Can a stereo earbug plug damage a mono output device?

[ShadowTek]

I was told that I would cause damage if I pluged stereo earbuds into a
mono output devie. Is that true?

On the other hand, I *did* find a page that said damage *would* occur if
you used a mono plug on a stereo output device, due to the shorting of
one of the stereo signals to ground.

Another factor that may have contributed to the warning I was given: the
stereo plug wouldn't put out any sound if pushed all the way in, it
would only work if I withdrew the plug about 3 to 5 millimeters.

 

[Paul]

I was told that I would cause damage if I pluged stereo earbuds into a
mono output devie. Is that true?

On the other hand, I *did* find a page that said damage *would* occur if
you used a mono plug on a stereo output device, due to the shorting of
one of the stereo signals to ground.

Another factor that may have contributed to the warning I was given: the
stereo plug wouldn't put out any sound if pushed all the way in, it
would only work if I withdrew the plug about 3 to 5 millimeters.

Did you examine the contact area of each plug ?

Hold the plugs side by side. How do the contacts overlap ?
Do your evaluation that way.

OK, I found this on Ebay, and it is advertised as a mono plug.
The ground section looks too long. If inserted in a stereo jack,
there is a risk the Right channel will get grounded. I'd
certainly keep this one away from my computer!

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages...48,101109399,101109397&formats=0,0,0&format=0

What a mess... Who thought up this idea ?

Paul

 

[ShadowTek]

Hold the plugs side by side. How do the contacts overlap ?
Do your evaluation that way.

Well, I don't have a suitable mono plug to compare it to, so I guess
I'll just have to go ahead and buy one since I need one anyway.

Up until now, I didn't even realize that there was any danger in
swapping mono/stereo plugs in place of each other, so I just wanted to
be sure.