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103-404: The XLR connector is a type of electrical connector primarily used in professional audio , video, and stage lighting equipment. XLR connectors are cylindrical, with three to seven connector pins, and are often employed for analog balanced audio interconnections, AES3 digital audio, portable intercom , DMX512 lighting control, and for low-voltage power supply . XLR connectors are part of

206-401: A Pentaconn 4.4   mm TRRRS connector . With XLR connectors, pins 1, 2, and 3 are usually used for the shield (ideally connected to the chassis) and the two signal wires, respectively. (The phrase "ground, live, return", corresponding to "X, L, R", is often offered as a memory aid, although the second signal wire is not a "return" in the case of differential signaling) On TRS phone plugs,

309-428: A gender  – i.e. the male component, called a plug , connects to the female component, or socket . Thousands of configurations of connectors are manufactured for power , data , and audiovisual applications. Electrical connectors can be divided into four basic categories, differentiated by their function: In computing, electrical connectors are considered a physical interface and constitute part of

412-408: A hermaphroditic connector . These connectors includes mating with both male and female aspects, involving complementary paired identical parts each containing both protrusions and indentations. These mating surfaces are mounted into identical fittings that freely mate with any other, without regard for gender (provided that the size and type match). Sometimes both ends of a cable are terminated with

515-494: A noise rejection advantage over an unbalanced two-conductor arrangement (such as used in typical home stereos) where the shield must also act as the signal return wire. Therefore, any noise currents induced into a balanced audio shield will not be directly modulated onto the signal, whereas in a two-conductor system they will be. This also prevents ground loop problems, by separating the shield/chassis from signal ground. Signals are often transmitted over balanced connections using

618-527: A plug (denoted P), designed to attach to a wire, cable or removable electrical assembly. This convention is currently defined in ASME Y14.44-2008, which supersedes IEEE 200-1975 , which in turn derives from the long-withdrawn MIL-STD-16 (from the 1950s), highlighting the heritage of this connector naming convention. IEEE 315-1975 works alongside ASME Y14.44-2008 to define jacks and plugs. The term jack occurs in several related terms: Crimped connectors are

721-533: A 'male' connector is the one with pins on the smallest element, 'female' has corresponding receptacles. A 'plug' connector enters the 'socket' connector, judged by the largest element. For most XLR, plugs are male and sockets are female. XLR are unusual as, at least in audio applications, all four combinations of male and female, plugs and sockets are equally common. A common misnomer is that 'plugs' are free connectors and 'sockets' are panel-mounted, but XLR uses many free female sockets and panel-mounted male plugs. There

824-464: A balanced audio system will also result in this effect at some point when it is later mixed-down with its other channel. Telephone lines also carry audio through balanced circuitry, though this is generally now limited to the local loop . It is called this because the two wires form a balanced loop through which both sides of the telephone call travel. As telephones require DC power to operate and to allow simple on/off hook detection, extra circuitry

927-478: A barrel, a spring, and a plunger. They are in applications such as the MagSafe connector where a quick disconnect is desired for safety. Because they rely on spring pressure, not friction, they can be more durable and less damaging than traditional pin and socket design, leading to their use in in-circuit testing . Crown spring connectors are commonly used for higher current flows and industrial applications. They have

1030-523: A better shield for the contacts, which may carry dangerous voltages when connected to an amplifier. Three-pin XLR connectors are used to interconnect powered speakers with line-level signals used for PA system applications. Rechargeable devices exist that use three-pin XLR connectors. These can be found on electric powered mobility wheelchairs and scooters. The connectors carry from 2 to 10 amps at 24 volts. An obsolete use for three-pin XLR connectors

1133-423: A cable, and screw terminals are generally not very well protected from contact with persons or foreign conducting materials. Terminal blocks (also called terminal boards or strips ) provide a convenient means of connecting individual electrical wires without a splice or physically joining the ends. Since terminal blocks are readily available for a wide range of wire sizes and terminal quantity, they are one of

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1236-469: A center pin to the standard five-pin design, whereas the newer Neutrik design is a different pattern. The Switchcraft six-pin female will accept a standard five-pin male plug whereas the Neutrik six-pin design will not. Neutrik offers connectors in both six-pin designs. The terminology for labeling the corresponding members of a pair of mating connectors follows the usual rules for the gender of connectors :

1339-553: A coating material with good conductivity, mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance helps to reduce the influence of passivating oxide layers and surface adsorbates, which limit metal-to-metal contact patches and contribute to contact resistance. For example, copper alloys have favorable mechanical properties for electrodes, but are hard to solder and prone to corrosion. Thus, copper pins are usually coated with gold to alleviate these pitfalls, especially for analog signals and high-reliability applications. Contact carriers that hold

