
j_garcia
Audioholic Jedi

I believe the question was adequately answered.
When 2 different metals make contact with each other, a voltage is established between the 2 metals. That's how it works, and that is the basis for thermocouples. The voltage b/w the 2 metals is temperature-dependent, thus if you calibrate the thermocouple voltage readings against known temps, you get a useful measuring device.I would agree if were were actually talking about connecting a steel contact to an aluminum one, or copper to aluminum outdoors, or using bare copper alone. But, sorry, that's not the case. No steel or aluminum mentioned, and as far as I can tell, we aren't outdoors. We have 24K gold, high point contact pressure screws, and then copper.
You are correct given the situations you cite, they just don't apply here. I would also point out that the electrolyte between the steel nails and aluminum siding (or any other outdoor dissimilar menials) is water.
Your thousands of connections pale by comparison to phone companies making billions, relatively low voltage, bare copper, non-plated, non-treated. The difference is, they are high contact point pressure, and not exposed to moisture, not typically outdoors.
The discussion was about trying to seal gold plated banana plugs against corrosion, I believe indoors, which is simply a non-issue.
I would agree if were were actually talking about connecting a steel contact to an aluminum one, or copper to aluminum outdoors, or using bare copper alone. But, sorry, that's not the case. No steel or aluminum mentioned, and as far as I can tell, we aren't outdoors. We have 24K gold, high point contact pressure screws, and then copper.
You are correct given the situations you cite, they just don't apply here. I would also point out that the electrolyte between the steel nails and aluminum siding (or any other outdoor dissimilar menials) is water.
The fact that you used punch block connections just bolsters my contention.Your thousands of connections pale by comparison to phone companies making billions, relatively low voltage, bare copper, non-plated, non-treated. The difference is, they are high contact point pressure, and not exposed to moisture, not typically outdoors.
Perhaps you should read my post more carefully. In this thread we are talking about the O.P.'s banana plugs specifically. The specific banana plugs we are discussing are 24K gold plated. I'm not assuming anything there, that's in the manufacturer's data. They will be inserted into a socket that will be plated with one of two materials, gold or nickel. Again, no assumptions, that's what they are. There are actually very few plating materials used for audio connectors, specifically four: gold, silver, nickel and tin. Tin and silver are never used in banana jacks. And frankly, you won't find much silver in an audio connector (guess why!). Yeah, I know, somebody's going to find the rare exception where there's a silver plated banana jack. Whatever.I think you're assuming again.
The speaker connections on an AVR (or any connections for that matter) could be many different metals.
Some are gold plated, some are not. The internal pins on an RCA connector may not be gold plated.
While the banana plugs are gold plated, you're making assumptions about the metal into which the banana plug is inserted.
Ah. Something we agree on.The name of the game is combating oxidation. Whether it be my chemical means or mechanical.
um....rain?You'll have to explain, how does water contact fasteners on installed aluminum siding?
You are taking my comment out of context. The quote was, "Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte and a DC voltage is applied creating ion migration." Do you take issue with that statement?Or to use your words, " immersed in an electrolyte and a DC voltage is applied"
Hmmm . I'm not sure how to take that. You are angry with me for using punch blocks? Have you ever visited a radio station, TV station, or recording studio? I'm sorry if my use of punch blocks made you angry. But not so sorry as to avoid them in the future. I was installing an SAS Audio Routing System that handled both analog and AES/EBU signals at a broadcast facility. The manufacturer provided all inputs and outputs on a series of Krone blocks (you may google at will), which I'm darn glad of, because if I had to terminate all of that with gold plated XLR connectors I'd have had to lease more space in the building. Punch blocks are nice, high density, high reliability way of life in pro audio. And, they aren't gold plated...ever. And they achieve their reliability through (apologies in advance if I make you mad with this) high contact pressure along with a somewhat temporary insulation seal. Thats how they work. And, my few thousand connections don't hold a candle to what phone companies world wide have done, though they don't use Krone blocks, usually 66 blocks or 110. If you're having issues with high quality audio on a punch block, well, I hate to break it...in broadcast and pro audio, it's done all the time because it's cheap, fast and reliable. And, hold onto your seat...now we running high quality audio on Cat5, UTP...that's Unshielded Twisted Pair...and using a combination of 110 blocks and RJ45s. Works fine, highly reliable.The fact that you used punch block connections just bolsters my contention.
We all know what we know, we know some of what we don't know, but there's a lot of what we don't know that we don't know.The name of the game is combating oxidation. Whether it be my chemical means or mechanical.
When you used the punch block example within this context. I knew then, you hadn't a clue.
......I always hate it when guys cite there years of experience, it seems so prideful......
That's a relief.Exactly!!
We seem to be agreeing more and more.
I have no need to impress anyone, especially on a forum. I thought it might be nice if someone found benefit from what little knowledge I have to share, since I share it in the spirit of promoting truth in audio. If that's not the case, and my dissertations are not appreciated, I'll refrain. Probably will anyway, since I really don 't have time for this kind of thing. Talk about good intentions missing the mark! (probably should insert the train wreck photo here...again)<insert train="" wreck="" photo="" here...again="">I took one look at your post #12....or dissertation.
Seemed you wanted to impress all involved.
I guess if that actually answered the OP, I wouldn't have responded. Post #13, IMHO, offered no practical information, other that there might be a potential problem, and an easier but unspecified solution might exist.While on the other hand I simply tried to help the OP.
Look at my post #13
I answered the OP's question in two short sentences.
I learn something every day. Thanks for clarifying. Perhaps we should now leave aluminum siding out of an audio connector discussion.Also for the record.
Water doesn't contact the fasteners on aluminum siding or any siding for that matter.
The fasteners are covered with the subsequent row or lap above.
I would agree an increase in connector resistance wouldn't necessarily always be considered a failure. But if it's too small to be considered a failure, why are we even talking about it at all? On the other hand, if an increase in resistance causes some audible effect, then perhaps we might agree that a connector with that property is failing at the intended design goal?Never said an oxidized connection will fail.
What will happen is that the connection's resistance will necessarily increase.
Wouldn't that be nice.</insert>Are we done yet?
It would be nice, and it starts with either of you leaving it as is...<insert train="" wreck="" photo="" here...again="">Wouldn't that be nice.</insert>
I think Rick should drive to his house and kick his @$$ but hey ... whatever.It would be nice, and it starts with either of you leaving it as is...