rca

RCA is an initialism that can refer to several organizations, technologies, and concepts. The term most commonly denotes the Radio Corporation of America, a major American electronics and communications company active during much of the 20th century. It is also used for RCA Records, RCA connectors used in audio and video equipment, and the problem-solving method known as root cause analysis.

Radio Corporation of America (RCA) was established in 1919 to consolidate U.S. radio interests and became a leading producer of radios, television sets, and other electronics. It played a key role in creating and funding early broadcasting networks, including the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In 1986, RCA was acquired by General Electric, and many of its divisions were reorganized or sold, though the RCA brand persists in certain products and media holdings.

RCA Records is a major American record label that originated as the Victor Talking Machine Company and later became RCA Victor after merging with RCA. The label became part of RCA, then passed through acquisitions, and today operates as a label within Sony Music Entertainment.

RCA connectors, also known as phono connectors, are coaxial plugs and jacks used for analog audio and video signals. They are typically color-coded red and white for stereo audio, and yellow for composite video, and remain common on home audio systems despite competition from digital interfaces.

Root cause analysis (RCA) is a systematic method for identifying the underlying causes of a problem. Used in manufacturing, engineering, and quality management, it emphasizes uncovering root causes rather than treating symptoms, with techniques such as the 5 Whys and fault tree analysis.