1442-475: A common ground) and stereo intercom headset (three pins for the stereo headphone signal - left, right, and ground, and two pins for the unbalanced microphone signal). Additionally, five-pin XLR is commonly used for DC power in audio equipment. XLR 5 is used in aviation headsets , where it can supply power for active noise cancellation . Six-pin XLR connectors are used for dual channel intercom systems and stage lighting control applications. Another common use

1545-563: A connector specifically because it is not compatible with those from other sources, allowing control of what may be connected. No single connector has all the ideal properties for every application; the proliferation of types is a result of the diverse yet specific requirements of manufacturers. Electrical connectors essentially consist of two classes of materials: conductors and insulators. Properties important to conductor materials are contact resistance, conductivity , mechanical strength , formability , and resilience . Insulators must have

1648-440: A connector with hyperboloid contacts, each female contact has several equally spaced longitudinal wires twisted into a hyperbolic shape. These wires are highly resilient to strain, but still somewhat elastic, hence they essentially function as linear springs. As the male pin is inserted, axial wires in the socket half are deflected, wrapping themselves around the pin to provide a number of contact points. The internal wires that form

1751-740: A cylindrical housing and circular contact interface geometries. This is in contrast to the rectangular design of some connectors, e.g. USB or blade connectors . They are commonly used for easier engagement and disengagement, tight environmental sealing, and rugged mechanical performance. They are widely used in military, aerospace, industrial machinery, and rail, where MIL-DTL-5015 and MIL-DTL-38999 are commonly specified. Fields such as sound engineering and radio communication also use circular connectors, such as XLR and BNC . AC power plugs are also commonly circular, for example, Schuko plugs and IEC 60309 . The M12 connector , specified in IEC 61076-2-101,

1854-443: A decrease in insulation resistance and increase in conductor resistance; this increase generates more heat, and the cycle repeats. Fretting (so-called dynamic corrosion ) is a common failure mode in electrical connectors that have not been specifically designed to prevent it, especially in those that are frequently mated and de-mated. Surface corrosion is a risk for many metal parts in connectors, and can cause contacts to form

1957-493: A different connection method – e.g. the solder tabs on a male phone connector , and the male phone connector itself. In this example, the solder tabs connected to the cable represent the permanent connection, whilst the male connector portion interfaces with a female socket forming a detachable connection. There are many ways of applying a connector to a cable or device. Some of these methods can be accomplished without specialized tools. Other methods, while requiring

2060-420: A few amperes are more reliably terminated with other means, though "hot tap" press-on connectors find some use in automotive applications for additions to existing wiring. A common example is the multi-conductor flat ribbon cable used in computer disk drives; to terminate each of the many (approximately 40) wires individually would be slow and error-prone, but an insulation displacement connector can terminate all

2163-426: A good electrical connection and complete the circuit. An alternative type of plug and socket connection uses hyperboloid contacts , which makes a more reliable electrical connection. When working with multi-pin connectors, it is helpful to have a pinout diagram to identify the wire or circuit node connected to each pin. Some connector styles may combine pin and socket connection types in a single unit, referred to as

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2266-411: A high electrical resistance , withstand high temperatures, and be easy to manufacture for a precise fit Electrodes in connectors are usually made of copper alloys , due to their good conductivity and malleability . Alternatives include brass , phosphor bronze , and beryllium copper . The base electrode metal is often coated with another inert metal such as gold , nickel , or tin . The use of

2369-399: A high number of contact points, which provides a more electrically reliable connection than traditional pin and socket connectors. Whilst technically inaccurate, electrical connectors can be viewed as a type of adapter to convert between two connection methods, which are permanently connected at one end and (usually) detachable at the other end. By definition, each end of this "adapter" has

2472-424: A male plug (typically pin contacts) and a female socket (typically receptacle contacts). Often, but not always, sockets are permanently fixed to a device as in a chassis connector (see above) , and plugs are attached to a cable. Plugs generally have one or more pins or prongs that are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be sufficiently tight to make

2575-418: A method for locking the connector into a receptacle. In some cases, this backshell provides a hermetic seal , or some degree of ingress protection , through the use of grommets , O-rings , or potting . Hybrid connectors allow the intermixing of many connector types, usually by way of a housing with inserts. These housings may also allow intermixing of electrical and non-electrical interfaces, examples of

2678-468: A new standard of ruggedness, and economical alternatives were not readily available. Often, two-conductor loudspeaker cable had three-pin female connectors on both ends, to distinguish it from a three-conductor shielded signal-level cable, which has a female connector at one end and a male at the other. Either pin 2 or 3 was live, depending on the manufacturer, with pin 1 always the 'earth' return. This use has become both obsolete and dangerous to equipment but

