Everything You Need To Know About Coaxial Cable

A coaxial cable is a type of electrical cable that consists of one inner conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, surrounded by a conducting shield. These cables are mainly used to transmit radio frequency (RF) from one place to another.

The cables’ design helps minimize signal loss during the transmission process.

Coaxial cables have been around for ages and are still relevant in modern world applications.

They also come in different specifications. So, when purchasing a cable, you need to choose one whose specs match your requirements.

Inn this guide, I am going to give you information on all you should know about coaxial cables.

At the end of it, you will be in a perfect position to buy the right coaxial cable in from the best suppliers in China.

What does a coaxial cable look like?

Let’s start with the appearance. Does a coaxial cable look like any other electrical cable?

No, a coaxial cable is quite different in appearance from other electrical cables. It typically consists of a solid core center conductor surrounded by an insulating layer and shielded by a conducting material, such as braided copper or foil.

This shield helps to minimize signal loss during transmission, making coaxial cables ideal for high-frequency applications such as cable TV and internet connections.

Components of a coaxial cable

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To give you a clearer and better perspective, let’s have a look at the different components that make up a coaxial cable.

A typical coaxial cable comprises three major components. These are The core, dielectric insulator, shield, and jacket.

Let’s have a brief overview of what each of these components or layers does.

The core

The core is the innermost layer of the coaxial cable, and it consists of a single solid wire conductor. This core is responsible for carrying electrical signals between two points.

The core is usually made of a single copper wire or copper-coated steel.

The material used on the core allows it to carry signals with minimum loss.

The dielectric insulator

The second layer of a coaxial cable is the dielectric insulator, which surrounds the core and protects it from any damage or signal loss. This insulator is typically made of a flexible plastic material, such as polyethylene.

The shield

The third layer of a coaxial cable is the woven metal shield, which surrounds the dielectric insulator and the core. This layer protects the inner conductors from outside interference and electromagnetic radiation, making coaxial cables ideal for high-frequency applications.

It is usually made of aluminum, copper and other metals.

The jacket

Most coaxial cables have an outer jacket layer that protects the cable from damage and prevents it from exposing to harsh environmental elements. This jacket is typically made of a flexible plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride.

How does a coaxial cable work?

Now that you have a clue of what a coaxial cable is and how it looks like, let’s discuss how it works.

A coaxial cable typically consists of a coaxial core surrounded by several layers. These layers include the inner conductor, dielectric insulator, and outer shield.

The coaxial core transmits electrical signals between two points, while the other layers help to protect it from damage or loss of signal.

The cable is usually connected to devices such as TVs, radios, and internet modems. When these electrical signals pass through the coaxial cable, it minimizes loss of signal or distortion.

It is expected that the signal transmission is likely to face interference from external sources.

It can be weather or other signal generators.

To prevent this, a coaxial cable has a metal shield that acts as a barrier to such external signals.

This makes coaxial cables ideal for high-frequency applications, such as cable TV and internet connections.

The structural features of the cable also allow it to transmit signals for long distances with minimal interference.

How to use coaxial cable

Using a coaxial cable is a pretty simple process. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1.Make sure that your coaxial cable is properly connected to your TV, radio, or other devices. This involves matching the coaxial connectors on each end of the cable with the corresponding coaxial jacks on your device.

2.If you need to run a coaxial cable to a longer distance, consider using coaxial cable extensions. These are typically made of the same materials as coaxial cables, and they can help you extend the reach of your coaxial cable without losing signal quality.

3.When installing a coaxial cable, make sure that you follow all safety precautions to avoid damaging the cable or risking electrical shock. This may include using coaxial cable clamps or other fasteners to secure the cable in place.

4.If you need to connect multiple coaxial cables together, use coaxial couplers or adapters to join them. These connectors can help you easily extend your coaxial network without having to replace all of your existing cables.

5.Once your coaxial cable is installed and connected, you can start using it to transmit signals between your devices and enjoy high-quality video and audio without any signal loss or distortion.

Applications of coaxial cables

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Here are some of the application areas of coaxial cables.

Cable TV

Coaxial cables are commonly used on the cable TVs for the transmission of signals between the cable provider and your TV. The coaxial cables can transmit high-quality video and audio without any signal loss or distortion, making them ideal for this application.

Internet connectivity

Coaxial cables are also commonly used to connect internet modems to routers or other networking equipment. This allows you to enjoy fast and reliable internet connectivity without any signal loss or interference.

Home theater systems

Coaxial cables are also commonly used in home theater systems to connect audio and video components, such as TVs, speakers, and subwoofers. This allows you to enjoy premium-quality audio and video with minimal signal loss or distortion.

Signal boosters

Coaxial cables can also be used with signal boosters to improve their transmission quality. These boosters work by amplifying the coaxial signals, which can help you get better performance from your coaxial cables in challenging environments.

Types of coaxial cables

Coaxial cables are not all the same. Before you buy one, it is vital to know the type so that you can determine whether it will be suitable for your application.

Here are a few types that you should know:

RG coaxial cable

RG stands for Radio Guide. These coaxial cables are commonly used for video and audio applications, including cable TV and internet connectivity.

These cables are identified by their RG numbers which include:

-RG-6: This is a commonly used coaxial cable under the RG class. It is an ideal choice for residential applications.RG-6 has an impedance of 75Ohm and its core size is 1.024mm.

-RG-8: This coaxial cable is commonly used for high-power applications, such as in satellites and broadcast equipment. It is also suitable for use in long-distance transmission applications.

-RG-11: This coaxial cable has more shielding than other RG cables, making it ideal for outdoor or underground uses. It is typically used to connect antennas to TV receivers.

Other coaxial cable types include RG-58, RG-59, and many others. It is important to choose the right coaxial cable based on your specific application needs.

LMR coaxial cable

LMR is usually considered the new generation of coaxial cables. They are designed to deliver better performance and efficiency than the RG cables.

LMR coaxial cables are typically made from very thin coaxial wires, allowing them to deliver high bandwidth and minimal signal loss.

They also have a higher Q-factor than traditional coaxial cables, making them ideal for applications that require high data rates or low levels of distortion.

Some common types of LMR coaxial cables include:

-LMR200: This cable has an impedance of 50 Ohms and its core size is 1.12mm. It is a super flexible coaxial cable with a low PIM.

It is a perfect choice if you want to use a short antenna.

-LMR400: This coaxial cable has an impedance of 50 Ohms and its core size is 2.74mm. It is suitable for long-distance coaxial transmission and can support frequencies up to 6GHz.

It was designed to be an alternative to the RG-8 cables.

-LMR600: With an impedance of 50 Ohm, the cable comes with a core size of 4.47 mm. It is a super flexible cable with a low PIM and is resistant to weather, making it ideal for outdoor use.

If you are looking for coaxial cables that offer superior performance and efficiency, consider investing in some LMR coaxial cables.

Conclusion

i hope this guide has opened your eyes to all you should know about coaxial cables. Whichever type of cable you want to choose, ensure that it is of high quality and capable of meeting the needs of your application.

On top of that, ensure that you buy from the best coaxial suppliers and distributors in China. And this is where ICRFQ comes in. We are a trusted coaxial cable supplier, offering high-quality coaxial cables at competitive prices. So why not check out our products today?

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