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Gabe Venberg 2025-03-20 16:42:27 +01:00
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paged-out!/stop-using-trrs/main.typ
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@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
authors: "Gabe Venberg", authors: "Gabe Venberg",
) )
TRRS (Tip Ring Ring Sleeve, or, as you may know it, "headphone jack with microphone support") cables have long been the go to connector between split keyboard halves. TRRS (Tip Ring Ring Sleeve, or, as you may know it, "headphone jack with microphone support") cables have long been the go-to connector between split keyboard halves.
They are cheap, compact, and thanks to their popularity, come in a variety of aesthetic styles. They are cheap, compact, and thanks to their popularity, come in a variety of aesthetic styles.
However, TRRS jacks were only designed for passive electrical components, and expose one large flaw when used actively. However, TRRS jacks were only designed for passive electrical components, and expose a serious flaw when used actively.
When a TRRS cable is (dis)connected, the tip of the plug will slide past every single contact of the jack. When a TRRS cable is (dis)connected, the tip of the plug will slide past every single contact of the jack.
Likewise, the first contact of the jack will slide past every contact of the plug. Likewise, the first contact of the jack will slide past every contact of the plug.
@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ Now, what if we put the 5v at the base, so that it is the first pin disconnected
) )
In this case, we are looking at the active side of the board, connected to USB, and supplying power to the passive side. In this case, we are looking at the active side of the board, connected to USB, and supplying power to the passive side.
Now, when unplugged the 5v contact of the jack will immediately make contact with the Rx line, Now when unplugged, the 5v contact of the jack will immediately make contact with the Rx line,
pulling it up to 5v and damaging the pin on the passive side of the board. pulling it up to 5v and damaging the pin on the passive side of the board.
No matter what order we put the contacts in, No matter what order we put the contacts in,
@ -60,13 +60,13 @@ No other electronics found in your home suffer permanent damage from simply bein
In a moment of carelessness or forgetfulness, damage to hardware could easily happen. In a moment of carelessness or forgetfulness, damage to hardware could easily happen.
So what are the alternatives? So what are the alternatives?
USB-C, while almost as small as TRRS, are more expensive component wise and and USB-C, while almost as small as TRRS, are more expensive component wise and
having the same connector for board-to-board and PC-to-board connections may lead to user error. having the same connector for board-to-board and PC-to-board connections may lead to user error.
There are also a wide variety of JST and Molex connectors, some of which rival TRRS in size, There are also a wide variety of JST and Molex connectors, some of which rival TRRS in size,
but premade cables are not readily available, but premade cables are not readily available,
and many connectors have a tendency to work themselves loose over time. and many connectors have a tendency to work themselves loose over time.
My personal favorite are 4P4C connectors, also known as RJ9, RJ10, or RJ22. My personal favorite are 4P4C connectors, also known as RJ9, RJ10, or RJ22.
While bulky on the PCB, the connection is sturdy, cables are availible, and one can make ones own cables with a cheap crimping tool. While bulky on the PCB, the connection is sturdy, cables are availible, and one can make one's own cables with a cheap crimping tool.
There are of course other connectors, and any with at least 4 conductors will work for a split keyboard. There are of course other connectors, and any with at least 4 conductors will work for a split keyboard.
Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a perfect connector, but there are many alternatives better than TRRS. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a perfect connector, but there are many alternatives better than TRRS.