I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack, and my device thinks
that my headset is always plugged in, even when it isn't. I presume
that there is a physical or electrical sensor either in the jack
itself or in the device. A google search revealed nothing. Can
someone explain to me how this works? I need to know whether
replacing the physical jack could fix it.

Timur Tabi wrote:

> I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack

Actually it's 3.5 mm !

Graham

Eeyore wrote:
>
> Timur Tabi wrote:
>
> > I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack
>
> Actually it's 3.5 mm !
>
> Graham


Only where it doesn't matter.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:21:58 -0500 in sci.electronics.basics,
"Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote,
>Eeyore wrote:
>>
>> Timur Tabi wrote:
>>
>> > I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack
>>
>> Actually it's 3.5 mm !
>>
>> Graham
>
>
> Only where it doesn't matter.

Is that why those crappy jacks don't make contact half of the time?

David Harmon wrote:
>
> On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:21:58 -0500 in sci.electronics.basics,
> "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terrell@earthlink.net> wrote,
> >Eeyore wrote:
> >>
> >> Timur Tabi wrote:
> >>
> >> > I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack
> >>
> >> Actually it's 3.5 mm !
> >>
> >> Graham
> >
> >
> > Only where it doesn't matter.
>
> Is that why those crappy jacks don't make contact half of the time?


The original 1/8" plugs and jacks were very good quality, but the
imported crap is just that. I have Switchcraft 1/8" connectors that are
almost 40 years old, and still work like the day I bought them.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

"Timur Tabi" <timur@tabi.org> wrote in message
news:55928862-a590-40a8-b182-ae35eee43538@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack, and my device
thinks
> that my headset is always plugged in, even when it isn't. I
presume
> that there is a physical or electrical sensor either in the
jack
> itself or in the device. A google search revealed nothing.
Can
> someone explain to me how this works? I need to know whether
> replacing the physical jack could fix it.

How does your device indicate the headset is connected ?
is there a LED or a lcd display indicator ?

anyways in the simplest method...
the headset jack is a set of contacts installed in series with
the output lines to some external output like speaker out.
inserting a headset plug into the headset jack simply moves the
contacts apart and the plug intercepts/redirects the output
signal to the headset.

Removing the plug allows the contacts to spring back into their
series connection and the signal is no longer intercepted and
will continue on to the external output.

if one of those contacts breaks or is blocked by some
scata/crud/gunk then the jack will not be able to reset itself
into a series connection and the signal stops at the headset
jack.

that is the mechanical method.
hth
robb

Timur Tabi wrote in message
<55928862-a590-40a8-b182-ae35eee43538@e23g2000prf.googlegroups.com>...
>I have a 1/8th inch headphone/microphone jack, and my device thinks
>that my headset is always plugged in, even when it isn't. I presume
>that there is a physical or electrical sensor either in the jack
>itself or in the device. A google search revealed nothing. Can
>someone explain to me how this works? I need to know whether
>replacing the physical jack could fix it.

How does your device think the earphones are plugged in?
I presume your main speakers aren't working.

The "normal" wiring is for the wires for the speakers to go via the earphone
jack. The earphone plug has terminals which open when the earphone plug is
inserted thus cutting off supply to the speakers.

These contacts may be bent so that when you remove the earphone plug they
stay open.