In regards to fasteners, what is the typical use of a jam nut?

A jam nut is specifically designed to prevent the movement of the main nut on a bolt or threaded rod. It is typically a thin nut that is tightened against a primary nut to lock it in place, thereby preventing loosening due to vibrations or other external forces. This locking mechanism ensures that the connection remains secure over time, which is crucial in applications where structural integrity is essential.

In contrast, a primary nut is usually used for securing components together, while a jam nut serves as a supplementary measure to enhance that security. The notion of balancing is not relevant in the context of jam nuts; their sole purpose lies in maintaining the stability of the threaded connection.