History and Evolution of Binding Posts
– Binding posts evolved from general purpose fasteners to electrical binding posts.
– Examples of 19th century binding posts include telegraph key and blasting machine devices.
Safety Features and Improvements
– Isolated binding posts are not sufficiently isolated to protect users from metal parts carrying voltage.
– Safety banana jacks are now commonly used instead of traditional binding posts.
– Safety banana jacks can only be used with traditional and safety banana plugs.
– Holes in binding posts are now aligned to prevent inadvertent shorts.
– Multiple lined-up binding posts impaired safety as wires or probes might short together.
Standard Spacing of Binding Posts
– The most common distance between the centers of double banana plugs is 34 inch (19mm).
– This spacing originated on General Radio test equipment in the 1920s.
– However, 34 inch is not the only spacing used.
Related Connectors and Devices
– Banana connector.
– Fahnestock clip, an earlier device largely supplanted by binding posts.
References
– 1948 Catalog L (PDF) by General Radio.
– Littlejohn, H.C. (June 1952). Standardized Terminals and Connectors – Part 1 (PDF) by General Radio.
– Experimenter – Issue Vol. XXVII, No. 1.
– Littlejohn, H.C. (July 1952). Standardized Terminals and Connectors – Part 2 (PDF) by General Radio.
– Experimenter – Issue Vol. XXVII, No. 2. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binding_posts
A binding post is a connector commonly used on electronic test equipment to terminate (attach) a single wire or test lead. They are also found on loudspeakers and audio amplifiers as well as other electrical equipment.
