Are you looking to upgrade your audio equipment or create custom patch cords?
One of the simplest and most universal DIY projects is wiring a phono plug, also known as an RCA connector.
With just a few tools and some basic knowledge, you can easily attach a phono plug to a length of wire and improve your audio experience.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step by step, from selecting the right cable to soldering the connections.
So grab your soldering iron and let’s get started!
How To Wire A Phono Plug
Step 1: Choose the Right Cable
When selecting a cable for your phono plug, it’s important to choose a screened audio cable. Keep in mind that phono plugs typically cannot accommodate thick audio cables with a diameter of more than 4mm without damaging the strain relief of the cable shell.
The cable retaining claw in the plug is often only good for a smaller diameter of about 2-3mm, so it’s best to select screened cable of 2-3mm diameter for most phono plugs.
Step 2: Prepare the Plug
Before wiring the plug, it’s a good idea to insert the metal part into a suitable RCA socket in a clamp. Slide the plug shell and strain relief coil onto the cable first, resisting the temptation to use the socket on a piece of equipment.
The reason to mate the plug with a socket is that the insulation holding the pin is a soft thermoplastic. If a lot of heat is needed to tin the center pin, this softens and the pin ends up skewed relative to the ground connection, making the plug a bad fit. This can still soften when using the socket, but now the socket will keep the parts concentric.
Step 3: Soldering
The center pin of the plug is usually hollow, and it’s necessary to solder the center conductor of the screened cable to this. Particularly with nickel-plated plugs, this needs a lot of heat, so tin the center pin first.
The amount of outer jacket that has to be removed can be measured, allowing for about 5mm of the inner conductor to go into the pin. The outer jacket should be gripped by the claw, so the shield braid needs to be twisted together to form a pigtail which can be formed around the outside of the ground connector with a pair of needle-nosed pliers.
When this is soldered, excess can be trimmed off. Next, strip back a little of the center conductor, allowing for creep-back of insulation when wire is heated and soldered to pre-tinned inner pin.
Step 4: Finish Up
Once all connections are soldered and cooled down enough to touch, form cable clamp around cable sheath and bring plug shell back and screw it to plug. Then remove from socket used to keep it together during soldering.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully wired your phono plug. Now you can enjoy improved audio quality or create custom patch cords for your audio components.
Understanding Phono Plugs And RCA Connectors
Phono plugs, also known as RCA connectors, are a type of electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. They are named after the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design in the 1930s. The connectors male plug and female jack are called RCA plug and RCA jack. It is also called RCA phono connector or phono connector.
RCA jacks are often used in phono inputs, a set of input jacks usually located on the rear panel of a preamp, mixer or amplifier, especially on early radio sets, to which a phonograph or turntable is attached. RCA type plugs are usually color coded red (right) and white (left) for stereo interconnection.
Phono plugs or RCA connectors are smaller cinch type connectors, often used for connecting “line level” audio signals in consumer products. You’ll likely recognize the red and white color-coded stereo cables from their use in connecting together older hifi system components, or alternatively the yellow plugs that carry analog video signals to TVs from old DVD players, VCRs, or video game consoles.
Since they can only carry unbalanced signals, they’re only good for relatively short-distance transmission of audio and video signals. They are still fairly common, particularly for connecting record player turntables to phono input stages, or for connecting home theater subwoofers.
It’s important to note that phono plugs are not without their flaws. Despite being widespread, their design is poor and they can be difficult to solder properly. However, with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to successfully wire a phono plug and enjoy improved audio quality or create custom patch cords for your audio components.
Choosing The Right Cable For Your Project
When it comes to choosing the right cable for your phono plug, it’s important to consider the diameter of the cable and the strain relief of the plug. A screened audio cable with a diameter of 2-3mm is typically recommended for most phono plugs to avoid damaging the strain relief of the cable shell.
It’s also important to keep in mind that phono plugs cannot accommodate thick audio cables with a diameter of more than 4mm. Using a screened audio cable of the appropriate diameter will ensure a secure and reliable connection.
In addition, it’s recommended to mate the plug with a suitable RCA socket in a clamp before wiring the plug. This will help to prevent any damage to the insulation holding the pin and ensure that the parts remain concentric during soldering.
Step-by-Step Guide To Wiring Your Phono Plug
Wiring a phono plug can seem intimidating, but it’s actually a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you wire your phono plug.
Step 1: Choose the Right Cable
Start by selecting a screened audio cable that is no more than 4mm in diameter. This will ensure that the cable can fit into the phono plug without damaging the strain relief of the cable shell.
Step 2: Prepare the Plug
Insert the metal part of the plug into a suitable RCA socket in a clamp. Slide the plug shell and strain relief coil onto the cable first, resisting the temptation to use the socket on a piece of equipment. This will keep the parts concentric and prevent any damage to the insulation holding the pin.
Step 3: Soldering
The center pin of the plug is usually hollow, and it’s necessary to solder the center conductor of the screened cable to this. Tin the center pin first, particularly with nickel-plated plugs, as this requires a lot of heat. Measure how much outer jacket needs to be removed to allow for about 5mm of inner conductor to go into the pin. Grip the outer jacket with the claw and twist the shield braid together to form a pigtail. Form this pigtail around the outside of the ground connector with needle-nosed pliers and solder it. Trim off any excess. Strip back a little of the center conductor and solder it to the pre-tinned inner pin.
Step 4: Finish Up
Once all connections are soldered and cooled down enough to touch, form cable clamp around cable sheath and bring plug shell back and screw it to plug. Then remove from socket used to keep it together during soldering.
By following these steps, you can successfully wire your phono plug and improve your audio quality or create custom patch cords for your audio components.
Testing Your Phono Plug And Troubleshooting Common Issues
Testing Your Phono Plug And Troubleshooting Common Issues:
After wiring your phono plug, it’s important to test it to ensure that it’s working properly. One way to do this is to connect the plug to an audio source and listen for sound. If you don’t hear anything, there may be a problem with the wiring or the connections.
To troubleshoot common issues, here are some steps you can take:
1. Make sure all the components are mounted correctly, and that the orientation is correct. Check that all component leads are soldered, and look for bad solder joints or shortcuts between the joints.
2. Cut all leads underneath the boards so that they are flush with the solder joint. Check that no leads on either side of the boards are touching each other.
3. Double-check all the connections between the boards and to the back panel. Don’t let the bottom of the boards or the component leads touch the enclosure or any other conductive surface.
4. Pay special attention to all cable connections and double-check that they are correct. Make sure that the phono connectors don’t have any plastic shims on the inside of the back panel. There are ground connections on the inside of the back panel that connect all the RCA connectors and the ground screw.
If you encounter issues with your phono plug, here are some common problems and their solutions:
1. No sound: Confirm that your speakers are turned on and not muted in Windows. You can test your speakers while connected to an audio source by choosing Meeting -> Manage My Settings -> Audio Setup Wizard, and selecting Next. A screen should appear with an option to test your speakers. If you hear music playing, then you’ve successfully configured your computer. If not, then your speakers are either muted or turned off.
2. Poor audio quality: This can be caused by a number of issues and can sometimes be resolved by closing your browser and reconnecting to the audio source. A common source of poor sound or frequently halting audio is too slow an internet connection.
3. Slides have frozen or are out of sync with the presenter: These sync issues are often caused by network connectivity issues and can be resolved by closing your web browser and clicking on the link you originally received by email to rejoin the audio source.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your phono plug is properly wired and troubleshoot any common issues that may arise.
