Lee
07-16-2002, 06:10 AM
5.17 How do I determine a speaker's polarity? [IDB]If you have a speaker and the terminals are no longer marked, you can do a simple test to determine which terminal is positive (+) and which is negative (-). This test is useful for midrange/midbass/subwoofers, but not for tweeters.
Use a 1.5V battery (AA, C, D) and connect the (+) terminal on the battery to one terminal of the speaker, and connect the (-) terminal to the other terminal of the speaker.
If the cone moves OUT, then the battery is connected "properly," i. e., the (+) terminal of the battery is connected to the (+) terminal of the speaker, and the (-) terminal of the battery is connected to the (-) terminal of the speaker.
If, however, the cone moves IN, the battery has been connected "backwards," i. e., the (+) terminal of the battery is connected to the (-) terminal of the speaker, and the (-) terminal of the battery is connected to the (+) terminal of the speaker.
Use a 1.5V battery (AA, C, D) and connect the (+) terminal on the battery to one terminal of the speaker, and connect the (-) terminal to the other terminal of the speaker.
If the cone moves OUT, then the battery is connected "properly," i. e., the (+) terminal of the battery is connected to the (+) terminal of the speaker, and the (-) terminal of the battery is connected to the (-) terminal of the speaker.
If, however, the cone moves IN, the battery has been connected "backwards," i. e., the (+) terminal of the battery is connected to the (-) terminal of the speaker, and the (-) terminal of the battery is connected to the (+) terminal of the speaker.