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| Cable Design: Connectors - good conductivity with reliability | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The technology behind Abbey Road Cable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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When we did our research on connectors we studied many different types. We rapidly established the simple criteria for ascertaining
what is best for our purpose; we wanted best conductivivity with reliable connection. Below is a summary of some of the science involved: There are three normal modes of contact, radial, point and longitudinel. An example of radial contact is a jack and circular socket, where all contact is made on the circumference of the socket. Expanding 4mm banana plugs also rely on radial contact, the segments of the pin expanding to make a circle of contact. In radial mode, the contact is concentrated in a ring, therefore pressure is maintained between mating surfaces ensuring contact. However as contact is concentrated in this pressure zone, the surface area actually making contact is small, this can limit conductivity and constrain current flow. Point contact is typically found on jack sockets or on test probes. In these cases there is very little contact surface area, but the contact pressure is concentrated to make intense contact. As is often the case, however, any small amount of oxide or impurity on that contact point can cause failure. Because conduction is concentrated in a small area in these connectors, they are very limited in their current capacity. Longitudinal contacts are ones where contact is along the length of the connector pole. This type gives most conduction surface area and is used a lot in higher current applications because of that. The down side is that the pressure between the contacts is spread along the pole, so is not so intense. These connectors therefore need a strong spring or other mechanism to enhance the contact pressure. However, with good pressure on the contact, this is connection can outperform most others. The quality of the spring or locking mechanism is important. If a speaker connector is loose, then the chances are it is effecting the audio. Another consideration is not only the material the connector is made from, but if it has enough body to conduct without impeding current flow. Solid body contacts generally have better conductivity. |
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Sadly, no matter how good the connector, because metals are crystalline, no matter how polished the mating surfaces are, under a microscope perhaps onlu about 3% of the metal makes contact. This is increased by compressing the surfaces together and using softer materials. We overcome this physical limitation by using a special suspension that fills in the inter-crystal spaces and conducts across microscopic distances. Our fluid, called 'Stabilant 22' increases conductivity by to up to 80% make very reliable and good contact. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Connectors seem a very personal choice, but like cable -once you look at it objectively, there are basic principles that need to be adhered to. It is only then that one can consider the effect of plating etc. At Moving Air we prefer whatever gives best conductivity reliably, and all our connectors do just that - professionally. Summary of our connectors: Eichman Bullet plug - gives high compression, longitudinal connection on the earth- excellent! - Pure copper conductors with thin gold flash to protect against oxides -very good! Moving Air 4mm Speaker plug - Features high compression, longitudinal connection - excellent! - Pure copper conductors with thin gold flash to protect against oxides -very good! - Good solid conductor does not limit current flow - great for peaks! Schuter IEC Mains connector - Well sprung, double side compressed, 16 amp connection - reliable - Power rated conductors to UL and European standards - Well respected connector with the professionals [To next page] |
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