![]() One final advantage of gold-plated connectors is that gold is not magnetic. That makes a gold-plated connector much more durable against all kinds of damage. ![]() This is mitigated in most cases by using an alloy of gold for the plating, including nickel or other metals to increase its hardness by several magnitudes. This can be a problem with repeated plugging and unplugging, or if the cable connector was to receive direct impact damage. One potential downside to using gold-plated connectors is that gold is not particularly hardy. It retains its high electrical conductivity at high temperatures, too, so it can be relied upon to retain a connection even when the environment is more demanding. Gold is also an excellent thermal conductor, making it a great solution for connector plating in more thermally demanding environments, or when the cable is designed to carry a heavy power charge, since it will help dissipate any excess heat more easily. This makes gold-plated connectors not only great for everyday use in any situation, but particularly useful in environments that have a more corrosive atmosphere, such as when the environment experiences high humidity or is regularly exposed to corrosive salts and acids. That’s where the gold plating really shines, because gold is not only a strong conductor, but it’s also highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation from the environment. When exposed, copper has a tendency to break down, and is not very resistant to corrosion. Instead, gold is plated onto copper or aluminum connectors in a thin layer, providing excellent conductivity for the signal, without making the cable prohibitively expensive.īut copper is a better electrical conductor than gold, so why bother coating it? The main answer is oxidation. It lets the manufacturer create something that has all the properties of gold on the outside, whilst letting them create the item for far less by using a cheaper metal on the inside.Īs one of the most electrically conductive materials we know of, gold would make for a great material to create all sorts of connectors from, if it was stronger and cheaper. It works in the same way as gold-plated jewelry. That might sound a little facetious, but this is one of those situations where the name is quite literal. Gold-plated connectors are connectors which have been gold-plated. Although gold is the more premium material, it’s important to ask the question, is it worth the added cost? Which is ultimately better, gold, silver, or nickel-plated connectors? Let’s dive into each to find out which. Electroplating copper or aluminum with gold, silver, or indeed nickel, lets a connector enjoy its benefits without the higher material costs.Ĭable Matters offers both gold-plated cables and nickel-plated cables. Making the entire connector out of gold or silver would be prohibitively expensive, and these metals lack the structural integrity of other metals which are more affordable and equally effective. It’s just far more expensive.įortunately, there are ways around that. Silver is a better conductor, though, and Gold is better at almost everything, with a higher conductivity and greater corrosion resistance. It’s also a water-resistant material and is relatively affordable. Nickel connectors are good conductors and offer high corrosion resistance. Some cables even need to be able to help dissipate heat generated from high power transmission down the length of the cable, so thermal conductivity is almost as important as electrical conductivity. Connectors also need to maintain structural integrity, so that they still fit their respective port, and maintain a strong and stable connection, even after years of use. There’s friction from the port when they’re plugged in and unplugged, the potential for corrosion from the atmosphere – especially if it’s humid, and there’s physical damage from accidental drops, impacts, or compression to consider, too. However, since budget cables use nickel plating instead, and silver is a viable alternative with some cabling, the question is often raised, does gold plating really make that much of a difference?Ĭable connectors need to be robust, because they can be subject to lots of wear and tear over their lifespans. Gold is an excellent electrical conductor, so it makes a great choice for crafting a reliable and effective connector. ![]() Most cables are made with nickel-plated connectors, and that’s perfectly fine for everyday connections, but more premium cable designs use gold for a variety of reasons. One of the most important ones in the realm of cables, is in the connections at each end. Gold isn’t just a precious metal, it’s a highly versatile material for use in all sorts of manufacturing processes. Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest Email Share.
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