2781-710: A notch to ensure proper orientation, while Mini-DIN plugs have a plastic projection that fits into a corresponding hole in the socket (they also have a notched metal skirt to provide secondary keying). Some connector housings are designed with locking mechanisms to prevent inadvertent disconnection or poor environmental sealing. Locking mechanism designs include locking levers of various sorts, jackscrews , screw-in shells, push-pull connector , and toggle or bayonet systems. Some connectors, particularly those with large numbers of contacts, require high forces to connect and disconnect. Locking levers and jackscrews and screw-in shells for such connectors frequently serve both to retain

2884-415: A risk of damage to the lighting equipment should an audio cable carrying 48-volt phantom power be accidentally connected. Four-pin XLR connectors are used in a variety of applications. They are the standard connector for intercom headsets, such as systems made by Clear-Com and Telex . Two pins are used for the mono headphone signal and two pins for the unbalanced microphone signal. Another common use

2987-468: A special tool, can assemble connectors much faster and more reliably, and make repairs easier. The number of times a connector can connect and disconnect with its counterpart while meeting all its specifications is termed as mating cycles and is an indirect measure of connector lifespan. The material used for connector contact, plating type and thickness is a major factor that determines the mating cycles. Plug and socket connectors are usually made up of

3090-427: A thin surface layer that increases resistance, thus contributing to heat buildup and intermittent connections. However, remating or reseating a connector can alleviate the issue of surface corrosion, since each cycle scrapes a microscopic layer off the surface of the contact(s), exposing a fresh, unoxidised surface. Many connectors used for industrial and high-reliability applications are circular in cross section, with

3193-411: A total of four styles. This is slightly unusual as many other connector designs omit one of the styles (typically a chassis mounting male connector). The female XLR connectors are designed with a longer metal sleeve to first connect pin 1 (the earth pin), before the other pins make contact, when a male XLR connector is inserted. With the ground connection established before the signal lines are connected,

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3296-486: A type of solderless connection, using mechanical friction and uniform deformation to secure a connector to a pre-stripped wire (usually stranded). Crimping is used in splice connectors, crimped multipin plugs and sockets, and crimped coaxial connectors. Crimping usually requires a specialised crimping tool, but the connectors are quick and easy to install and are a common alternative to solder connections or insulation displacement connectors. Effective crimp connections deform

3399-486: A wide range. It is common for modern mixers to have a built-in switch-operated 48-volt power supply which supplies all mic inputs with phantom power, thus eliminating the need for bulky external supplies on individual mics. The XLD connector is a proposed keyed variant of the XLR connector. The keys prevent accidental mixing of XLR and XLD connectors. XLD plugs and sockets are used mostly in professional audio and video electronics cabling applications. The XLD connector

3502-485: Is a circular electrical plug/receptacle pair with 12mm OD mating threads, used in NMEA 2000 , DeviceNet , IO-Link , some kinds of Industrial Ethernet , etc. A disadvantage of the circular design is its inefficient use of panel space when used in arrays, when compared to rectangular connectors. Circular connectors commonly use backshells , which provide physical and electromagnetic protection, whilst sometimes also providing

3605-463: Is a connector that installs on the surface of a bulkhead or enclosure, and mates with its reciprocal, the plug . According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers , the stationary (more fixed) connector of a pair is classified as a jack (denoted J), usually attached to a piece of equipment as in a chassis-mount or panel-mount connector. The movable (less fixed) connector is classified as

3708-404: Is a loose convention for audio work that signals are generated by equipment with male pins and transmitted to those with female receptacles. The circumference of an XLR connector at the widest point is 59.7 mm (2.35 in). Three-pin XLR connectors are by far the most common style, and are an industry standard for balanced audio signals. The great majority of professional microphones use

3811-778: Is also a common power connector in modular professional audio systems, such as the Automated Processes, Inc. 's (API) Lunchbox format. This format is becoming increasingly popular and five-pin XLR for DC power is used by many third-party module and chassis developers such as BAE Audio and JLM Audio. It is also used by Slate Digital for the VMS1 microphone preamp. Typically the pin configuration is: Pin 1: Chassis Ground Pin 2: Power Ground Pin 3: Positive Voltage (Typically +15 volts or +16 volts) Pin 4: Negative Voltage (Typically -15 volts or -16 volts) Pin 5: Phantom Power Voltage (Typically +48 volts) Where XLR connectors are used for DC power,

3914-412: Is canceled out by the differential device in the receiver. If the noise source is extremely close to the cable, then it is possible it will be induced on one of the lines more than the other, and it will not be canceled as well, but canceling will still occur to the extent of the amount of noise that is equal on both lines. The separate shield that is commonly provided in a balanced audio cable also yields

