A Complete Guide to RCA Connectors

RCA connectors are a type of audiovisual or A/V connector. A/V stands for audio/video. They are sometimes called audio jacks or phono connectors (as in phonograph), as they are typically associated with analogue audio cables. In practice, though, they can be used to transmit several types of signals. These include:

• Analogue audio
• Digital audio
• Component analogue video
• Composite analogue video

The name RCA is an acronym for the Radio Corporation of America, which originally designed the system in the 1930s. The term RCA connector can refer either to the plug on the end of an RCA cable (A/V audio cables) or to the socket you insert these into on a device. In other words, they can be male or female. Most people use the terms jack and plug to help differentiate.

There are various sorts of RCA connectors for sale in the UK, with each type having its own specific uses. They are most often chosen for applications where analogue stereo A/V signals need to be sent separately between devices at the same time.

An RCA cable may therefore have either two or three plugs on it - two for left and right audio, and sometimes a third for video. These are typically colour-coded as follows:

• White for audio left
• Red for audio right
• Yellow for video

RCA Connectors for Speakers

RCA connectors for speaker wire are among the most common types. They are usually arranged to provide a 2-channel or stereo audio input/output signal. This means you will typically find two jacks or plugs next to each other - one for left audio, and one for right audio.

As noted above, the connector (or, less often, the RCA cable itself) for the right audio is normally colour-coded red, while the left audio is usually white. Where colour-coding is not used, the plugs or jacks will almost always be marked with an L and R to indicate which is which.

In some cases, you may be able to swap them around without causing any real problems, provided you do not cross over between one device and another. If L is plugged into R, it needs to be that way at both device ends of the cable. However, to avoid any potential signal or audio quality problems, it is always best to pay attention to the correct L-R orientation.

There are numerous different types of RCA connectors widely available. Most tend to be bought for attaching to coaxial cables, resulting in an RCA cable. Other terms you might use to find these types of products include RCA jacks, phono sockets, A/V plugs, audio jacks, and audio components.

RCA Connectors for Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cable is typically used for digital A/V inputs and outputs and normally requires just a single connection. Since it is a connection meant for a digital audio signal, it only requires one cable, unlike analogue stereo audio. These cables and inputs can support surround sound, such as Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1 signals, and uncompressed PCM stereo audio.

Many devices provide a jack that can be plugged into a male coaxial cable RCA connector. This will normally be a single female RCA connector, often colour-coded in either black or orange. Some of these connectors may not specify coaxial but rather digital out/digital in.

Audio RCA Connectors

Audio RCA connectors are one of the most familiar types. You will often find them on the back of an amplifier, speakers, TVs, and headphones. They come in various physical configurations.

How Do You Crimp an RCA Connector?

To crimp an RCA connector to a suitable cable, you will first need to remove the old connector and strip the cable a short way back from the termination point, to expose some of the inner wires behind the audio cable shielding. You will also need a cable crimping tool kit to reattach a new plug.

The process of performing a cable crimp is straightforward and involves:

• Inserting the new RCA terminal into the crimping tool
• Inserting the cable wires into the terminal
• Squeezing the handles of the crimping tool together to cold weld the terminal onto the wires

However, you will need to be aware of some other important variables depending on the specific type, make and model of your RCA connector. Different configurations and termination methods may involve rings, spades, butt splice terminals, and insulated or non-insulated terminals. Your crimp tool instruction manual will help you recognise and adjust for the specific terminal and type of connection you want to make.

Why Do I Hear a Buzz When I Couple an RCA Connector to a Speaker?

You can recognise a male RCA plug by the protruding pin encircled by a raised ring. The corresponding female RCA jack or socket has a hole in the centre of a corresponding ring.

When inserting a plug into a jack, both rings must be pushed fully together until they are completely touching all the way around (metal to metal contact). Failure to do this will usually result in a buzzing sound, indicating that the connection is not properly grounded.

Best RCA Connectors to Buy

Some of the most popular manufacturers for RCA connectors include Deltron, Keystone, Lumberg, Neutrik, and Switchcraft. We work with all these quality brands to supply our range of RCA plugs and jacks.

We also offer our in-house range of RS PRO A/V connectors, made to the same high standards we request from our partner brands to give you the products of the quality you expect from RS Components.