RCA cable is a connector used to connect CD player and DVD player to television. A simple RCA Cables has three color-coded plugs extending from one end that connects the three corresponding colored jacks on the back of a Television, projector or other output device. It carries audio and video signals to the output device.
RCA cable is also known as RCA connector, RCA Phono connector, Phono (means phonograph) connector. It is a electrical connector commonly used to carry audio and video signals. RCA stands for Radio Corporation of America, which introduced design in 1930s. Its male plug was called RCA Plug and female jack was called RCA jack.
It is initially manufactured to connect phonograph or turntable to a radio receiver or amplifier. RCA jacks are often used phono inputs to attach phonograph and turntable. They become popular in homes in 1950s and still used nowadays.
Construction Of RCA Cable
Normally, It has a standard plug on each end consists of a central male connector surrounded by a ring. The ring is often segmented to provide spring gripping pressure when connected to socket. The female connector also called socket is mounted on devices and consists of a central hole with a ring of metal around it.
Color Coding in RCA Cable
Plugs on RCA Cables and sockets on consumer equipment are color coded for correct connection. Beyond 7.1 audio jacks, the standard color scheme has degraded white/yellow, red/blue and green yellow respectively.
Stereo audio jacks uses black, gray and white with red color. Here, red represents hot signal and black, gray and white represent ground signal. Most of the modern recording devices with RCA cable uses white and red for all stereo output whether to record or play.
Disadvantages of RCA Cable
There are some disadvantages of using RCA cables that has been listed below.
- A loud buzz produces if the equipment is active while connecting the male and female jack.
- Hot signal and ground signal carry out an unbalance connection.
- For each signal separate plug is required.
- Operator may gets confused while connecting complex signal wires.