My Footswitch came without a cord. How do I wire it?

That said, we cannot tell you how to wire your switch. Because Linemaster products are used in a wide range of systems across medical, industrial, and lab environments, there’s no universal wiring method that applies to every application. In addition to liability concerns, we simply don’t know how your equipment is designed to operate.  

What we can do is walk through the different terminal types you may encounter on your footswitch and help you understand how they’re typically used.  

Common Terminal Types 

Each terminal style has its own connection method, and understanding these can help you make the right wiring decisions for your system.  

1. Quick Connect (Blade Terminals) 

Quick connect terminals are flat metal tabs that are designed to securely fit into compatible female connectors.  

•  They’re often called “push-on” connections because no soldering or screws are required.  

• Inside the receiving connector, small internal barbs grip the blade and prevent it from slipping out. 

• This makes for fast installation and quick replacements ideal for serviceable designs.  

2. Screw Terminals 

Screw terminals are one of the most common and secure connection types.  

• They work by clamping the wire (or a fork/ring connector) under a screw. 

• Some include a cup washer to improve grip and contact. 

• You’ll typically bend the wire into a “C” shape and loop it around the terminal before tightening it down. Though if no terminal is used, the wiring method will vary based on your system.  

3. Wire Nuts 

Wire nuts are cone-shaped connectors with an internal metal spring. 

• When twisted over stripped wire ends, the spring inside grips and holds the wires together.  

• The plastic shell insulates the splice and helps keep everything in place.  

• In certain applications, epoxy can be added to make the connection moisture-resistant or waterproof.  

4. Solder Terminals  

Solder terminals have small holes in the metal tab for securing wire connections.  

• A wire is typically tinned bent into a “J” shape and fed through the hole before being soldered in place.  

• This creates a strong, compact connection that holds up well over time.  

• Soldering connections are often used when space is limited or when a permanent bond is needed.  

Final Thoughts 

If your foot switch came without a cord, don’t panic, it may just require a bit of wiring on your end. While we can’t provide specific wiring instructions due to the wide variety of systems our switches are used in, understanding the terminal types can help guide your next step.  

Always refer to your equipment’s wiring documentation or consult a qualified technician before making electrical connections, especially in critical or safety-related environments. 

Still not sure how the internal microswitch works? Head over to our blog, “How a Microswitch Works,” for a quick breakdown of what’s going on inside the switch.