How to Connect a Speaker Wire to a 3.5 Millimeter Plug
Headphone cables are often too short for their intended purpose. On occasion, it is necessary to extend this cable. Do-it-yourselfers who find the need to repair or make a new headphone cable need to solder speaker wire to the proper connector. Fortunately, all the component parts needed are relatively easy to solder and finish, using the right tools.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Two-conductor 22-gauge speaker wire
- Soldering iron
- Lead-free solder
- 3.5 millimeter plug
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Wire strippers
- Shrink tubing
- Heat gun
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut the speaker wire to the desired length, using the wire cutters.
-
2
Strip 2 inches of insulation from the headphone plug end of the cable, using the wire strippers.
-
-
3
Separate the black and white speaker wires by hand. Strip 1 inch of insulation from each of these wires.
-
4
Assign which post on the 3.5 millimeter plug will be the left and which will be the right terminal. Twist the bare wires tightly by hand to create a tight spiral.
-
5
Push the bare wires through the small holes on the soldering posts on the back of the 3.5 millimeter plug. Fold these wires back on themselves, forming a hook.
-
6
Place the lead-free solder up against the folded wires. Place the tip of the heated soldering iron against the solder. Allow a small bead to flow over the wires and the soldering post on the 3.5 millimeter plug.
-
7
Fold the tabs over the lower section of the plug onto the insulation of the speaker wire using the needle-nose pliers, providing strain relief.
-
8
Slide a piece of shrink tube over the other end of the speaker wire. Push it up against the base of the 3.5 millimeter plug. Turn the heat gun to its low setting. Move the gun 6 to 10 inches over the surface of the shrink tube until it forms over the soldered points on the plug.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit headphones image by fderib from Fotolia.com