4017-451: Is for DC power connections for professional film and video cameras and related equipment. Some desk microphones with LEDs use them. The fourth pin is used to power the LED indicating that the microphone is on. Other uses for the four-pin XLR include some scrollers (colour-changing devices for stage lighting), AMX analog lighting control (now obsolete) and some pyrotechnic equipment. Four-pin XLR

4120-448: Is not driven, care is taken to assure that the impedance to ground is equal to the impedance of the driven side. Balanced audio connections use a number of techniques to reduce noise. A typical balanced cable contains two identical wires, which are twisted together and then wrapped with a third conductor (foil or braid) that acts as a shield . The two wires form a circuit that can carry an audio signal . The term balanced comes from

4223-436: Is often referred to as a quasi-balanced or impedance-balanced output, though it is, in fact, fully balanced and will reject common-mode interference. However, there are some minor benefits to driving the line with a fully differential output: Professional audio products (recording, public address, etc.) generally provide balanced inputs and outputs, typically via XLR or TRS phone connectors . However, in most cases,

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4326-430: Is often used in power connectors to protect equipment, e.g. connecting safety ground first. It is also employed for digital signals, as a method to sequence connections properly in hot swapping . Many connectors are keyed with some mechanical component (sometimes called a keyway ), which prevents mating in an incorrect orientation. This can be used to prevent mechanical damage to connectors, from being jammed in at

4429-486: Is phantom power, which consists of direct current applied equally through the two signal lines of a balanced audio connector , usually a three-pin XLR connector. The supply voltage is referenced to the ground pin of the connector (pin 1 of an XLR), which normally is connected to the cable shield or a ground wire in the cable or both. Phantom power is usually supplied at a nominal 48 volts DC, although lower voltages are permissible and modern microphones will often operate over

4532-475: Is professional stereo headset with balanced microphone (headphone left-pin 4, headphone right-pin 5, headphone common-pin 3, mic high-pin 2, mic low-pin 1, mic ground-pin 6). Seven-pin XLR connectors are used to connect some valve (tube) condenser microphones to their power supplies (carrying signal, polarisation voltage, heater and HT). Used by several models of Le Maitre and Ultratec fog machines for remote control. An obsolete use for seven-pin XLR connectors

4635-508: Is proposed by the Audio Engineering Society AES42 digital microphone interface standard. The connectors are similar to XLR but with an extra coding key and groove that allows control over the intermating of XLD plugs and XLR sockets. A connector with the coding key installed will not mate with a connector that does not have the matching groove. By suitably keying connectors, analog microphones can be protected from damage by

4738-521: Is still sometimes encountered on older equipment. For example, some loudspeakers have a built-in male connector as an input connector for speaker-level signal. This has been superseded in professional audio applications by the Neutrik Speakon connector . Three pin XLR connectors are popular power connectors for charging ebike batteries (24V, 36v and 48v). Some microphones such as condenser microphones require power. An alternative to battery power

4841-453: Is that balanced audio requires the signal source to deliver equal waveforms of opposite polarity to the two signal conductors of the balanced line. However, many balanced devices actively drive only one side of the line, but do so at an impedance that is equal to the impedance of the non-driven side of the line. This impedance balance permits the balanced line receiver (input stage of the next device) to reject common-mode signals introduced to

4944-416: Is that the output is a male connector and the input is female. In other words, the pins on the plug point in the direction of signal flow. Phantom power , if used, originates from the socket and flows into the plug, (the opposite direction to the signal and the normal direction for power circuits). The voltages of microphone and line level audio signals are not hazardous. The male XLR is usually incorporated in

5047-453: Is the standard connector for DMX512 , the most common protocol for controlling professional lighting and related equipment. Three-pin XLR connectors are increasingly common instead. These are electrically compatible with a simple jumpering 1–1, 2–2, 3–3 between them. However, using three-pin XLR connectors for DMX512 is specifically prohibited by section 7.1.2 of the DMX512 standard. Five-pin XLR

5150-435: Is used for balanced headphone connections, from a balanced amplifier, where there is no common earth between the two channels. Connection diagram: 1. left channel (+) phase; 2. left channel (−) phase; 3. right channel (+) phase; 4. right channel (−) phase. Five-pin XLR connectors are the standard for DMX512 digital lighting control. Other common uses are for dual-element or stereo microphones (two balanced audio signals with

5253-567: Is used on most professional video cameras and is also common on audio equipment designed for location use. There are other non-standard arrangements, particularly found on older equipment. Clear-Com, Telex, RTS and many other production intercom systems use four-pin XLR connectors for attaching monaural intercom headsets or handsets. The standard pinout for four-pin XLR headsets is: Pin 1 = Microphone ground (screen/shield); Pin 2 = Microphone signal ("hot") input; Pin 3 = Headphone ground (return); Pin 4 = Headphone signal ("hot") output. The five-pin XLR

