alligator clip

Thân thiện

An engineer uses an alligator clip to connect a wire to a battery terminal.

Definition

Noun: A small, spring-loaded metal clip with serrated jaws that resemble an alligator's mouth, used to make a temporary electrical connection.

Usage

An alligator clip is a simple mechanical fastener. Its primary function is to grip and hold objects, most commonly wires, to establish a temporary electrical contact for testing, prototyping, or connecting circuits. It is not designed for permanent installation.

Examples

• Basic Use:
• Testing Context:
• Descriptive:

Advanced Usage

• "Alligator clip lead" or "Alligator clip test lead": This refers to a wire that has an alligator clip attached to one or both of its ends, forming a complete test cable.
  • I need a longer alligator clip lead to reach the circuit board on the other side of the table.

Variants and Related Words

• Crocodile clip: This is a common synonym, used interchangeably in many regions, especially British English.
• Spring clip: A more general term for any clip that uses spring action to close.
• Test clip: A broader category that includes alligator clips and other types of clips used for electrical testing.

Synonyms

• Crocodile clip
• Spring clip (in electrical contexts)
• Test clip

Antonyms

• Permanent connector: (e.g., solder joint, wire nut, terminal block)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a clip with a spring that closes the metal jaws

Từ đồng nghĩa

• bulldog clip