Do you know Jack? Whats wrong with this picture?

[Ronquest]

Can you find what's wrong in these pictures?  Bonus if you know the background.

[sluckey]

Switch contact is open and bad ground solder joint.

[Ronquest]

Switch contact is open and bad ground solder joint.

Perhaps resulting from, but not the real problem.  good eye on the contacts though.

[sluckey]

Ah, yes! I see it now. Manufacturing defect. Missing insulator that leaves the tip permanently connected to the sleeve.

[mresistor]

Were those manufactured by Switchcraft?

[shooter]

they look like the radioshack knock off's?  the open, normally closed contact was a common "feature" for many a new one.

[Ronquest]

Were those manufactured by Switchcraft?

Yes, switchcraft.

[scstill]

I had a switchcraft problem on an early build that kept the tip grounded thru shunt with the plug in.
Took a while to troubleshoot so I always make sure the jack works properly before installing.

[Beezerboy]

just because it says Switchcraft on it doesn't mean they made it.  might be Chiwichcraft

[acheld]

. . . might be Chiwichcraft

I think that is not a genuine part.  Metal is a little too shiny, and the manufacturing marks are different.

I've become a real cynic about this.  There are fake parts all over the place. The easier it is to shop from a vendor, the more likely the part will not be genuine.   (Yeah, I know that's a bit reductive, but you get my meaning).   

[Ronquest]

. . . might be Chiwichcraft

I think that is not a genuine part.  Metal is a little too shiny, and the manufacturing marks are different.

I've become a real cynic about this.  There are fake parts all over the place. The easier it is to shop from a vendor, the more likely the part will not be genuine.   (Yeah, I know that's a bit reductive, but you get my meaning).

Right from CE Dist. / AES  Also would imagine they change manufacturing practices too..

[WimWalther]

I recently heard the claim that Chinese violation of IP rights (in all forms from fake products to brand damage to industrial espionage) costs the US upwards of $0.5T per year in losses.

Don't tell me we're not at war.

[Beezerboy]

"and the manufacturing marks are different."

note the 2 hash marks on the finger that contacts the tip. none of the real ones have that


https://www.switchcraft.com/1-4-in-6-35mm-open-frame-jacks-and-shielded-jacks/
 

[AlNewman]

I have seen them with open shunt contacts, without the hash marks.  Bought from reputable dealers I think?  Farnell, Mouser, etc.  Not to say the ones I have aren't counterfeit, but no matter the brand name, the 12A line are some of the less expensive jacks out there, I'm sure some costs are cut, likely QC being one of them.         

Usually can just give em a tweak, and they work fine, hard to say for how long but so far no repeat offenders.

[Ronquest]

"and the manufacturing marks are different."

note the 2 hash marks on the finger that contacts the tip. none of the real ones have that


https://www.switchcraft.com/1-4-in-6-35mm-open-frame-jacks-and-shielded-jacks/

None? How many have you looked at to compare?

[Beezerboy]

I looked at the ones in my stash.... about 10. none.  I looked at every example on the factory web site provided above,,,, none

[Ronquest]

I looked at the ones in my stash.... about 10. none.  I looked at every example on the factory web site provided above,,,, none

Like these two?       Maybe I see differently.
https://www.switchcraft.com/1-4-stereo-3-conductor-jack-w-nut-and-washer-double-closed-circuit/14b/
https://www.switchcraft.com/1-4-mono-2-conductor-jack-w-nut-and-washer-205-faston-terminals-375-long-bushing-open-circuit/fal11/

[Beezerboy]

not quite like those.... they got one hash mark, not two like the offending member has

but maybe

another thought is Switchcraft is farming out work. its happened a lot. either that or they are moved overseas with a new owner and the good name only to built cheaper and worse, batteries come to mind, like Odyssey and Optima. and....Fluke meters

[acheld]

Switchcraft has been owned by Heico Inc for the past decade or so.  They do have a factory in Korea -- no idea what is manufactured there . . .

But, like every other brand, they and we have been plagued by cheap fakes which have infected the supply chain all around.