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5356-513: The Neutrik company, which made improvements to the connector, and produced a second-generation design (the X-series) that had only four parts for the cable connector, and eliminated the small screws used in the models of XLR connectors made by Cannon and Switchcraft, as well as in earlier Neutrik series. XLR connectors are available in male and female versions in both cable and chassis mounting designs,

5459-420: The differential mode , meaning the wires carry signals that are equal in magnitude but of opposite polarity to each other (for instance, in an XLR connector , pin 2 carries the signal with normal polarity, and pin 3 carries an inverted version of the same signal). Despite popular belief, this arrangement is not necessary for noise rejection. As long as the impedances are balanced, noise will couple equally into

5562-556: The physical layer in the OSI model of networking. In addition to the classes mentioned above, connectors are characterised by their pinout , method of connection , materials, size, contact resistance , insulation , mechanical durability, ingress protection , lifetime (number of cycles), and ease of use. It is usually desirable for a connector to be easy to identify visually, rapid to assemble, inexpensive, and require only simple tooling. In some cases an equipment manufacturer might choose

5665-404: The power amplifiers of a public address system are located at any distance from the mixing console , it is also normal to use balanced lines for the signal paths from the mixer to these amplifiers. Many other components, such as graphic equalizers and effects units, have balanced inputs and outputs to allow this. In recording and for short cable runs in general, a compromise is necessary between

5768-607: The 1920s by Wilhelm Harold Frederick. In the 1950s, Francois Bonhomme popularised hyperboloid contacts with his "Hypertac" connector, which was later acquired by Smiths Group . During the following decades, the connectors steadily gained popularity, and are still used for medical, industrial, military, aerospace, and rail applications (particularly trains in Europe). Pogo pin or spring loaded connectors are commonly used in consumer and industrial products, where mechanical resilience and ease of use are priorities. The connector consists of

5871-535: The USA. To deliver ensured signal stability in extreme environments, traditional pin and socket design may become inadequate. Hyperboloid contacts are designed to withstand more extreme physical demands, such as vibration and shock. They also require around 40% less insertion force  – as low as 0.3 newtons (1 oz f ) per contact,  – which extends the lifespan, and in some cases offers an alternative to zero insertion force connectors. In

5974-503: The XLR connector. In previous years, they were used for loudspeaker connections, for instance by Trace Elliot in its bass enclosures. The XLR could accept 14 AWG (1.6 mm or 0.063 in) wire with a current-carrying capacity of 15 amps, suitable for most loudspeakers, but they have been superseded by the Speakon connector for professional loudspeakers. The Speakon connector accepts larger wire and carries more current, and it provides

6077-499: The XLR type shell exist, with various pin configurations. One is the now obsolete three-pin power pattern connector manufactured by ITT Cannon . The power Cannon (also called the XLR-LNE connector) had shrouded pins and red insulation; it was intended as a mains power plug , alternative to the IEC 60320 series of connectors, but was only used on a few pieces of equipment. A two-pin variant

6180-418: The board. The connectors in the top row of the image are known as ring terminals and spade terminals (sometimes called fork or split ring terminals). Electrical contact is made by the flat surface of the ring or spade, while mechanically they are attached by passing a screw or bolt through them. The spade terminal form factor facilitates connections since the screw or bolt can be left partially screwed in as

6283-403: The body of a microphone . Since equipment often requires an input on a TRS phone jack or an XLR connector, Neutrik and Amphenol offer several models of combination connector that accept both XLR and 6.5 mm ( 1 ⁄ 4  in) TS or TRS phone plugs. The most common standard is for pin 1 to be ground and pin 4 to be 12 volts (nominal), with pins 2 and 3 unused. This configuration

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6386-410: The cable and connector, and when this heat melts plastic dielectric, it can cause short circuits or "flared" (conical) insulation. Solder joints are also more prone to mechanical failure than crimped joints when subjected to vibration and compression. Since stripping insulation from wires is time-consuming, many connectors intended for rapid assembly use insulation-displacement connectors which cut

6489-489: The cable is shielded, and many connectors connect it internally to the connector shell or case. Although covered in industry technical standards, there is still some disagreement on the best way to handle the use of pin 1 for grounding (earthing). The main controversy is whether the shell of the connector should be connected to pin 1 or the shield, or left floating. AES standards mentioned above recommend that shells of cable-mounted connectors should never be connected to pin 1 or

6592-441: The coaxial S/PDIF interface commonly seen on consumer equipment is unbalanced. Balanced and unbalanced circuits can be interfaced by the use of a balun , often through a DI unit (also called a "DI box" or "direct box"). As a last resort a balanced audio line can be fed into an unbalanced input and vice versa as long as the electronic design used for the output stage is known. In the case of balanced output to unbalanced input,

