Guitarists often wonder about the best practices for handling their gear, especially when it comes to leaving pedals plugged in.
This common question can be divided into two key parts: the physical connection of the jack leads and whether it’s safe to keep the power on. Each has distinct implications for the life and performance of your effects pedal.
Let’s look at the details and explore what you need to consider to keep your pedals in top condition. Can you leave your guitar pedals plugged in?
Table of Contents
Leaving Jack Leads Plugged in
Leaving the jack leads plugged into your pedals can be convenient, allowing you to maintain your setup and be ready to play at any moment. The good news is that it’s safe. In fact, almost anyone with a pedalboard does this all the time.
But, there are some considerations you should understand and know about first.
Battery Drain
If you leave the input jack connected to any pedals powered by batteries, this can activate the pedal’s circuit, draining the battery even when you’re not using it.
Over time, this results in you spending a lot of money on batteries. There’s also a risk of battery leakage, which will likely damage the internal components of your pedal if unnoticed.
To avoid this, always unplug the jack leads from any battery-powered pedals when you’re not using them.
Physical Wear
In theory, if you continuously leave your jack leads connected to your pedals, mechanical stress, oxidation, and dirt accumulation can cause wear and tear on the jacks.
Over time, this might lead to loose connections and degraded signal quality. To prevent these issues and maintain the longevity of your gear, regularly unplug and properly store your cables. That said, I’ve always left my pedals plugged in on my pedalboard and never had any problems.
Leaving the Power on
Leaving the power supply on for your pedals is another issue. My advice is don’t do it! Not for long periods, anyway. While it might seem harmless, it can have significant effects:
Component Wear
Continuously leaving the power on can lead to quicker wear and tear on your pedals, particularly those analog models. These pedals are sensitive to constant power and can degrade over time if left on unnecessarily.
It’s simple, turn off your power supply when you’re done playing. It’ll help to extend the lifespan of your pedals.
Power Surge Risks
When pedals are left powered on, especially during electrical storms or power outages, there is also a risk of power surges.
Power surges can damage the circuitry of your pedals, leading to costly repairs or replacements. You can use a surge protector to mitigate this risk, but again, the most straightforward way to avoid this is to turn off the power supply.
Best Practices
For Jack Leads:
- Unplug jack leads from battery-operated pedals to prevent battery drain and potential leakage.
- Disconnect cables when not used for a long time to reduce physical wear on jacks and maintain optimal performance.
For Power Supply:
- Always turn off your power supply when you finish playing to prevent unnecessary wear on pedal components and minimize the risk of damage from power surges.
- Consider using a surge protector for additional protection against unexpected electrical issues.
To Sum Up
You’ll be relieved. I’m going to keep this conclusion simple and concise.
- Yes. You can keep your jacks plugged in, but be aware of the possible (but unlikely) scenarios.
- No. Always turn the power off when you’re not using your pedals. It’s safer, and they’ll almost certainly last longer.
