Hot shot on 80D

[chuinsfo]

Is the center contact point (big one than other 4 small contacts) on the hot shot of my 80D always presents a trigger voltage no matter in Auto or not?

[kvbarkley]

No, because it is a switch contact. All the voltage is in the flash.

[chuinsfo]

Thanks for your quick response.

If it is switch contact, may I ask what the signal sends to the flash, short or open circuit?

If I do not describe correctly, what is it to the flash?

Thanks again.

[Ray-uk]

In reality the centre contact is connected to a thyristor which is an electronic switch as opposed to being a simple mechanical switch, this is why it can be damaged by using an older flashgun that has too high a voltage on its contacts.

It is simpler if you just think of it as a mechanical switch which shorts the centre contact to ground ( the frame of the hot shoe) in order to trigger the flash.