Adapter cable - Revision history

Brad Johnson at 17:01, 21 May 2014

2014-05-21T17:01:09Z

Brad Johnson at 23:20, 22 April 2014

2014-04-22T23:20:21Z

Brad Johnson at 22:35, 22 April 2014

2014-04-22T22:35:47Z

Brad Johnson at 23:15, 7 December 2012

2012-12-07T23:15:25Z

Brad Johnson at 23:11, 7 December 2012

2012-12-07T23:11:51Z

Brad Johnson at 00:40, 7 December 2012

2012-12-07T00:40:09Z

Brad Johnson at 22:05, 5 December 2012

2012-12-05T22:05:31Z

Brad Johnson at 22:05, 5 December 2012

2012-12-05T22:05:02Z

Brad Johnson at 22:03, 5 December 2012

2012-12-05T22:03:31Z

Brad Johnson at 21:32, 18 July 2012

2012-07-18T21:32:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:01, 21 May 2014
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	====Unbalanced adapter cables====		====Unbalanced adapter cables====
−	"Unbalanced" adapter cables are usually constructed using "[[coaxial]] cable" which means simply that there is one central signal conductor surrounded by a tubular "shield" that serves as both the shield and [[signal return]]. The connectors must have two conductors to provide connection for the signal conductor and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnects are the "RCA" or "phono" plug and the 1/4" [[T.S.]] phone plug.	+	"Unbalanced" adapter cables are usually constructed using "[[coaxial]] cable" which means simply that there is one central signal conductor surrounded by a tubular "shield" that serves as both the shield and [[signal return]]. The connectors must have two conductors to provide connection for the signal conductor and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnects are the "[[RCA]]" or "''phono''" plug and the 1/4" [[T.S.]] phone plug.

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 ==Related Topics==
 [[Adapter]]
 ==Basics==

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 ==Overview==
 The term "<nowiki>Adapter cable</nowiki>" 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==

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 To make an unbalanced connection using an [[adapter]] or adapter cable in which one end is a [[T.R.S.]] connector; there are multiple configurations of signal/pin connections.
 # In “standard” off-the-shelf adapters or adapter cables made with [[coaxial]] two-conductor cable; the sleeve and ring are typically connected to each other; which results in the “-” signal conductor being held at [[ground]] voltage potential. Because electrical signals can exist as both a voltage and current; even though the voltage of the signal does not “appear” in the “-” conductor; the signal current does use this conductor as a [[signal return]] to the sending device. In this case, the shield of the coaxial cable acts as both a shield and a signal return.
-# In adapter cables that use [[shielded twisted-pair]] cable, the sleeve is NOT connected to the ring;  the cable conductors are connected in the same manner as balanced connection; so the Shield and signal return are not the same conductor and the “-” conductor of the pair acts as the signal return while remaining protected by the shield. This is sometimes referred to as “Quasi-balanced” because the connections are the same as balanced on the sending end and only the receiving end is connected as unbalanced. On the other end of the cable, the unbalanced (two conductor connector) can be connected in one of two manners:
+# In adapter cables that use [[shielded twisted-pair]] cable, the sleeve is NOT connected to the ring;  the cable conductors are connected in the same manner as balanced connection; so the Shield and signal return are not the same conductor and the “-” conductor of the pair acts as the signal return while remaining protected by the shield. This is sometimes referred to as “Quasi-balanced” because of the use of the same type of cable (shielded twisted-pair) and connections are the same as fully balanced on the sending end. On the other end of the cable, the unbalanced (two conductor connector) can be connected in one of two manners:
 (a) With the shield connected at the receiving end.
 *If the sending end is the T.R.S. and the receiving end is the unbalanced two-conductor connector; both the shield and the “-” conductor of the pair are connected to the “shield” connection of the two-conductor connector. The “+” conductor of the pair is connected to the signal conductor of the connector.

