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 Forum index » Instruments and Equipment » Modular Synthesis
Connectors for dual voltage power supply
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Speedy RB



Joined: Apr 02, 2013
Posts: 12
Location: SoCal, USA

PostPosted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:30 am    Post subject: Connectors for dual voltage power supply Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Hey All

I've been reading these forums for a while, and love the wealth of information and the general good vibes of the place!

I tried to find this out, but couldn't find it (so much to look at!)

What kind of connectors do you recommend for units that require a dual voltage (aka split voltage, bipolar power, split rail, V+ V- Gnd) power source? In this case I'm talking about the Thomas Henry 555 VCO which I plan on building soon.

In the past I've used stereo mini phono connectors (1/8" aka 3.5mm aka the kind found on small headphones), but have always wondered if this is a good idea since the contacts on the male end are exposed (I have a three year old to worry about), even though the amps will be under 2 or so.

But I'm also considering salvaging molex hard drive power connectors from an old PC - but those are a pain to unplug.

Suggestions? Thanks!
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Danno Gee Ray



Joined: Sep 25, 2005
Posts: 1351
Location: Telford, PA USA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

most people/systems use the 1/8' / 3.5mm connectors for cv patch and audio cable connections on the front panel. typically, MTA .156 or MTA .100 4 pin headers and connectors are used. Alternatively, 10 pin or 16 pin IDC Ribbon calbes can be used fro power as well, (Doepfer style).
Usae the TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleve) headphone style connectors for patch cables and pick either the MTA or Ribbon cale connections as a convention and stay with that foemat. Others here can no doubt give wise advice on the merits of each. I personnaly use the MTA style and have good luck with it.

Dan
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Speedy RB



Joined: Apr 02, 2013
Posts: 12
Location: SoCal, USA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Danno Gee Ray wrote:
most people/systems use the 1/8' / 3.5mm connectors for cv patch and audio cable connections on the front panel.


Thanks - I was debating between 1/4", banana, and 1/8" so this helps me decide!

Danno Gee Ray wrote:
typically, MTA .156 or MTA .100 4 pin headers and connectors are used. Alternatively, 10 pin or 16 pin IDC Ribbon calbes can be used fro power as well, (Doepfer style).
Dan


I'm wondering about connectors that I can mount on the panel. I'm hoping for a panel-mountable connector that uses a circular hole (since it's easiest to make a circular hole in my enclosures). I'll be using an external PSU to power a few units.

If I was going to use a molex-type connector, I was thinking of having the connector at the end of apx 2" of wire coming out of the unit (using a grommet on the hole). Kind of like an animal's tail! This would not be my first choice, though...

Thanks
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PHOBoS



Joined: Jan 14, 2010
Posts: 5591
Location: Moon Base
Audio files: 705

PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Speedy RB wrote:
I'm wondering about connectors that I can mount on the panel. I'm hoping for a panel-mountable connector that uses a circular hole (since it's easiest to make a circular hole in my enclosures). I'll be using an external PSU to power a few units.

I use XLR connectors for that myself,. so maybe that's an option ?
Í wouldn't use phono jacks for power connectors since they can create
a short when you plug/unplug them. It could works as long as you're careful though.

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Speedy RB



Joined: Apr 02, 2013
Posts: 12
Location: SoCal, USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

PHOBoS wrote:
I use XLR connectors for that myself,. so maybe that's an option ?

I considered that, but the jacks and cables tend to be a bit pricey. I wonder if there is a slightly cheaper option.

PHOBoS wrote:
Í wouldn't use phono jacks for power connectors since they can create a short when you plug/unplug them. It could works as long as you're careful though.

That was one of my concerns - can a momentary short cause any damage, either to the unit being powered, or to the PSU?

Thanks
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Danno Gee Ray



Joined: Sep 25, 2005
Posts: 1351
Location: Telford, PA USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

My bad, I thought you were referring to connectors for the modules within the case.

I would stay away fron DIN 5 (MIDI) connectors, too easy to plug in the wrong thing. Try DIN 3. Sme for XLR in my opinnion YMMV.

Also, the 1/8" vs. 1/4" vs. Banana is a topic that can cover a lot of territory, and has eaten up many threads in its discussion. It all depends on what format you want to emulate / connect to. Search the forums for details.
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Speedy RB



Joined: Apr 02, 2013
Posts: 12
Location: SoCal, USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Danno Gee Ray wrote:
My bad, I thought you were referring to connectors for the modules within the case.

I would stay away fron DIN 5 (MIDI) connectors, too easy to plug in the wrong thing. Try DIN 3. Sme for XLR in my opinnion YMMV.

Also, the 1/8" vs. 1/4" vs. Banana is a topic that can cover a lot of territory, and has eaten up many threads in its discussion. It all depends on what format you want to emulate / connect to. Search the forums for details.


Thanks!
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PHOBoS



Joined: Jan 14, 2010
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Speedy RB wrote:
I considered that, but the jacks and cables tend to be a bit pricey. I wonder if there is a slightly cheaper option.

I think that depends a bit on the quality and what's available for you. I can get sockets/connectors for €1,15 each. And I make the cables myself,
which you probaby have to do anyway because most, if not all, cables you can get are designed for low power audiosignals.

Quote:
That was one of my concerns - can a momentary short cause any damage, either to the unit being powered, or to the PSU?

your PSU should be able handle a short allthough it could blow a fuse (if it has any) and your connectors probably won't really be happy with it.
As for your powered unit, well,. different things can happen depending on how you wire it up and a bit on what kind of sockets you use.
Say you use a +/-15V supply then it might happen that when you plug it in you will get 30V on just your positive supply line, or you might get
-15V on what should be your +15V powerline and vica versa. Of course this won't happen if you make sure you only plug/unplug it when the PSU is off.

_________________
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Speedy RB



Joined: Apr 02, 2013
Posts: 12
Location: SoCal, USA

PostPosted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

PHOBoS wrote:
Speedy RB wrote:
I considered that, but the jacks and cables tend to be a bit pricey. I wonder if there is a slightly cheaper option.

I think that depends a bit on the quality and what's available for you. I can get sockets/connectors for €1,15 each. And I make the cables myself,
which you probaby have to do anyway because most, if not all, cables you can get are designed for low power audiosignals.

Quote:
That was one of my concerns - can a momentary short cause any damage, either to the unit being powered, or to the PSU?

your PSU should be able handle a short allthough it could blow a fuse (if it has any) and your connectors probably won't really be happy with it.
As for your powered unit, well,. different things can happen depending on how you wire it up and a bit on what kind of sockets you use.
Say you use a +/-15V supply then it might happen that when you plug it in you will get 30V on just your positive supply line, or you might get
-15V on what should be your +15V powerline and vica versa. Of course this won't happen if you make sure you only plug/unplug it when the PSU is off.


Thanks for the info!
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LED-man



Joined: Feb 22, 2013
Posts: 40
Location: Germany

PostPosted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

i dont prefer usage of XLR,

many guys have this: bugbrand and other companys use 4 pole Microphon connectors,

like this:
http://such002.reichelt.de/?SID=10UZ3mNn8AAAIAABGeEZ48e3366fc4d146cda7c64f00d7c536594;ACTION=446
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