In this case, where the audio is unbalanced, we may also sometimes refer to this as a single-ended plug. With the addition of another conductor “ R”, we open up different possibilities such as supporting balanced mono signals and unbalanced stereo signals.Īs seen in the “Unbalanced Mono” column above, the engineer can choose to make use of the additional conductor to carry a microphone signal instead. 3 conductor plug (TRS)Īvailable Connectors: Aside from the tip and sleeve, there is an additional ring connector with two insulating bands around it. The longer the cable, the higher chance the more noise will be picked up.Ĭommon Usage: You can find TS connectors mainly with guitars, instruments, and applications that do not require a long cable connection. The ground acts as a reference point for the signal but it also picks up interference noises like an antenna. One connector is used to carry the audio signal while the other acts as a return path and ground. The connection is fairly straightforward here. 2 conductor plug (TS)Īvailable Connectors: Only the tip and sleeve connectors are available. Both must be complementary to each other.
Nomenclature of the Headphone Plug:ĭepending on available conductors, manufacturers can choose to configure jack and plug in various ways. The band separates the parts of the plug from being shorted together. If it has two rings, it is a 4 conductor plug or a TRRS connector.ĭon’t mistake the black band as a ring. If the plug only has one ring, it is a 3 conductor plug or a TRS connector. It is the number of Rings that differentiate them. Identifying conductors.Īll plugs have at least a Tip and Sleeve. Hence, it can also be called a 3 pole plug.
Some manufacturer uses pole to replace conductor. If it has 3 conductors, it may be called a 3 conductor plug. Conductors are the contact points of the plugs that close the circuit.Ī headphone plug has a minimum of 2 conductors and commonly up to 5. Regardless of the plug size, all headphone plugs have conductors. A pointed tip jack will prevent a rounded tip plug from being inserted fully, hence solving the problem. The rounded tip quickly gained traction as the de-facto tip profile for audio equipment.īut with the rise of stereo audio, a different tip profile was needed to prevent the old rounded tip from frying the circuit when inserted into incompatible equipment. The rounded tip design was particularly popular because it was compatible with different manufacturers. In the early development days, there were many different jack designs. The earliest known jack was a ¼ inch (6.35mm) version and still has mainstream usages which we describe below. Scribner patented, what he calls, a “jack-knife” connector. The origin of the term “ jack” can be traced back to 1874 when C.E. Evolution of the Headphone Jack Who is jack? You will often find the word “ plug” used to describe the male connectors while “ jack” used to describe the female connectors. Unfortunately, the audio industry has not unified in the way the electrical and mechanical trades have to describe the different gender of connectors. In electrical and mechanical trades and manufacturing, each half of a pair of mating connectors or fasteners is conventionally assigned the designation male or female.