Switch Question

[schweigc]

Hello, I have recently ordered Crack with Speedball and fully expect to get high. I would like to add to the Crack base input and output selectors. I am new to DIY and an absolute electronics virgin (which I expect to change under the influence of Crack).

I potentially want to be able to switch 3 sources to 3 amplifiers (Crack, low impedance amp, and my HT system (no pre-outs)).
I am planning on using 2 3T4P switches so I am able to switch grounds as well. My questions are as follows:

1. Do I need a

 

[Grainger49]

1) Shorting, is also called make before break.  It keeps down loud pops.  I would use these.
2) The voltage across and current through an input selector switch is very low.  Any rating is fine.
3) No.  I don't know why you are asking since no Bottlehead uses resistors in grounding.
4) Use stranded wire to and from the selector switch, the finer the strands the better.  Solid wire will break after you turn over the Crack in the first year.

Buy a good but not extremely expensive switch.  Silver contacts are nice since the tarnish is as conductive as the silver itself.  Gold tarnish isn't.

 

[schweigc]

Thanks Grainger, I truly appreciate your help!

 

[Grainger49]

Absolutely ! ! !  Read post #2, Reply #1.  If the contacts do not arc (due to current) or slide giving mechanical wear, silver contacts last, as I said above, forever.

You can't see gold tarnish, you can't see aluminum oxide either.  But both are there and oxide and tarnish are not as conductive as the base metals themselves.

If you look through some catalogs you will find that more signal level contacts are silver than gold.  I don't remember seeing gold signal level contacts.  I may have never noticed them, but silver is the standard.

In addition, 24 carat gold is extremely soft, it would wear quickly.

 

[Laudanum]

My understanding is that 24 K gold does not tarnish.  But it is soft and can be worn through so the base metal that it is plated to may tarnish.  Also, if the plating wasnt done so that it was pore free, the base metal would be able to oxidize through.  If it's not 24K gold, then the impurities in the gold can tarnish. 
I dont remeber this for sure but I believe that silver is more conductive than gold.  And since silver tarnish is said to be just as conductive as silver itself, it would make sense that silver tarnish retains higher conductivity than gold.  But Im no expert.

 

[Laudanum]

You seem to have answered your own question then.  So buy switches with gold plated contacts.

 

[Doc B]

Guys I am forced to lock this thread. ramicio please read the forum rules.