An In-Depth Guide to Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cable (or "coax") is the most common cable used for transmitting video signals. The name "coaxial" refers to the common axis of its two conductors. Understanding its construction and the various types available is key to selecting the right cable for your project.
Construction & RG Designation
A coaxial cable has a central conductor (solid copper or copper-clad steel) surrounded by a dielectric insulator. This is then wrapped in one or more shields (foil or copper braid) which form the outer conductor and protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI). This entire structure is encased in a protective outer jacket.
Most coaxial cables for video applications have a nominal impedance of 75 ohms. Coaxial cables conforming to U.S. Government specifications use an "RG" designation (e.g., RG-6/U). This stands for "Radio Guide" and is a standard for classifying cables by their characteristics.
If the letters A, B or C appear before the slash (/), it indicates a specification-modification or revision. As an example, RG-8/U is superseded by RG-8A/U.
Common Coax Types & Applications
The three most commonly used coaxial cable types for video applications are RG59/U, RG6/U and RG11/U.
RG59/U is suitable for basic analogue TV antenna feeds and for basic CCTV systems over short cable runs. The copper-clad-steel type has high tensile strength and should be used when terminating the cable with F-Type connectors.
RG6/U Quad-shield is the minimum requirement under the latest Australian Standard for digital TV antenna cabling and for all MATV systems. It is also used for the distribution of Cable TV (CATV) and Satellite TV (SATV).
RG11/U Quad-shield is a thicker, lower-loss cable used for the same applications as RG6/U, but for backbone cabling or for long distribution runs.
Application Guide
| Application | Recommended Cable |
|---|---|
| Analogue TV / Basic CCTV (Short Runs) | RG59/U |
| Digital TV (DTV), CATV, SATV, MATV | RG6/U Quad-shield |
| Long Runs / Backbone Cabling | RG11/U |
Common Coaxial Connectors
BNC connectors are bayonet-type connectors, commonly used in CCTV systems. They are the most suitable connector for use with RG59/U cable.
F-Type connectors are used for CATV, SATV and Digital TV in conjunction with either RG6 or RG11 cables. The cable's inner conductor forms the inner "pin" of the connector.
F-Type Connector Naming
| Connector Name | Application / Description |
|---|---|
| F-59, F-6, F-11 | Male connector for terminating onto RG59, RG6, or RG11 cable. |
| F-61 | Panel-mount female F-connector. |
| F-71 | Male-to-male F-connector adaptor. |
| F-81 | Female-to-female F-connector used as a joiner or in wall plates. |
PAL (Belling Lee) connectors are a push-on connector that have been traditionally used for TV antenna wall plates. They are largely being replaced by F-Type connectors for digital applications.
Adaptors: Where BNC connectors are required with RG6/U coaxial cable, it is recommended that an F-Type plug be crimped to the RG6/U and an F-Type to BNC adaptor used.
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