Third Stranded wire in RCA Interconnect Cable

Rob4226 · 7th June 2011, 06:26 AM

Hi,

I just replaced a damaged RCA connector on the amplifier side of an interconnect cable. When I peeled back the outer insulation I found 2 small insulated wires that I striped and connected to the new radioshack RCA connector. Everything works fine but my question is I also saw an uninsulated silver stranded wire in addition to the 2 insulated signal wires. What is this third wire and does it need to be connected to the new RCA connector? Thanks.

Perry Babin · 7th June 2011, 04:47 PM

Generally, there is one center conductor and one shield (uninsulated) The shield is connected between the RCA connector shields.

In cables where there are two insulated conductors and a shield, the shield is sometimes only connected on the source end and the insulated conductors connect between the shields and the center conductors on each end of the RCA cable.

Rob4226 · 7th June 2011, 07:31 PM

I guess I don't have to worry about it then since it's not on the source end. I'm just wondering, if it was connected where would it attach on the connector? (there are only 2 solder points, for the + and - which are used by the 2 insulated wires)

Perry Babin · 7th June 2011, 11:28 PM

For a cable with 2 insulated conductors, it may not have a connection on the amp end.

ppia600 · 8th June 2011, 12:51 AM

Probably just a static drain, some of the monster cables came with them and it never seemed to matter which end was at the source.

metalshredder · 11th June 2011, 10:34 PM

I asked that question before, someone told me that the center wire could serve as the remote lead. Although I don't think I'd use it for that... I like to keep signal and voltage separate.

metalshredder · 11th June 2011, 10:35 PM

Did you mean, the RCA cable has two shielded wires (L & R) and then an unshielded wire in the center?

7th June 2011, 06:26 AM	#1
Rob4226 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	Third Stranded wire in RCA Interconnect Cable Hi, I just replaced a damaged RCA connector on the amplifier side of an interconnect cable. When I peeled back the outer insulation I found 2 small insulated wires that I striped and connected to the new radioshack RCA connector. Everything works fine but my question is I also saw an uninsulated silver stranded wire in addition to the 2 insulated signal wires. What is this third wire and does it need to be connected to the new RCA connector? Thanks.

7th June 2011, 04:47 PM	#2
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	Generally, there is one center conductor and one shield (uninsulated) The shield is connected between the RCA connector shields. In cables where there are two insulated conductors and a shield, the shield is sometimes only connected on the source end and the insulated conductors connect between the shields and the center conductors on each end of the RCA cable. __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

7th June 2011, 11:28 PM	#4
Perry Babin diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Louisiana	For a cable with 2 insulated conductors, it may not have a connection on the amp end. __________________ Links >> Basic Car Audio Amp Repair --- Basic Car Audio Electronics --- Basic Transistor Testing --- Basic Switching Power Supply Design --- Basic Computer Skills << Links

8th June 2011, 12:51 AM	#5
ppia600 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Louis y ana	Probably just a static drain, some of the monster cables came with them and it never seemed to matter which end was at the source. __________________ Don't worry... you can always turn the gain down!

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7th June 2011, 07:31 PM	#3
Rob4226 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	I guess I don't have to worry about it then since it's not on the source end. I'm just wondering, if it was connected where would it attach on the connector? (there are only 2 solder points, for the + and - which are used by the 2 insulated wires)

11th June 2011, 10:34 PM	#6
metalshredder diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, TX	I asked that question before, someone told me that the center wire could serve as the remote lead. Although I don't think I'd use it for that... I like to keep signal and voltage separate.

11th June 2011, 10:35 PM	#7
metalshredder diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, TX	Did you mean, the RCA cable has two shielded wires (L & R) and then an unshielded wire in the center?

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