RSS

.

     How to test a guitar amp cable plug


       Summary: Test your guitar amp cable for shorts and opens.

  

A guitar amp cable has two plug ends that look similar to a headset plug.

             2 plugs Fig. 1

To test a guitar cable, you should first  set your multimeter to the lowest "Ohm" (Ω) setting. You will be checking strictly for continuity.

                  

             

 

Now grab the two ends, if you look closely you will see the metal portion of the plug is divided into 2 sections by a piece of plastic or similar insulator. If you check for resistance from one section to the other, you should get no continuity (Fig. 2), as these two pieces are separate.

If you are getting continuity, then the plug is internally shorted and must be replaced.

                                                         plug 1 Fig.2

 

To check to see if your cable has any breaks, put one multimeter lead on the tip of one plug end, and the other lead on the opposite plug tip end.(Fig.3) You should get continuity between the two tips. If you do not, then your wires are broken somewhere and should be fixed.

                                                          Plug tips Fig. 3

 

Also, you should check the other piece of plug to the opposite end, same piece. Again you should get continuity.

                                                           plug inners Fig. 4

If you find a short or open in the wiring, then it can be repaired. If the fault lies in the plug itself, then your better off just buying another cable. Note: Some plugs can be unscrewed from the body, and can be internally soldered for repair.   

                                                        See more how-to articles

 

 

   


                                       Home | How to videos | How to articles | Safety | About | Links | Help | Link exchange | Privacy Policy 

                                                   Copyright  2007- 2009 Ohmcheck.com, Trevor Bannon, Ohmer@ohmcheck.com. All Rights Reserved.

                                                                                                     Valid CSS!