Switchcraft vs. Cliff 1/4" Jacks

[DuaneOh]

I am planning on building an attenuator from another forum where they are suggesting using Cliff jacks over Switchcraft mainly because the Cliff is insulated. I have the correct shoulder washers to make the Switchcraft insulated and would prefer to use Switchcraft. My experience has been that the Switchcraft is better for prototyping because if you overheat the Cliff solder lugs the plastic can melt. Also, I have just felt that the Switchcraft jacks are sturdier and have only used Cliff style jacks for the British look.

This got me thinking (over thinking) how their specifications compared. The one spec that stood out was max current:
Switchcraft = 1A  https://www.switchcraft.com/1-4-in-6-35mm-sealed-jacks-and-plugs/
Cliff = 5A  https://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/jacksockets/s4.htm

The Switchcraft 1A rating surprised me. For a Tweed Bassman at 40 watts into a 2 ohm load the current would would be almost 4.5 amps. If the 1A rating was correct then I would guess that replacing the speaker jack on these amps would be a common occurrence.  (?)

I'm wondering what your experience is with Switchcraft vs. Cliff 1/4" Jacks? Thanks for your thoughts.

<Edit> I just looked at a 5F6 schematic and see that they changed from a single 1/4" jack to 4 RCA jacks. Maybe the speaker current was a problem for the 1/4" jack?

[DuaneOh]

I sent an email to Switchcraft and asked about the 1 amp rating and here is what they said:

"Its rated for 1amp switching.  So as the jack is energized and the shunt activated from plug insertion; its rated for 1 amp.  Carry, when the shunt is at rest, either open or closed, will be 6amps. During the making or breaking of the shunt arcing could occur which will deteriorate the plating at the connection.  This over time could increase the resistance to above specifications.  These jacks will stand up to a lot, it is that the specifications have to be specific and met simultaneously.  For instance, the insulation resistance has to be at the minimum even after maximum environmental humidity testing, and across the entire operating temperature range."

Just in case you were wondering.....     

[PRR]

6 Amps at 4 Ohms is 144 Watts. And that would be steady-state; peaks of speech/music run 4 to 10 times higher but not long enough to burn. So they admit it is good enough for almost any speaker.

Against this all the well-known faults. Too easy to kick-out, or bend. When you unplug a male from a speaker, the amp is shorted. Cheap cheap cheep copycats!!!

But hey, I use screwdrivers to pry paint cans, scrape grout, chisel holes in steel cabinets. And I have never even handled a SpeakOn, the "right" tool for stage speakers.

[acheld]

I have never even handled a SpeakOn, the "right" tool for stage speakers.

Well, you should.   As best I can tell they are nearly indestructible.  And they don't get pulled out when the (idiot not paying attention) trips over the cable.  They also inhibited my daughter from perusing my cables for nefarious purposes when she was, long ago, a teenager.

But, probably overkill at home.   They're great!