A Complete Guide for Coaxial Cables

One of the most common choices for cables in applications that require precisely and consistently spaced conductors is the coaxial cable. The term is derived from the fact that the internal conductor and the external shielding share the same geometric axis. The design itself dates back to the late 19th century, when Oliver eavy side, an !nglish inventor, engineer and mathematician, developed and patented the design. "t is the most common choice for transmitting signals efficiently and protecting them against interference, warping or loss of fidelity. Design of the Coaxial Cable

#t its core, the coax has an inner conductor, typically made from solid copper or steel wire plated with the element, enclosed within a layer of insulation, an outer shield $typically braid made from metal and%or metallic tape&, and an outer 'acket insulating the contents from the exterior. The exact properties of coaxial cables will depend on the materials used in their construction and the details of the construction itself. "nner conductors may be solid or made from strands. "n some cases, the

conductor may be plated with silver to increase performance with signals operating at higher frequencies. The inner insulator may also be made from a variety of materials, including solid plastic, foam or simply air, with non(conductive supports separating it from the outer shield. The outer shield can also be made from a variety of materials, each affecting the performance of the cable. Advantages of the Coaxial Design

# properly manufactured coaxial cable offers a number of benefits unique to this type of design. The most important element is that the cable is an isolated environment. The outer shield separates the electric and magnetic fields within the cable from those in the outside environment, reducing mutual interference and leakage. "n general, the larger the cable and the more layer of shielding, the better the design is at what it does. Of course, the design of the shield itself matters as well, as a braded copper wire mesh will offer lower performance than outer shields made from solid foils or mixed design incorporating foil and a wire braid. Obviously, the coaxial design also

offers superior durability, though the shields may limit the maneuverability and flexibility of the cable somewhat. Applications of the Coaxial Design

#s one of the most well protected cable designs, coaxial cables find extensive use in various fields. They are used for connecting antennas to radio transmitters and receivers, computer networking, cable television and more. )ertain unique variants of coaxial cables also exist, such as the radiating variant, which has holes cut into the external shielding specifically to cause leakage. This turns the cable into a makeshift antenna and can be used in confined spaces where normal antennas would be impractical or downright impossible to use. The flexibility of the cable will also depend greatly on its design, as certain types of cable are less flexible than others $such as those with a braided mesh, rather than a foil or mixed shield, leading to greater susceptibility to electromagnetic

interference&. Connectors

#s with all cables, coaxials will usually end in connectors, allowing for the attachment of devices. These are typically finished with silver or gold to offer better insulation for the internal components. owever, the disadvantage is that this type of finish tends to degrade fast and offer impaired performance. owever, coaxial cables also have an excellent range of different connector types, ranging from industry standard *+# and ,(Type connectors to the more convenient -+# connectors, which are much easier to install, owing to their snap(on nature.

Troubleshooting

owever, coaxial cables aren.t perfect. Their insulation can degrade due to environment factors, especially if they are installed without proper protection, such as water proofing. owever, the most sensitive element of the cable is the internal conductor. #s the external shield is grounded under normal circumstances, damage to the shielding can cause the wire mesh or fragments of the foil to detach and form a circuit with the internal conductor, leading to damage and potentially even destruction of the cable. #s such, coaxial cables have to be handled with care and all peripherals mounted properly to avoid such incidents. owever, a properly handled coaxial cable can be one of the longest lived cables you use, bar none.

Contact Information /ield )omponents, "nc. 01 ,ewtown 1ane suite 123 !ast ampton, ,ew 4ork 11956 Toll /ree 7hone8 000(915(95:5 Email
sales;fieldcomponents.com

Website
http8%%fieldcomponents.com