Screw terminal blocks are used extensively in building wiring for the distribution of electricity - connecting electrical outlets, luminaires and switches to themains, and for directly connecting major appliances such as clothes dryers and ovens drawing in excess of 15 amperes.

Screw terminals are commonly used to connect a chassis ground, such as on a record player or surge protector. Most public address systems in buildings also use them for speakers, and sometimes for other outputs and inputs. Alarm systems and building sensor and control systems have traditionally used large numbers of screw terminations.

Grounding screws are often color-coded green and, when used on consumer electronics, often have a washer with gripping "teeth".

Printed circuit board (PCB) terminal blocks are specially designed with a copper alloy pin of suitable size and length and can be inserted in printed circuit boards to be soldered to allow electrical signals and current to flow to and from PCBs and electrical equipment. Some designs provide features that allow the flow of molten solder to endure a better connection between the circuit traces of the board and the electrical equipment which is meant to be controlled or fed appropriate power.