Jack Connectors
Jack connectors, sometimes known as phone connectors, are very common in audio equipment. The original 1/4" size was used in early telephone switchboards and has since become a standard connector for musical and other audio equipment.
The jack is available in three sizes: 2.5mm (3/32") , 3.5mm (1/8") and 6.3mm (1/4").
Connectors can be either mono (tip/sleeve) or stereo (tip/ring/sleeve). Some jacks are able to carry more signals for use with camcorders, laptops and other applications.
Stereo jacks can also be used to transmit a single balanced audio signal instead of unbalanced stereo. Possible configurations are:
| Unbalanced Mono | Balanced Mono | Stereo | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tip | Signal | Positive / Hot | Left channel | |||
| Ring | (Not connected) | Negative / Cold | Right channel | |||
| Sleeve | Ground / Return | Ground | Ground |
Note: Do not confuse jacks with registered jack (RJ) connectors, which are used to connect modern telephone equipment.