6695-403: The connection and add strain relief. Metal solder buckets or solder cups are provided, which consist of a cylindrical cavity that an installer fills with solder before inserting the wire. When creating soldered connections, it is possible to melt the dielectric between pins or wires. This can cause problems because the thermal conductivity of metals causes heat to quickly distribute through

6798-458: The connector and/or cable from environmental or mechanical stress, or shield it from electromagnetic interference . Many types of backshells are available for different purposes, including various sizes, shapes, materials, and levels of protection. Backshells usually lock onto the cable with a clamp or moulded boot, and may be threaded for attachment to a mating receptacle. Backshells for military and aerospace use are regulated by SAE AS85049 within

6901-510: The connector when connected and to provide the force needed for connection and disconnection. Depending on application requirements, housings with locking mechanisms may be tested under various environmental simulations that include physical shock and vibration, water spray, dust, etc. to ensure the integrity of the electrical connection and housing seals. Backshells are a common accessory for industrial and high-reliability connectors, especially circular connectors . Backshells typically protect

7004-510: The extra amplifier stages or transformers required for front-end unbalancing and back-end rebalancing. Three-pin XLR connectors and quarter-inch (¼" or 6.35   mm) TRS phone connectors are commonly used for balanced audio interfaces. Many jacks are now designed to take either XLR or TRS phone plugs. Equipment intended for long-term installation sometimes uses terminal strips or Euroblock connectors. Some balanced headphone connections also use

7107-641: The function of a circuit – so connectors should affect the function of a circuit as little as possible. Insecure mounting of connectors (primarily chassis-mounted) can contribute significantly to the risk of failure, especially when subjected to extreme shock or vibration. Other causes of failure are connectors inadequately rated for the applied current and voltage, connectors with inadequate ingress protection, and threaded backshells that are worn or damaged. High temperatures can also cause failure in connectors, resulting in an "avalanche" of failures – ambient temperature increases, leading to

7210-627: The genders are reversed with respect to their standard use for line-level and mic-level audio. Typically, audio signals on XLR connectors "follow the pin," such that a male connector is an output and a female connector is an input. In most power applications (not just XLR connectors) the female connector is the output and the male connector is the input. This makes accidental contact with live parts less likely. In audio devices it also prevents accidental application of DC power to signal inputs. Three-pin XLR connectors were once used extensively on loudspeaker cables, because when first introduced they represented

7313-446: The high current digital phantom power supply provided for digital microphones. The Mini XLR Connector , also known as the "TQG" or "TA3"/"TA4" connector (number depending on number of poles), is used on compact items such as UHF wireless microphone beltpacks, some studio and field recording headphones, as well as Audio Technica condenser microphones, but is not in general use on major items such as mixing desks. The Mini XLR Connector

7416-490: The hyperboloid structure are usually anchored at each end by bending the tip into a groove or notch in the housing. Whilst hyperboloid contacts may be the only option to make a reliable connection in some circumstances, they have the disadvantage of taking up greater volume in a connector, which can cause problems for high-density connectors. They are also significantly more expensive than traditional pin and socket contacts, which has limited their uptake since their invention in

7519-495: The insertion (and removal) of XLR connectors in live equipment is possible without hearing an annoying static pop (as usually happens with, for example, RCA connectors). The number of pins varies. As of 2016, XLR connectors are available with up to 10 pins, and mini XLR connectors with up to eight. XLR connectors from different manufacturers will intermate, with the exception of six-pin models, which are available in two incompatible designs. The older Switchcraft six-pin design adds

7622-574: The insulation as the wire is inserted. These generally take the form of a fork-shaped opening in the terminal, into which the insulated wire is pressed, which cut through the insulation to contact the conductor. To make these connections reliably on a production line, special tools accurately control the forces applied during assembly. On small scales, these tools tend to cost more than tools for crimped connections. Insulation displacement connectors are usually used with small conductors for signal purposes and at low voltage. Power conductors carrying more than

7725-458: The internal circuitry is entirely unbalanced. A small number of audio products have been designed with an entirely balanced signal path from input to output; the circuitry maintains its impedance balance throughout the device. This design is achieved by providing identical (mirrored) internal signal paths for both the "hot" and "cold" conductors. In critical applications, a 100% balanced circuit design can offer better signal integrity by avoiding

7828-489: The international standard for dimensions, IEC 61076-2-103. The XLR connector resembles the DIN connector , but is larger, more robust and physically incompatible. The generic term "XLR" began as a trademark of Cannon Electric , with the letters standing for X model connector with an added "l"atch feature, and "r"esilient neoprene rubber surrounding the female contacts. The XLR connector (also Cannon plug and Cannon connector )

