Sizing the footprint: pitch and position count
The 282830-3: The 5.00 mm spacing is the standard for Buchanan terminal blocks, matching the footprint of the mating header pins. Rated at 12 A per circuit at 300 V, the current capacity is set by the contact and housing thermal limits — the 12 A rating applies per position when all circuits are loaded, not a sum across the block.
Termination and wire preparation
Termination uses a rising cage clamp with a screw torque specification of 0.68 Nm (6 Lb-In). The clamp lifts as the screw tightens, pressing the wire against the current bar — no ferrule is required for stranded wire, though a 6-7.5 mm strip length is recommended. Accepting wire from 12-30 AWG (0.05-2 mm²), the clamp accommodates both power and signal conductors. The M3 screw size is standard for this pitch class, and the torque value ensures consistent contact force without stripping the PA66 housing threads.
Wiring orientation and panel fit
The 90° wire entry routes conductors parallel to the PCB plane, reducing the plug's height above the board to 0.453" (11.50 mm). The side-stacking feature allows multiple plugs to be ganged side-by-side on the same header, creating a multi-position block from individual 3-position modules. The green housing colour is standard for Buchanan terminal blocks, aiding visual identification in the panel.