Solder RCA plugs - how it works
In this practical tip, we explain how to solder a cinch plug. The instructions help, for example, when repairing a defective cable or as an adapter for jack or clamp cables.
Solder cinch plug: You need that
To solder a RCA connector, you need the following three things.
- First you need solderable cinch plugs. These are available, for example, from Amazon at an affordable price.
- You will also need soldering irons and accessories, especially solder.
- A two-core cable is also required, for example old cinch or loudspeaker cables.
Solder the RCA plug yourself
Note: The following steps are illustrated in the subsequent picture gallery with photos.
- Strip about four millimeters each of the two cable wires.
- Pull the coupling and the anti-kink sleeve - i.e. the part for screwing and the metal spring or the flexible hard rubber piece - over the cable.
- Slightly cover the stripped tips with solder
- Also attach some solder to the two contacts on the connector. One is the outer skin, the other is exactly in the middle. You can usually identify the intended places by the greasy-looking solder paste.
- For most cables, black is the ground, often called "GND", "Ground" or minus ("-"). Solder this to the external contact.
- Red is the signal (plus) that runs to the cinch tip. So solder it on the inside. Make sure that the cables do not touch each other.
- Finally pull out the grommet and coupling and screw the connector together.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to repair a cable break.
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Strip the wire tips and apply some solder there.
Pull the coupling and then the kink protection sleeve over the cable. Sometimes there are additional plastic guides for the plugs that fix the plug. These can also be attached later.
As shown in the photo, attach solder to the contact points on the connector and solder a cable wire (ideally black) to the outer contacts.
Solder the other cable wire to the contact point in the middle. Make absolutely sure that the contact points are not connected via the cables or solder. With a short circuit the connector is unusable.
When the plug has cooled, pull the grommet and coupling towards the plug, attach the plastic guide and screw the plug. It is best to turn the coupling and not the contact plug.
Female RCA plugs also have the ground on the outside and the signal on the inside. Many can be put on a perforated board before soldering so that they have more grip.
At the other end of the cable you can, for example, solder a cinch or jack plug or even - as in the photo - a microphone capsule.
