[SML] XLR mic cables: Pin 1 to case/ground... yes? no?

[tech dept]

In my world pin 1 grounded, on cables unless they are 1/4" adapters, is a firm NO. It will be a sanity breaker.
I learned that early on from comm beltpacks hung on improperly trimmed Super Troupers where the copper sheath on the rods has melted down and shorted to the chassis and fried the comm master pack 10 ohm resistor from ground to case, to the errant hum/buzz where the shell of an extension (with pin 1 to shell tied together) cable touched a Genie, Vermette lift, or outdoor stage superstructure.
In My book the word is "DON'T" (do it) and test all the cables you borrow. Just open them up and clip out the jumper. Also, I drop a little contact cement on the screws to keep them from backing out. The smallest of drops will do and with minimal force break loose for repairs.
It sounds like you bought the Beh------ unit. Well, I did and it is holding up well.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: stagecraft at theatrical.net
> Sent: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:04:29 -0700
> To: stagecraft at theatrical.net
> Subject: [SML] XLR mic cables: Pin 1 to case/ground... yes? no?
> 
> Hokay.... so I picked up a cable tester.... has your basic continuity
> testing of XLR, TRS, RCA, 1/8", etc (but no Speakon) -and also has
> test tone, and ability to show intermittent shorts.  So far, so good.
> I've tested about 20 cables so far, and two show "grounded shield"
> (pin 1 to shield, AND metal case) - and all the others do not. And
> indeed, I can see almost none of them have soldered across the case,
> and the pin one/shield. So the question is: do we not ground pin 1 to
> the case now?  The two cables that indeed are grounded in this fashion
> are pretty old-school - I can tell by the feel of the cable, and by
> the connectors (tiny screws, rather than screw-together connectors).
> The soldering is good inside these old cables, but indeed they jumped
> together Pin 1 and the case. Right or wrong?
> 
> --
> Jon Ares
> www.arescreative.com
> Follow my twits @jon_ares
> 
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