The RCA plug
The RCA plug is mainly used for hi-fi systems and DJ equipment where a connection between the sound system and the amplifier or loudspeaker must be established. This requires a RCA cable with RCA plugs at both ends. They are the most common type of audio cable on the market and are now also used for other electronic devices. For each transmission channel a single-core cable is required, which has a so-called shielding braid.
RCA cables are usually stereo cables - this means that two individual single-core cables can be joined together to form a two-core cable. This is called a stem-type cable, where the coaxial cable is also used.
RCA plugs have been in use in the USA for longer than in this country. Until about 50 years ago, banana plugs were mainly produced in Europe, but today they have been largely replaced by the RCA plug. Here, the left audio channel is marked with white paint and a white plug, while the right channel is shown in red.