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 To make an unbalanced connection using an [[adapter]] or adapter cable in which one end is a [[T.R.S.]] connector; there are multiple configurations of signal/pin connections.
-# In “standard” off-the-shelf adapters or adapter cables made with [[coaxial]] two-conductor cable; the sleeve and ring are typically connected to each other; which results in the “-” signal conductor being held at ground voltage potential. Because electrical signals can exist as both a voltage and current; even though the voltage of the signal does not “appear” in the “-” conductor; the signal current does use this conductor as a [[signal return]] to the sending device. In this case, the shield of the coaxial cable acts as both a shield and a signal return.
+# In “standard” off-the-shelf adapters or adapter cables made with [[coaxial]] two-conductor cable; the sleeve and ring are typically connected to each other; which results in the “-” signal conductor being held at [[ground]] voltage potential. Because electrical signals can exist as both a voltage and current; even though the voltage of the signal does not “appear” in the “-” conductor; the signal current does use this conductor as a [[signal return]] to the sending device. In this case, the shield of the coaxial cable acts as both a shield and a signal return.
-# In adapter cables that use shielded twisted-pair cable, the sleeve is NOT connected to the ring;  the cable conductors are connected in the same manner as balanced connection; so the Shield and signal return are not the same conductor and the “-” conductor of the pair acts as the signal return while remaining protected by the shield. On the other end of the cable, the unbalanced (two conductor connector) can be connected in one of two manners:
+# In adapter cables that use [[shielded twisted-pair]] cable, the sleeve is NOT connected to the ring;  the cable conductors are connected in the same manner as balanced connection; so the Shield and signal return are not the same conductor and the “-” conductor of the pair acts as the signal return while remaining protected by the shield. This is sometimes referred to as “Quasi-balanced” because the connections are the same as balanced on the sending end and only the receiving end is connected as unbalanced. On the other end of the cable, the unbalanced (two conductor connector) can be connected in one of two manners:
 (a) With the shield connected at the receiving end.
 *If the sending end is the T.R.S. and the receiving end is the unbalanced two-conductor connector; both the shield and the “-” conductor of the pair are connected to the “shield” connection of the two-conductor connector. The “+” conductor of the pair is connected to the signal conductor of the connector.

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 ===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" 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."

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:03, 5 December 2012
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	====Unbalanced adapter cables====		====Unbalanced adapter cables====
−	"Unbalanced" adapter cables are usually constructed using "[[coaxial]] cable" which means simply that there is one central signal conductor surrounded by a tubular "shield" that serves as both the shield and signal return. The connectors must have two conductors to provide connection for the signal conductor and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnects are the "RCA" or "phono" plug and the 1/4" [[T.S.]] phone plug.	+	"Unbalanced" adapter cables are usually constructed using "[[coaxial]] cable" which means simply that there is one central signal conductor surrounded by a tubular "shield" that serves as both the shield and [[signal return]]. The connectors must have two conductors to provide connection for the signal conductor and shield. The two most common type of connector used for analog audio interconnects are the "RCA" or "phono" plug and the 1/4" [[T.S.]] phone plug.

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 For information on adapter cables made with XLR connectors; please see [[XLR]].
-To make an unbalanced connection using an [[adapter]] or adapter cables in which one end is a [[T.R.S.]] connector; there are multiple configurations of signal/pin connections.
+To make an unbalanced connection using an [[adapter]] or adapter cable in which one end is a [[T.R.S.]] connector; there are multiple configurations of signal/pin connections.
 # In “standard” off-the-shelf adapters or adapter cables made with [[coaxial]] two-conductor cable; the sleeve and ring are typically connected to each other; which results in the “-” signal conductor being held at ground voltage potential. Because electrical signals can exist as both a voltage and current; even though the voltage of the signal does not “appear” in the “-” conductor; the signal current does use this conductor as a signal “return” to the sending device. In this case, the shield of the coaxial cable acts as both a shield and a signal return.
 # In adapter cables that use shielded twisted-pair cable, the sleeve is NOT connected to the ring;  the cable conductors are connected in the same manner as balanced connection; so the Shield and signal return are not the same conductor and the “-” conductor of the pair acts as the signal return while remaining protected by the shield. On the other end of the cable, the unbalanced (two conductor connector) can be connected in one of two manners: