables.
A clip cable is usually a soft strand cable, meaning it does not provide physical support for a component. Most of the time, a clip-on cable is found on a portable device as this is one of the few times a component will need constant connection and disconnection from a system. These devices are often a means of providing temporary power to a system or as a diagnostic or measurement tool.
When a device using a clip cord supplies power, it operates as a standard circuit system. Because the device is usually handheld, power often comes from a battery. The device has two clip leads that connect to a positive and negative terminal on the device to be powered. To prevent shock, these devices typically have a safety switch, so the power isn’t flowing constantly. Current will flow through the clip cable, into the device, and out again.
Diagnostic and measurement tools can have any number of leads. The diagnostic device will connect to the preset positions on the system being checked. When running, the system will send information through the cables and into the diagnostic system. The diagnostic device will then translate this into usable data for humans.
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