RG59 vs RG6: What’s The Difference Between Them?

Image source ReadytoGo Cables

Coaxial cables have a wide range of applications, especially when it comes to communication. They are mainly used for coaxial cable for video transmission, antenna systems and coaxial cable networks. When it comes to buying coaxial cables, you are likely to encounter two options. These are RG59 and RG6 coaxial cables, which are often confused with each other.

At first glance, these two types of coaxial cable look nearly identical.

However, there is a key difference between them that can help you decide which one is right for your needs.

Other than knowing the type, we will also guide you on how to choose the best coaxial cable supplier in China.

What is a Coaxial cable?

A coaxial cable is a type of wiring that uses an inner conductor insulated by a dielectric material to protect the signal from external interference.

The outer conductor is then shielded with another layer of insulation or metal shielding around it and this forms the coaxial cable.

These cables are used for long-distance, high-frequency applications such as television and radio transmission.

What does RG mean?

RG is an acronym that stands for Radio Guide and is used to categorize coaxial cables.

It was developed by the military in order to distinguish individual coaxial cables from each other.

The numbers next to the RG give various specifications of the cables.

It is not just about the thickness or the size of the cable.

Also, the numbers are assigned randomly.

While numerous coaxial cables have been developed over years, the two that tend to stand out are RG59 and RG6 coaxial cables.

Overview of RG59

RG59 is a coaxial cable that has been around for many years. It was mainly used for connecting televisions.

Because of its age, most older homes tend to have this type of cable.

RG59 coaxial cable has a 20AWG copper wire. Comparatively, this size is smaller than the one in RG6.

It also means that RG59 may not offer the best signal quality due to its limited conductor size.

RG59 features braided insulation, a perfect solution against megahertz interference that have long waveforms.

In general, RG59 coaxial cable is suitable for low-frequency applications.

Overview RG6

RG6 coaxial cable offers better signal quality than RG59.

It does this by having a larger conductor size, which is either 18AWG or 19AWG copper wire.

RG6 coaxial cable also has two layers of shielding compared to the single layer of shielding in RG59 coaxial cables.

It comprises shield foil shields as well as aluminum shields. These two features give it better insulation performance.

The first layer of insulation helps protect the coaxial cable from environmental elements, such as moisture or UV rays.

The second layer of shielding is designed to eliminate any interference that may occur due to other signals running on the same coaxial line.

Even though cables tend to be long, they have low attenuation. This simply means that RG6 coaxial cables are suitable for long-distance, high-frequency applications such as HDTV or radio broadcasting.

In general, RG6 coaxial cable is suitable for high-frequency applications.

Features of RG59

Here are the key features of the RG59 coaxial cable that you should know.

1. Has 95% copper shields that block the RFI inclusion.
2. It has a coaxial cable 20 AWG center conductor.
3. It has a single layer of shielding made up of aluminum and braid shields.
4. Its insulation is made up of foam polyethylene that offers flexibility and protection against external elements
5. Suitable for frequency below 50MHz
6. Provide a lower attenuation

Features of RG6

The most outstanding features of this cable include:

1. Ideal for high-frequency applications above 50Mhz
2. It has double shielding with a coaxial cable 18 AWG center conductor.
3. Has a thick 18AWG copper conductor
4. Provides better bandwidth over a long distance of transmission
5. Minimum signal loss reported
6. Not suitable for low-frequency applications

Comparison of RG59 and RG6 Coaxial cables

Now that you know the basics and details of these two coaxial cables, let’s compare the two and you will choose the perfect one.

Image source Sewell direct

RG59 vs RG6: Physical difference

How can I tell the difference between these two coaxial cables by their appearance? Well, the most obvious difference between RG59 coaxial cable and RG6 coaxial cable is their size.

RG6 coaxial cable is thicker than its predecessor, which means it has a larger conductor size.

It also has an additional layer of shielding for added protection against environmental elements.

You can also check the cross-section area of the two coaxial cables to determine a clear difference.

If you look carefully, you can see that the cross-section area of RG6 coaxial cable is double than what is found in RG59 coaxial cable.

