How to Solder RCA Plugs

RCA plugs are electrical connectors used to carry video and audio signals. You will typically see these connectors attached at the end of cables connected to a DVD player or TV.

Step 1: Preparing the Wire

To solder RCA plugs, you need to strip off the insulation of the end of the 2-conductor insulated wire. Strip off at least 3/8 to 1/2 inch of the insulation to expose the bare wire. Use the wire cutter or stripper for this job to prevent any expose wire from being cut or damage. Before you do any soldering, you need to prepare the surface you need to solder. In this case, twist the exposed wire until it crimps together to prevent any fraying.

Step 2: Separate the Jacket from the RCA

The RCA plug is divided into 2 parts—the protector or jacket and the actual RCA. Generally, these 2 parts are screwed together. To prepare the RCA plug for soldering, just unscrew the RCA protector or the jacket from the RCA itself. Slide the RCA protector onto the wire you have stripped. Make sure that there are no wires being tangled while you are sliding in the jacket.

Step 3: Preparing to Solder

Hold the pin, the other part of the RCA plug which holds the male connector, using a pliers or clamp. Make sure that the RCA is held tightly before you can start soldering.

Step 4: Tin the Wires

In soldering, it is important to tin the wire before you do the actual soldering. Tinning the wire is basically putting solder at the tip of the wire to initially melt the tips and to keep the wires from fraying during the actual soldering. Put the tip of the heated soldering iron at the bottom of the exposed wire to gently heat it and gently rub the solder across the wire. You can now start tinning the wires. When soldering, lightly touch the rosin-core solder at the tip of the hot soldering iron to put only a small amount. Once the solder starts to bubble at the tip of the soldering iron then you are ready to begin.

Step 5: Connecting the Wires to the RCA

Take the red colored section of the wire and insert coming up through the hole of the shorter pin. Once the wire has been inserted, move it around so that the wire is sitting on the longer pin. Repeat the same with the black wire but this time insert the wire on the hole of the longer pin where the first wire is resting on. Move the black wire around until it sits together with the red wire. You should end up with the red wire going up while the black wire going down from the RCA pin.

Step 6: Soldering the Wires

First, solder the red wire until it sticks onto the pin. Do not put too much solder otherwise the jacket may not fit once you slide it in. The trick is to place the soldering iron at the back of the wires and gently tap or rub the solder across the wire to get the right amount of solder and heat without burning the insulation of the wire.

Step 7: Finishing the RCA Plugs

After soldering the wires onto the RCA, cut off any excess exposed wire to tidy the joints. Crimp the wires together using a pliers then slide the jacket or RCA protector back onto the plug and screw it in.