7931-498: The latter being pneumatic line connectors, and optical fiber connectors . Because hybrid connectors are modular in nature, they tend to simplify assembly, repair, and future modifications. They also allow the creation of composite cable assemblies that can reduce equipment installation time by reducing the number of individual cable and connector assemblies. Some connectors are designed such that certain pins make contact before others when inserted, and break first on disconnection. This

8034-519: The metal of the connector past its yield point so that the compressed wire causes tension in the surrounding connector, and these forces counter each other to create a high degree of static friction . Due to the elastic element in crimped connections, they are highly resistant to vibration and thermal shock . Crimped contacts are permanent (i.e. the connectors and wire ends cannot be reused). Crimped plug-and-socket connectors can be classified as rear release or front release . This relates to

8137-434: The method of balancing the impedance of each wire in the circuit; the line and all circuits directly connected to it (such as the driver and receiver) must have identical impedances with respect to some reference point. This means that much of the electromagnetic interference will induce an equal noise voltage in each wire. Since the differential device at the receiving end only responds to the difference in voltage between

8240-425: The most flexible types of electrical connector available. One type of terminal block accepts wires that are prepared only by stripping a short length of insulation from the end. Another type, often called barrier strips , accepts wires that have ring or spade terminal lugs crimped onto the wires. Printed circuit board (PCB) mounted screw terminals let individual wires connect to a PCB through leads soldered to

8343-411: The noise reduction given by balanced lines and the cost introduced by the extra circuitry they require. Some devices, usually with a transformer output, provide a balanced output that is "floating" with respect to ground; the impedance to ground from each side of the output is high. More commonly, devices drive one or both sides of the balanced interface with a signal referenced to ground. When one side

8446-504: The parts of a connector together are usually made of plastic, due to its insulating properties. Housings or backshells can be made of molded plastic and metal. Connector bodies for high-temperature use, such as thermocouples or associated with large incandescent lamps , may be made of fired ceramic material. The majority of connector failures result in intermittent connections or open contacts: Connectors are purely passive components – that is, they do not enhance

8549-445: The radio frequency shielding provided by the shell of the connector, which may be reduced if it is left floating. An alternative solution is to connect the shell to pin 1 and the shield through a small value capacitor, providing RF shielding but allowing very little audio-frequency current to flow. This capability can be built into a fixed jack or a cable terminated with XLR connectors. The standard signal flow for audio in XLR connectors

8652-410: The receiver which can be rejected by a differential device. Balanced connections typically use shielded twisted-pair cable and three-conductor connectors. The connectors are usually three-pin XLR or 1 ⁄ 4 inch (6.35 mm) TRS phone connectors. When used in this manner, each cable carries one channel, therefore stereo audio (for example) would require two of them. A common misconception

8755-490: The same gender of connector, as in many Ethernet patch cables. In other applications the two ends are terminated differently, either with male and female of the same connector (as in an extension cord ), or with incompatible connectors, which is sometimes called an adapter cable . Plugs and sockets are widely used in various connector systems including blade connectors, breadboards , XLR connectors , car power outlets , banana connectors , and phone connectors . A jack

8858-423: The shield, because inadvertent contact of the shell with another grounded surface while in use can create unwanted current paths for fault current, potentially causing hum and other noise. On the other hand, equipment containing active circuitry should always have pin 1 connected to the conductive enclosure of the equipment as close as possible to the point where the signal enters the enclosure. The argument centers on

8961-423: The side of the connector where the pins are anchored: Many plug and socket connectors are attached to a wire or cable by soldering conductors to electrodes on the back of the connector. Soldered joints in connectors are robust and reliable if executed correctly, but are usually slower to make than crimped connections. When wires are to be soldered to the back of a connector, a backshell is often used to protect

9064-567: The spade terminal is removed or attached. Their sizes can be determined by the gauge of the conducting wire, and the interior and exterior diameters. Balanced audio Balanced audio is a method of interconnecting audio equipment using balanced interfaces. This type of connection is very important in sound recording and production because it allows the use of long cables while reducing susceptibility to external noise caused by electromagnetic interference. The balanced interface guarantees that induced noise appears as common-mode voltages at

9167-422: The tip is signal/non-inverting, the ring is return/inverting, and the sleeve is chassis ground. If a stereophonic or other binaural signal is plugged into such a jack, one channel (usually the right) will be subtracted from the other (usually the left), leaving an unlistenable L − R (left minus right) signal instead of normal monophonic L + R (left plus right). Reversing the polarity at any other point in

9270-419: The tip of a bolt clamping onto a stripped conductor. They can be used to join multiple conductors, to connect wires to a printed circuit board , or to terminate a cable into a plug or socket. The clamping screw may act in the longitudinal axis (parallel to the wire) or the transverse axis (perpendicular to the wire), or both. Some disadvantages are that connecting wires is more difficult than simply plugging in

