What are jack plugs?

Versatile connection for audio and camera accessories

Jack plugs are used in a variety of accessories and transmit signals for hi-fi and camera equipment.

They are standard connections in the audio sector and are used particularly frequently in consumer electronics and camera accessories, for example for flashes or self-timer. The underlying technology of the jack plug has a long history: it has been used since 1877, originally in telephone exchanges, and has proven itself in numerous areas of application to this day.

Structure of a jack plug

The English name of the jack plug describes its structure: TRS connector stands for the contact areas tip, ring and sleeve. Depending on the number of rings, it is also referred to as TRRS, TRRRS or just TS. The plug tip is spherical or conical. A notch below the tip ensures that the plug is locked in place and triggers switching contacts. Each ring also carries a signal. They are insulated from each other and from the plug tip and shell. Depending on the number of rings present, a distinction is made between two-pole (one ring, mono plug), three-pole (two rings, stereo plug) and four-pole (three rings, stereo plug with additional function) versions. The sheath only has earth potential. It does not carry a signal.

Three-pin stereo plug or balanced assignment

Left channel or +
Right channel or -
Insulation
GND (common ground or return line)

Four-pin stereo plug with additional function (OMTP)

Left channel
Right channel
Insulation
GND (common ground or return line)
AUX (e.g. microphone)

With a four-pin assignment, instead of OMTP (Open Mobile Terminal Platform), which is mainly used in older devices, there is also CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association). With this pin assignment, GND and AUX are swapped. CTIA is used in audio accessories and newer generation devices as well as by the manufacturer Apple.

Size and material of the audio accessories

In addition to the number of poles, jack plugs differ in terms of their size and coating: the higher the quality of the material, the better the transmission quality. Depending on the requirements and use, nickel alloys, silver or gold are used. In addition, the larger versions generally offer the possibility of transmitting better sound quality.

6,35 mm

The original plug is one of the largest versions with a diameter of 6.35 millimetres. It is known as a headphone plug for stereo systems or mono plugs on instrument cables.

The 6.35 millimetre jack plug has a much larger contact surface than the smaller versions and is characterised by a higher mechanical load capacity. This is why these versions are preferred for professional applications.

Only the 7.13 millimetre so-called NATO plug is even larger. This is used in civilian helicopters or in military aviation.

3,5 mm

The next smallest version, which is common in our everyday lives, measures 3.5 millimetres in diameter. This plug, also known as the "small jack" or "mini jack", is used, for example, as a headphone plug for mobile devices such as smartphones.

2,5 mm

In contrast, the smallest version, the 2.5 millimetre "micro jack", is rarely used in the audio sector. These plugs are used to connect camera accessories such as flashes or self-timers.

Optical jack plug

On notebooks and PC sound cards, jack plugs are also used to transmit digital signals (Toslink format). Special audio cables are used for this purpose, which have both a jack and a Toslink connection.

InLine jack cable and adapter

Particularly long cable runs require particularly good audio cables. With InLine® premium cables, you can bridge distances of up to 30 metres without any audible loss of quality. A great-sounding example is the premium RCA jack cable, for example as a long-distance connection between a PC and a stereo system.

InLine® Audio Cable Premium 2x RCA male / 3.5mm male gold plated 2m

10 Variants available.

InLine® Audio Cable Premium 2x RCA male / 3.5mm male gold plated

This adapter cable allows you to connect e.g. B. a computer to the stereo system.InLine Premium Quality Metal plug with gold-plated contacts 2x RCA plugs 1x 3.5mm stereo jack plug Foil and braided shielding Cable diameter: approx. 6mm ...

InLine® Audio Cable 3.5mm Stereo male / female 10m

6 Variants available.

InLine® Audio Cable 3.5mm M/F, Stereo

InLine® audio cable with 3.5mm Jack connectors for extending the analogue audio signal connection between sources such as MP3-Player, Smartphone, Tablet, Pc/Notebook, HiFi and speaker systems.Jack 3.5mm male to Jack 3.5mm female Jack connectors with ...

InLine® Audio cable 2x RCA male / 3.5mm Stereo male 1m

8 Variants available.

InLine® Audio cable 2x RCA male / 3.5mm Stereo male

Cinch to jack audio cable in standard quality2x cinch plug to 1x 3.5mm stereo jack plug ...

InLine® Audio Headset Adapter Cable 3.5mm male 4 Pin / 2x 3.5mm, white, 1m

5 Variants available.

InLine® Audio Headset adapter cable, 3.5mm M 4-pin to 2x 3.5mm F mic and speaker

This audio headset adapter cable allows the connection of a conventional computer headsets to the 4-pin. audio output, as for example in smartphones, mobile phones and laptops is used. The pin assignment of the adapter works as Apple iPod Touch 2G ab...

InLine® Audio Adapter 3.5mm male / 6.3mm Stereo female

Use 6.3 mm headphones on a 3.5 mm output Continue using existing 6.3 mm plugs: Connect headphones or audio cables to 3.5 mm jack sockets. Reliable stereo transmission: 3-pole wiring passes left and right channels cleanly through. Compact and mobile: ...

Item no.: 99303