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A TRS connector, also called a '''jack plug''' ( UK ) or '''phone plug''' ( U.S. ), is a common Audio Connector . It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two (a '''TS connector''') or four (a '''TRRS connector'''). It was invented for use in Telephone Switchboard s in the 19th Century and is still widely used, both in its original quarter-inch (6.3 mm) size and in miniaturized versions. The connector's name is an acronym derived from the names of three conducting parts of the plug: '''T'''ip, '''R'''ing, and '''S'''leeve1 – hence, '''TRS'''. In the U. K., the terms ''jack plug'' and ''jack socket'' are commonly used for the respectively male and female TRS connectors.2 In the U. S., a female connector is called a Jack . The terms ''phone plug'' and ''phone jack'' are commonly used to refer to TRS connectors,3 but are also sometimes used colloquially to refer to Telephone Plug s and the corresponding jacks that connect wired telephones to wall outlets. The similar terms ''phono plug'' and ''phono jack'' normally refer to RCA Connectors . To unambiguously refer to the connectors described here, the diameter or other qualifier is often added, e.g. ''1/4-inch phone plug, 3.5 mm phone jack,'' or ''stereo phone plug,'' for the three-contact version. The initial application for the TRS connector was in telephone equipment, which explains why, to this day, it is often termed a "phone plug," even though its use in telephony applications ended many decades ago. The connector's association with stereo Headphones possibly helped maintain this term. MODERN CONNECTORS Modern TS and TRS connectors are available in three standard sizes. The original 1/4" (6.35 mm) version dates from 1878, for use in manual Telephone exchanges—making it possibly the oldest electrical connector standard still in use. The 3.5 mm or miniature and 2.5 mm or '''subminiature''' sizes were originally designed as two-conductor connectors for earpieces on Transistor Radio s. The 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm sizes are also referred to as 1/8" and 3/32" respectively in the United States, though those dimensions are only approximations. All three sizes are now readily available in two-conductor (mono) and three-conductor ( Stereo or tip ring sleeve) versions. Four and five conductor versions of the 3.5 mm plug are used for certain applications. A four conductor version is becoming a de facto standard output connector for compact Camcorder s, providing stereo sound plus a video signal. This interface is also seen on some Laptop Computer s. Proprietary interfaces using both four and five conductor versions exist, such as the audio connector on the first four generations of IPod MP3 players (the 5th generation player now uses a standard 3 conductor cable), where the extra conductors were used to supply power for accessories. There is also an optical connector used for TOSLINK (mainly on things like portable equipment; hi-fi separates and similar tend to use the standard square connector) that is the same size as a 3.5 mm jack. Sockets exist that can make either an optical connection to such a plug or an electrical connection to a stereo jack plug. A three or four conductor version of the 2.5 mm plug is widely used on Cell Phone Handsfree headsets, providing mono (three conductor) or stereo (four conductor) sound and a microphone input. It should be noted that the use of common stereo headphones with the 2.5 mm plug are often not compatible with this type of socket. Relatively uncommon tiny telephone ('''TT''') connectors use mid-size phone plugs with a 4.4 mm (0.173-inch) diameter shaft. Due to their compactness and Reliability , TTs are often used for professional console and outboard Patchbay s in Studio s and live sound applications, in which a single Patch Panel may require hundreds of patch points in a limited space. The TRS versions of TT connectors are capable of handling Balanced Line signals and are preferred in pro audio installations Both two-conductor and three-conductor versions of the three standard sizes are readily available in Male (plug) and Female (socket or simply "jack") line versions, and panel-mounting female versions. Panel-mounting male versions of these also exist but are rare, as they are vulnerable to mechanical damage and therefore unreliable. Female line versions are also notoriously unreliable and are avoided by many users. The most common arrangement remains to have the male plug on the cable, and the female socket mounted in a piece of equipment, which was the original intention of the design. A considerable variety of line plugs and panel sockets is available, including plugs suiting various cable sizes, right angle plugs, and both plugs and sockets in a variety of price ranges and with current capacities up to about 15 Ampere s for the 1/4" version. Non-standard sizes, both diameters and lengths, are also available from some manufacturers, and are used when it is desired to restrict the availability of matching connectors. Several obsolete versions of the 1/4" jack plug exist, including:
MONO AND STEREO COMPATIBILITY In the original application in manual telephone exchanges, many different configurations of 1/4" jack plug were used, some accommodating five or more conductors, with several tip profiles. Of these many varieties, only the two-conductor version with a rounded tip profile was compatible between different manufacturers, and this was the design that was at first adopted for use with Microphone s, Electric Guitar s, Headphones , Loudspeaker s, and many other items of audio equipment. When a three-conductor version of the 1/4" jack was introduced for use with Stereo headphones, it was given a sharper tip profile in order to make it possible to manufacture jacks (sockets) that would accept only stereo plugs, to avoid short-circuiting the right channel amplifier. This attempt has long been abandoned, and now the normal convention is that all plugs fit all sockets of the same size, regardless of whether they are mono or stereo. Most 1/4" plugs, mono or stereo, now have the profile of the original stereo plug, although a few rounded mono plugs are also still produced. The profiles of stereo miniature and subminiature plugs have always been identical to the mono plugs of the same size. The results of this physical compatibility are:
USES Some common uses of jack plugs and their matching sockets are:
Misuse Jack connectors should not be used as power connectors, since the contacts will often short together when a jack is inserted or removed. Some older effects units built by Alesis (such as the microVerb) did use a 3.5 mm two-conductor jack to connect AC power to the unit from a 9-Volt external transformer, but when this jack was removed or replaced while the PSU was powered up, the resulting momentary short-circuit would often destroy the unit's power supply. SWITCH CONTACTS Panel-mounting jacks are often provided with switch contacts. Most commonly, a mono jack is provided with a single normally closed (NC) contact, which is connected to the tip (live) connection when no plug is in the socket, and disconnected when a plug is inserted. Stereo sockets commonly provide two such NC contacts, one for the tip (left channel live) and one for the ring or collar (right channel live). Some designs of jack also have such a connection on the sleeve, as this contact is usually ground it is not much use for signal switching but could be used to indicate to electronic circuitry that the socket was in use. Less commonly, some jacks are provided with normally open (NO) or change-over contacts, and/or the switch contacts may be isolated from the connector. The original purpose of these contacts was for switching in telephone exchanges, for which there were many patterns. Two sets of change-over contacts, isolated from the connector contacts, were common. The more recent pattern of one NC contact for each signal path, internally attached to the connector contact, stems from their use as headphone jacks. In many amplifiers and equipment containing them, such as electronic organs, a headphone jack is provided that disconnects the loudspeakers when in use. This is done by means of these switch contacts. In other equipment, a dummy load is provided when the headphones are not connected. This is also easily provided by means of these NC contacts. Other uses for these contacts have been found. One is to interrupt a signal path to enable other circuitry to be inserted. This is done by using one NC contact of a stereo jack to connect the tip and ring together when no plug is inserted. The tip is then made the output, and the ring the input (or vice versa), thus forming a Patch Point . Another use is to provide alternative mono or stereo output facilities on some guitars and electronic organs. This is achieved by using two mono jacks, one for left channel and one for right, and wiring the NC contact on the right channel jack to connect the two connector tips together when the right channel output is not in use. This then mixes the signals so that the left channel jack doubles as a mono output. Where a 3.5 mm or 2.5 mm jack is used as a DC power inlet connector, a switch contact may be used to disconnect an internal battery whenever an external power supply is connected, to prevent incorrect recharging of the battery. A three-conductor signal input socket is used on some battery-powered guitar Effects Pedal s to eliminate the need for a separate power switch. When the user plugs in a two-conductor guitar or microphone lead, the resulting short-circuit between earth and ring connects an internal battery to the unit's circuitry, ensuring that it powers up or down automatically whenever a signal lead is inserted or removed. A side effect is the risk of inadvertently discharging the battery if the lead is not removed after use, for example if equipment is left connected overnight. TIP/RING/SLEEVE TERMINOLOGY | ||
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