9373-399: The two conductors by electromagnetic coupling. Many microphones operate at low voltage levels and some with high output impedance (hi-Z), which makes long microphone cables especially susceptible to electromagnetic interference . Microphone interconnections are therefore a common application for a balanced interconnection, which allows the receiver to reject most of this induced noise. If

9476-419: The two signal lines, noise that is identical on both wires is rejected. This method can be implemented with a differential amplifier . A transformer may also be used instead of an active input stage. A twisted pair makes the loop area between the conductors as small as possible, and ensures that a magnetic field that passes equally through adjacent loops will induce equal levels of noise on both lines, which

9579-401: The two wires (and be rejected by a differential amplifier), regardless of the signal that is present on them. A simple method of driving a balanced line is to inject the signal into the "hot" wire through a known source impedance , and connect the "cold" wire to the signal's local ground reference through an identical impedance. Due to common misconceptions about differential signalling, this

9682-581: The wires in a single action. Another very common use is so-called punch-down blocks used for terminating unshielded twisted pair wiring. Binding posts are a single-wire connection method, where stripped wire is screwed or clamped to a metal electrode. Such connectors are frequently used in electronic test equipment and audio. Many binding posts also accept a banana plug . Screw connections are frequently used for semi-permanent wiring and connections inside devices, due to their simple but reliable construction. The basic principle of all screw terminals involves

9785-416: The wiring of pins 2 and 3 varied. The pin 2 "hot" and pin 3 "cold" convention was typically used by European and Japanese equipment manufacturers, but American companies used pin 3 "hot" and pin 2 "cold". This caused problems when interconnecting equipment with unbalanced connections. The pin 3 "hot" convention is now obsolete but is still found on vintage equipment. Pin 1 has always been ground and/or shield if

9888-435: The wrong angle or into the wrong connector, or to prevent incompatible or dangerous electrical connections, such as plugging an audio cable into a power outlet. Keying also prevents otherwise symmetrical connectors from being connected in the wrong orientation or polarity . Keying is particularly important for situations where there are many similar connectors, such as in signal electronics. For instance, XLR connectors have

9991-599: Was also the XLP series of connectors with hard plastic insulation, but the XLR model name is commonly used for all of the variants. Originally, the ITT Cannon company manufactured XLR connectors in two locations: Kanagawa, Japan, and Melbourne, Australia. The Australian factory was sold to Alcatel Components in 1992 and then acquired by Amphenol in 1998. Later, the Switchcraft corporation manufactured compatible connectors, followed by

10094-464: Was analogue lighting control signals, as well as for wired intercom in broadcast studios, specifically with Ward-Beck intercoms. The loudspeaker Cannon (known as a PDN connector) had blue or white insulation (depending on its gender ), and was intended for connections between audio power amplifiers and loudspeakers . These are manufactured by Amphenol (formerly by Alcatel Components and ITT Cannon Australia). Many other types of connectors using

10197-546: Was developed where one signal wire is fed from the exchange power bus, typically −50 volts, and the other grounded, both via equal value inductors which have about 400 ohms DC resistance, to avoid short-circuiting the wanted AC signal and to maintain impedance balance. Digital audio connections in professional environments are also frequently balanced, normally following the AES3 (AES/EBU) standard. This uses XLR connectors and twisted-pair cable with 110-ohm impedance. By contrast,

10300-522: Was first devised by Switchcraft and is also available from Rean, and various other sources. As yet, the Mini XLR connectors do not appear to be covered by any ISO or national standard. Electrical connector The connection may be removable (as for portable equipment), require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two points. An adapter can be used to join dissimilar connectors. Most electrical connectors have

10403-466: Was for MIDI data on some Octave-Plateau synthesizers including the Voyetra-8 . The three-pin XLR connector is commonly used for DMX512 , on lighting and related control equipment, particularly at the budget / DJ end of the market. However, using three-pin XLR connectors for DMX512 is specifically prohibited by section 7.1.2 of the DMX512 standard. Use of the three-pin XLR in this context firstly presents

10506-590: Was invented by James H. Cannon , founder of the Cannon Electric company, Los Angeles, California. The XLR connector originated from the Cannon X series of connectors; by 1950, a latching mechanism was added to the connector, which produced the Cannon XL model of connector, and by 1955, the female connector featured synthetic-rubber insulation polychloroprene (neoprene) , identified with the part-number prefix XLR . There

10609-445: Was used as the DC power input socket on Yamaha's 1970s CP-series 'Electric Grand' pianos (CP-60, CP-70 and CP-80). This section contains more technical information relating the most common applications of XLR connectors. EIA Standard RS-297-A describes the use of the three-pin XLR - known as XLR3 - for balanced audio signal level applications: Prior to the introduction of this standard,

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