Barrel plug
The cylindrical low-voltage connector used to power most guitar pedals, usually with an outer diameter of 5.5 millimetres and an inner pin of 2.1 or 2.5 millimetres.
Barrel connectors are cheap, robust and easy to insert, but the two common inner diameters are close enough to be confusing and loose enough to cause intermittent contact. A plug that is slightly too small will still fit and will still work most of the time, then cut out when the pedalboard is moved. Adaptors between sizes exist, and every power supply or pedal that arrives with the wrong size is a reminder to check the specification rather than assume it is standard.
Example: A pedal that cuts out only when the board is tilted is likely to have a barrel plug that is slightly loose in its socket.
See also
Related
- PageCentre-negative polarity
- PagePower supply
- PageDaisy chain
- Page18-volt operation
- PageAnalogue delay
- PageAuto-wah
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley