ANSWERS: 1
  • RCA cables, named after the famed audio company that developed them in the 1940s, are common connectors used for home audio devices, such as turntables, tape decks, amplifiers and DVD players. They are known to some as phono plugs or phono connectors. The connectors, which fit directly into outlets on components, are sealed in plastic and attached to a pair of wires that carry the signal. Like all audio cables, they occasionally fail, especially if they are bent or kinked. You can test them via a simple switch-out, or with a voltmeter.

    Testing RCA cables

    If you notice something amiss with your audio system, the cables are the easiest thing to check, and thankfully the cheapest to replace. Isolate where the problem is in terms of the component or channel in question. RCA connectors are usually used in pairs, one white and one red in most cases, to carry a stereo signal. If you determine which side the problem is from, you know which one to check and which one is working. Remove the cable from the problem side or component and replace it with a cable that is functioning. Don't use a cable not in use or that you haven't already tested, as that one could have a problem as well. If the sound returns and is distortion-free, you found your problem cable. Discard it and replace it with a new one. Replacement is a more efficient option than repair. If you still have the problem, the cable is probably not the issue--you can determine that by trying it on the working channel--so keep looking. A fuse on your amplifier may have blown, especially if you were at high volume or just had a power surge. If you have a voltmeter or multimeter and want to do a more authoritative check, you can get a reading of the signal through the cable. You don't need to do this for a single cable, but if you are testing a lot of cables at once this will save some time. For any audio cable used for home use, there should be almost no drop in signal through the cable. If you see signal loss--less voltage being picked up than you are sending through the cable with the voltmeter--assume the cable is not functional and replace it.

    Source:

    Your Dictionary.com: RCA Connector

    NJIT: The use of multimeter

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy