The counter features internal feedback to TC gated by the TCLD (Terminal Count Load) pin. When TCLD is LOW (or left open, in which case it is pulled LOW by the internal pulldowns), the TC feedback is disabled, and counting proceeds continuously, with TC going LOW to indicate an all-one state. When TCLD is HIGH, the TC feedback causes the counter to automatically reload upon TC = LOW, thus functioning as a programmable counter. The Qn outputs do not need to be terminated for the count function to operate properly. To minimize noise and power, unused Q outputs should be left unterminated.