Gold-plated cable connector: does that make sense? You have to know that

When buying high-quality audio, TV and smartphone cables, there are often gold-plated cable plugs. In this practical tip, we will tell you whether the feature really makes sense.

Cable connectors in general

• Cable plugs are used to transmit electrical current or optical radiation.
• Gold conducts less well than, for example, silver or copper.
• However, silver corrodes through the air and turns black.
• Many manufacturers only coat their plugs with a very thin layer of gold, which can be scraped off if they are repositioned frequently.

Do golden cable plugs make sense?

• The gold-plated version of the cable is usually more expensive.
• However, it has no influence on the transmission quality, even if this is often used as an argument to advise you on the more expensive variant.
• Nor is it a better leader. Gold, for example, conducts picture and sound quality less well than copper.
• Unlike other metals, however, gold is more durable.

In our next tip we will explain the difference between clinch and jack.