Electrical terminal test point and methods of use

A terminal block test point for a terminal block comprising one or more contact points, wherein respective contact points of the one or more contact points are configured to establish an electrical connection between two or more leads associated with the terminal block, the terminal block test point comprising:

• a shield configured to protect the one or more contact points of the terminal block;
• one or more conducting mechanisms substantially perpendicular to and extending through the shield, respective conducting mechanisms configured for selective electrical connection to one of the one or more contact points of the terminal block, wherein respective conducting mechanisms are capable of being removed from the corresponding contact point without disrupting the electrical connection established by the contact point between the two or more leads;
• one or more attachment mechanisms substantially perpendicular to and extending through the shield, said attachment mechanisms being separate from the one or more conducting mechanisms, respective attachment mechanisms being configured to cause at least a portion of the shield to contact at least a portion of the terminal block, wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are configured to establish an electrical connection between the one or more conducting mechanisms and the one or more contact points of the terminal block,
• wherein, when an electrical connection is established between at least one of the one or more conducting mechanisms and a corresponding at least one contact point of the terminal block, a corresponding attachment mechanism of the one or more attachment mechanisms is configured to maintain the electrical connection between the at least one conducting mechanism and the corresponding at least one contact point of the terminal block, and
• wherein each attachment mechanism comprises:
• a first portion configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the two or more leads associated with the contact point when the electrical connection is established between the contact point and a corresponding conducting mechanism of the one or more conducting mechanisms;
• and
• a second portion attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion of the attachment mechanism,
• wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move substantially perpendicular to and rotate about the two or more leads such that the second portion of the attachment mechanism is capable of attaching to the two or more leads.

A method for performing one of a plurality of tests in association with an electrical terminal, the electrical terminal having a plurality of contact points, respective contact points of the plurality of contact points being configured to establish an electrical connection between two or more leads associated with the electrical terminal, the method comprising:

• attaching an electrical terminal test point to the electrical terminal, the electrical terminal test point comprising:
• one or more conducting mechanisms, each configured for selective electrical connection to one of the plurality of contact points of the electrical terminal, wherein respective conducting mechanisms are capable of being attached and removed from the corresponding contact point without disrupting the electrical connection established by the contact point between the two or more leads;
• and
• one or more attachment mechanisms separate from the one or more conducting mechanisms, said attachment mechanisms being configured to secure the electrical terminal test point to the electrical terminal, wherein each attachment mechanism of the one or more attachment mechanisms secures the electrical terminal test point to the electrical terminal, and wherein each attachment mechanism establishes and maintains the electrical connection between a corresponding conducting mechanism and a corresponding contact point,
• wherein each attachment mechanism comprises:
• a first portion configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the two or more leads associated with the contact point when the electrical connection is established between the contact point and a corresponding conducting mechanism of the one or more conducting mechanisms;
• and
• a second portion attached to and extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion of the attachment mechanism,
• wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to move substantially perpendicular to and rotate about the two or more leads, such that the second portion of the attachment mechanism is capable of attaching to the two or more leads;
• selecting one of the plurality of tests to be performed in association with the electrical terminal;
• identifying at least one of the plurality of contact points of the electrical terminal associated with the selected test;
• and
• selecting one of a plurality of electrical terminal test points based at least in part on the one or more identified contact points;
• and
• attaching one or more test leads of a test device to the one or more conducting mechanisms of the selected electrical terminal test point.