Difference between revisions of "Adapter cable"
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==Basics== | ==Basics== | ||
There are two basic types of adapter cables: | There are two basic types of adapter cables: | ||
| − | #Cables that have connectors for balanced connection on both ends ''or'' cables tha thave connectors for unbalanced connections on both ends. These will be referred to as "Balanced ''or'' Unbalanced | + | #Cables that have connectors for balanced connection on both ends ''or'' cables tha thave connectors for unbalanced connections on both ends. These will be referred to as "Balanced ''or'' Unbalanced adapter cables." |
| − | #Cable that have connectors for balanced connections on one end and unbalanced connections on the other end. These will be referred to as "Balanced ''to'' Unbalanced | + | #Cable that have connectors for balanced connections on one end and unbalanced connections on the other end. These will be referred to as "Balanced ''to'' Unbalanced adapter cables." |
| − | ===Balanced ''or'' Unbalanced | + | ===Balanced ''or'' Unbalanced adapter cables=== |
| + | ====Balanced adapter cables=== | ||
| + | "Balanced" adapter cables must be constructed with a cable that has a "twisted-pair" of signal conductors. This means simply that there are two signal conductor wires of equal size and insulation that are twisted along the length of the cable. Twisting the conductors together both helps to insure they retain similar and consistent impedance characteristics and helps reduce the pick-up of interference induced on them by electromagnetic fields. Further isolation from interference is usually provided by an over-all "shield" in the form of a tubular conductor through which the twisted-pair runs. The shield is typically connected to some form of ground that is referenced to signal ground. | ||
| − | ===Balanced to Unbalanced | + | The connectors must have three conductors to provide connection for the twisted pair and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnection are the 3-pin XLR and 1/4" T.R.S. "phone" plug. The name "phone" refers to the original use of this type of connector in early telephone "switchboards." |
| + | |||
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| + | ===Balanced to Unbalanced adapter cables=== | ||
[[Category:Terminology]] | [[Category:Terminology]] | ||
[[Category:Analog interconnects]] | [[Category:Analog interconnects]] | ||
[[Category:Digital interconnects]] | [[Category:Digital interconnects]] | ||
Revision as of 13:58, 6 March 2012
Overview
The term "Adapter cable" is used to describe an interconnect cable with different connectors on each end. This type of cable can be used to either connect two pieces of equipment that both have either balanced or unbalanced connections; or to connect balanced equipment to unbalanced equipment.
Basics
There are two basic types of adapter cables:
- Cables that have connectors for balanced connection on both ends or cables tha thave connectors for unbalanced connections on both ends. These will be referred to as "Balanced or Unbalanced adapter cables."
- Cable that have connectors for balanced connections on one end and unbalanced connections on the other end. These will be referred to as "Balanced to Unbalanced adapter cables."
Balanced or Unbalanced adapter cables
=Balanced adapter cables
"Balanced" adapter cables must be constructed with a cable that has a "twisted-pair" of signal conductors. This means simply that there are two signal conductor wires of equal size and insulation that are twisted along the length of the cable. Twisting the conductors together both helps to insure they retain similar and consistent impedance characteristics and helps reduce the pick-up of interference induced on them by electromagnetic fields. Further isolation from interference is usually provided by an over-all "shield" in the form of a tubular conductor through which the twisted-pair runs. The shield is typically connected to some form of ground that is referenced to signal ground.
The connectors must have three conductors to provide connection for the twisted pair and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnection are the 3-pin XLR and 1/4" T.R.S. "phone" plug. The name "phone" refers to the original use of this type of connector in early telephone "switchboards."