RG59 vs RG6: Performance difference

When it comes to signal quality, it’s no contest between these two coaxial cables.

RG6 coaxial cable is the clear winner as it provides better signal quality than RG59 coaxial cables due to its thicker conductor size and a double layer of shielding.

This means that when it comes to signal loss, RG6 coaxial cable is better at providing less attenuation over a long distance of transmission.

RG59 vs RG6: Frequency capacity

RG59 and RG6 have different frequency capacities.

RG59 coaxial cable is suitable for low-frequency applications like analog TV transmission and data transmissions below 50MHz.

On the other hand, RG6 coaxial cable is ideal for high-frequency applications such as HDTV or radio broadcasting.

RG59 vs RG6: Conductor size

The size of conductors in the two coaxial cables tends to differ.

RG59 coaxial cable has a 20 AWG coaxial center conductor, whereas RG6 coaxial cable has an 18 AWG coaxial center conductor.

The thicker 18 AWG coaxial center conductor of RG6 coaxial cable gives it better insulation performance than its predecessor.

RG59 vs RG6: Cable length

RG6 coaxial cable is designed to be used in longer lengths than RG59 coaxial cables can support.

The design of the coaxial cable ensures that signal loss over long distances remains minimal.

Why does the length of the cable matter?

Because the coaxial cable is used to transmit signals over long distances, it has to be able to support longer lengths without a drop in signal quality.

RG59 vs RG6: Inteference by weather

Between the two, which one is likely to be affected by erratic weather conditions?

RG6 coaxial cable is the clear winner here.

It features double shielding, which is made up of a combination of aluminum foil and braided shields that help to reduce the interference caused by bad weather conditions.

The additional layer of shielding also helps in reducing the inclusion of RFI (radio frequency interference).

RG59 vs RG6: Application areas

Given the technical differences between the two coaxial cables, it is imperative to note that they also tend to have different application areas.

RG59 is ideal for low-frequency applications such as analog TV transmission and data transmissions below 50MHz.

On the other hand, RG6 coaxial cable is ideal for high-frequency applications such as HDTV or radio broadcasting.

So it all boils down to your application needs when choosing between these two coaxial cables.

RG59 vs RG6: Price difference

The two coaxial cables are also priced differently.

RG59 coaxial cable is generally cheaper than its counterpart, RG6 coaxial cable.

Given the additional shielding layer and thicker conductor size of RG6 coaxial cable, it tends to be more expensive than RG59 coaxial cable.

However, this should not be your sole determining factor when choosing between the two coaxial cables.

Ultimately, the coaxial cable you choose should be suitable for your application needs and budget.

Are RG6 and RG59 interchageable?

From this guide, it is clear that these two cables are very different.

They have different performance, frequency capacity and applications.

RG6 coaxial cables are designed to provide better signal quality over a long distance of transmission while RG59 coaxial cable is suitable for low-frequency applications such as analog TV transmission and data transmissions below 50MHz.

Therefore, these two coaxial cables should not be interchanged.

It is important to choose the coaxial cable that best suits your application needs and budget.

Choosing the wrong coaxial cable might result in poor signal quality and weaker connectivity for your application.

Buy from the right supplier in China

When sourcing coaxial cable from a China supplier, it is important to ensure that you are getting the right product for your application.

And this is where ICRFQ comes in.

We are a reputable supplier and sourcing agent of coaxial cables in China

We have years of experience in coaxial cables and specialize in providing high-quality coaxial cables for different applications.

Get in touch with us today to get the best coaxial cable for your application

Conclusion

The differences between RG59 and RG6 coaxial cables are quite clear.

RG6 coaxial cable features a thicker conductor size and an additional layer of shielding for enhanced signal quality over long distances.

It also has a higher frequency capacity and better resistance to interference by weather conditions.

In terms of cost, RG59 coaxial cable is generally cheaper than its counterpart.

Ultimately, the coaxial cable you choose should depend on your application needs and budget. Choosing the right coaxial cable can make all the difference in your transmission performance.

It is important to consider all factors before making your final decision. It is always better to be safe than sorry. With the right coaxial cable, you can enjoy a reliable and efficient signal transmission system.

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