A type of connector developed in 1878 for use in telephone switch boards and still in use today. As such, this connector has a wide variety of names and applications, and an attempt to cover them will be focused here. Some common terms for a TRS connector are: audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-jack, mini-stereo, or headphone jack
TRS stands for "tip ring sleeve", the most common configuration of this connector used today. However, TS (tip - sleeve) was the original format, and TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) has become increasingly popular, especially in 3.5mm applications on cellular phones and MP3 portable music devices.
There are at lest five common sizes of TRS
1/4"
The oldest and most common format. 1/4" TS connectors are often referred to as "instrument cable" and every electric guitar player will insist their connector is the best. Contact diameter is in fact 0.25" (6.3mm).
Military/B-Gauge
Used widely in military communication systems. Contact diameter is 0.206"(5.23mm)
Bantam/TT (tiny telephone)
Used widely in audio recording and studio applications. A very common size found in patch bays. Contact diameter is 0.173"(4.4mm). The practice of using the Bantam plug in audio patch bays often results in the uninitated causing damage to the Bantam jack by attempting to insert a 1/4" plug.
3.5mm/Miniature
Often referred to as 1/8" in America, actual contact diameter is 3.5mm/0.138"
2.5mm/Sub-Miniature
(Far left plug is 2.5mm)
Often referred to as a 3/32" in America, however this is only approximate.
(Most Images and diameters used are sourced from http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/203_63341/Plugs_group.aspx)
[/li
Also see 1/4 Inch Cable
The Wikipedia article on TRS connectors is useful, if somewhat confusing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector
TRS stands for "tip ring sleeve", the most common configuration of this connector used today. However, TS (tip - sleeve) was the original format, and TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) has become increasingly popular, especially in 3.5mm applications on cellular phones and MP3 portable music devices.
There are at lest five common sizes of TRS
1/4"
The oldest and most common format. 1/4" TS connectors are often referred to as "instrument cable" and every electric guitar player will insist their connector is the best. Contact diameter is in fact 0.25" (6.3mm).
Military/B-Gauge
Used widely in military communication systems. Contact diameter is 0.206"(5.23mm)
Bantam/TT (tiny telephone)
Used widely in audio recording and studio applications. A very common size found in patch bays. Contact diameter is 0.173"(4.4mm). The practice of using the Bantam plug in audio patch bays often results in the uninitated causing damage to the Bantam jack by attempting to insert a 1/4" plug.
3.5mm/Miniature
Often referred to as 1/8" in America, actual contact diameter is 3.5mm/0.138"
2.5mm/Sub-Miniature
(Far left plug is 2.5mm)
Often referred to as a 3/32" in America, however this is only approximate.
(Most Images and diameters used are sourced from http://www.neutrik.com/us/en/audio/203_63341/Plugs_group.aspx)
[/li
Also see 1/4 Inch Cable
The Wikipedia article on TRS connectors is useful, if somewhat confusing.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS_connector
