Audio plugs can come with as few as 2 conductors up to 6 or more conductors. Typical audio jack schematics showing various switching options How to Read an Audio Jack Schematicīefore we get to the switch function, first we need to understand how to read an audio jack schematic.
Below are some typical schematics that show some of those switching options. These switches are often represented in a schematic for the connector available on the datasheet. Audio jacks are available without switches, with simple switches, or with complex switching systems. What is a Switch?Īt its basic definition relating to electrical connectors, a switch is a device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit. In this post, we are going to look at how to read these schematics, describe the various switch types available, and discuss how they are implemented in audio applications. When looking at a seemingly simple audio jack datasheet, you will often find an array of schematics with a variation of switches and connections. To better understand some of their capabilities, we will dig into the 'guts' of these connectors and see what they have to offer. While simple in their basic functionality, they can be used in complex systems. Audio jacks have been around for decades and have been used in a wide variety of applications.
