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Maximum length for PC/flash sync cord?

Photography Asked on February 16, 2021

Can someone tell me if there is a maximum recommended length for a PC cord, whether officially or otherwise? I’ve seen some very long ones (30 feet!) and as I have some electrical engineering training I’m very suspicious of these. I know it’s basically a connector for an electronic switch that sees very little power across it, but still, for safety and reliability I would like to know for sure.

I believe PC cords are standardized in ISO 519:1992, but I really don’t want to pay to read it and maybe answer my question…

One Answer

PC sync tends to be rather low-current. The initial electromechanical contacts switched about 200V of trigger voltage without significant sparking. More modern flashes and cameras don't transfer actually significant currents but only flag voltages. There may be reflection doubling the voltage at a long essentially open end (compared to the line impedance) but generally devices tend to be comparatively tolerant of that kind of low-current bounce. I consider it unlikely that you'll cause any problems when the wires are aligned (coaxial or twisted pair) and the length is in a sensible relation to the distance where a flash is still useful (namely not in excess of a few hundred meters).

Correct answer by user95069 on February 16, 2021

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