Battery terminals are an essential component of the car battery. They are the connection points that allow the flow of energy from the inside to the outside and from the outside to the inside of a battery.
Batteries have become a vital component of our lives, not just in the case of cars, but also with all other major handheld electronic amenities such as laptops, mobiles, electric brushes, vacuum cleaners, etc.
Some insight into this important but hidden component of your day-to-day life is crucial.
Battery terminals: What are they?
Battery terminals are essential components of any battery. They are generally made up of conductive materials such as lead and copper. This facilitates the flow of current in an efficient manner. Each battery has two battery terminals, a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal is usually marked with a plus sign (+) while the negative terminal is marked with a (-) sign. The positive terminal is connected to the battery’s positive electrode and the negative terminal is connected to the negative electrode. Electrodes are placed inside the battery and are not visible on the outside.
The battery of a car is connected with wires and when the car is turned on, the electric circuit is completed. Electrons begin to flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. This flow of electrons generates electrical power that runs your car engine and other electronic components such as air conditioning, power windows, power steering, radio, etc. Proper maintenance of the car battery is essential to ensure a reliable electrical connection so that all these components can keep working without any hiccups. Battery terminals are good conductors and are prone to corrosion from the acid inside the battery and oxygen in the atmosphere. Corrosion hinders the flow of electricity and reduces the overall efficiency of the battery.
In short, battery terminals are the building blocks of a car battery that enable the transfer of electricity from the battery to different electronics of the car.
- 1. Red Battery Terminal:
- 2. Black Terminal:
The red terminal or the one distinguished by a plus (+) sign is connected to the positive electrode (cathode). It is the terminal from where electricity begins to move to various components of the car.
The black terminal, or the one marked with a minus (-) sign is connected to the negative electrode (anode) inside the battery. It is the terminal where the charge begins to flow to the positive terminal.
Why are battery terminals color-coded?
Battery terminals are color-coded only as a means of convention. However, this is extremely important as it facilitates easy identification and distinguishing between the different terminals and connecting cables. Connecting the cables to the correct terminals is extremely important since connecting them in the wrong (backward) manner can permanently damage the battery and car electronics.
Since a car battery provides DC current, it can easily damage the battery and car electronics by connecting the wires backward. Color coding helps in simplifying the process of installation and maintenance. It also contributes to increasing safety and reliability.
Read More: Guide to Change Your Car Battery
Know this before disconnecting battery terminals
Removing the battery can be necessary for various reasons such as replacing the battery, performing maintenance tasks, or taking out the battery for storage for extended periods.
Removing battery terminals properly and in the correct order is crucial to avoid accidents and short circuits. To understand how to safely remove battery terminals, it is first important to understand in which order they must be removed.
Which terminal should be removed first: Black or Red?
When removing a battery, it is recommended that the black (-) terminal is removed first and then the red (+) terminal is removed.
The process is carried out in this specific sequence to eliminate the associated safety concerns of electrical shocks and short circuits.
On disconnecting the black (-) terminal first, the electrical circuit between the battery and other electrical components gets broken. This means that there is no path left for the current to flow through. This eliminates the risk of unnecessary and unpredictable sparks and shocks arising from accidental touches with metallic tools.
Removing the red terminal (+) first does not break the electrical circuit completely. The circuit can be completed by any accidental touch of a metallic tool to any metal part of the vehicle or any grounded surface. This can cause accidents and damage in the form of short circuits and even sparks.
Step-By-Step Guide on how to access battery terminals
First, it is necessary to understand the tools and safety gear required to work on a battery. To ensure complete safety while operating on a battery, you must wear appropriate safety gear, glasses, and gloves. Doing this will protect your hands and eyes from accidental and unwanted acid splashes and electrical sparks.
Use battery specific tools only:
Gather your tools first, before trying to open the battery. A wrench and a socket set of appropriate size will be required to access the terminal nuts. It is also important to ensure that these tools are in proper condition.
Here are the steps you must follow to access the car’s battery:
- 1. Turn off your vehicle:
It is important to turn off the engine when working on any vehicle. Removing the keys from the ignition will add a layer of safety. - 2. Find the battery:
Locate the battery inside your vehicle. Batteries are rectangular plastic boxes with 2 terminals and are generally placed under the hood of the car. - 3. Identify the terminals:
Identify the positive and negative terminals of a car battery. Positive terminals are marked with a plus (+) sign and are color-coded to be red. Negative terminals, on the other hand, are marked with a minus (-) sign and are color-coded to be black. Always crosscheck the terminal you are working on. - 4. Remove the negative terminal first:
For the aforementioned reasons, the negative terminal must be removed first. Remove the black terminal first using the wrench or socket set. - 5. Loosen the connecting nut:
Loosen the nut that connects the terminals with the wires. Take proper safety measures and keep your hands and tools away from the metal parts of the car. This will prevent accidental sparking and short circuits. - 6. Disconnect the cable:
Once the nut is loose, remove the connecting black cable. Move it away from the battery terminal post so that it does not accidentally touch the terminal and cause sparks. - 7. Repeat the process for the positive terminal:
Repeat the process of loosening the nut and disconnecting the cables for the positive terminal as well. - 8. Clean the cables and terminals:
Make a close inspection of the cables and the terminals. If you find them dirty and see signs of corrosion or damage, clean them thoroughly before reinstalling. - Use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the terminal posts and cable joints if there are signs of corrosion. Use gentle hands to scrub off the corrosion since these terminals are soft metals (lead or copper) and can be damaged. Use a dry cloth to clean it afterward.
- 9. Reinstalling the cables:
When reinstalling the cables, the process is reversed. The red (+) terminal is attached first followed by the black (-) terminal. This reduces the risk of electrical mishaps. - 10. Installing the nuts:
Screw the nuts again after attaching the wires using the socket set or wrench. Make sure that you do not over-tighten the nuts since it can damage your battery terminals and cables.
Conclusion: Knowing your battery is crucial to perform maintenance
It is important to know your battery before you begin performing maintenance on the battery. The negative terminal must be removed before the positive terminal. This not only prevents the battery from damage but also prevents you from accidental electrical surges.
When working with batteries, your safety should be your top priority. This is because the battery is made up of a large number of hazardous materials like acid, plastic, and metals. Safety is also necessary because a battery is the storehouse of electricity which can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly.