Faulty mono 1/4" Jack Plug to Phono socket Adaptor

[af024]

I ordered 4 of these. Three were as expected and good quality too, but the fourth was a bit troublesome.

Have you spotted the fault?

Has anyone seen this before? You learn every day don't you!

Kind regards,

Andy

[dazzlevision]

Where's the (usually black plastic) insulating bit between tip and ring?

[af024]

Top marks go to dazzlevision for first correct responder!

It makes you wonder how this can possibly happen on a production line.

It makes an effective zero ohm dummy load!

[G6Tanuki]

Fasc-i-Nating!

I guess they were cheap, and that's reflected in the manufacturer leaving final QA checks to the customer.

[I once bought some 90-degree PL259 adapters that went open-circuit when expected to handle more than about 100 Watts; the 90-degree-ness was, it turned out, implemented by a springy bit of brass soldered to the centre-pin one side, which simply pressed against the brass centre-pin on the other side. Push significant RF through it, the springy brass strip got hot and unsoldered itself from its mounting - resulting in internal fireworks]

[turretslug]

I wonder if it's intended to be a shorting plug for test purposes that ended up in the wrong stock bin, gathered for dispatch with the others by uninformed staff?

[Dave Moll]

If it's a shorting plug, why would it have a phono socket on the other end?

[paulsherwin]

I don't understand how this could happen. Presumably the tip and body are two separate parts which are assembled during manufacture. The photo shows the tip and body as a single metal part.

I don't suppose Mr Photoshop has been busy by any chance?

[kalee20]

Originally Posted by paulsherwin

I don't understand how this could happen. Presumably the tip and body are two separate parts which are assembled during manufacture. The photo shows the tip and body as a single metal part.

Is it though - or are they two separate pieces, accurately machined, which just look as though it's one piece when assembled without the tip insulator?

It could be that the manufacturer has spent the money on good-quality bits, abd saved it on final testing, on the basis that it's not safety-critical, and any problems they'll just replace, no quibbles.

[af024]

Interesting about the PL259s. Just goes to show.

I too am mystified as to how this could have happened. Take a look at the good ones in the photo below - they have three distinct parts to them. The defective one is all one machined piece. It's all very strange. Perhaps it's a bit of a game - you know the sort of thing, find the golden cornflake in a packet of cereal and win £100?!

As you say, the defective one will make a good shorting plug, but then I agree, why fit the phono?

[Silicon]

Maybe the factory has a 'short testing apparatus' to check the adaptors for faults.

A dummy adaptor would then be useful for testing the 'short testing apparatus' to make sure it is still working.

The dummy then found its way into the finished product box.

[af024]

Yes maybe that's what it is. Interesting!

[Dave Moll]

It seems a lot of work though to create separate tooling for it rather than just have a standard plug with the terminals wired together (and suitably labelled).

[af024]

It sure does.