Coax Cable Assemblies: Understanding The Facts

About Coax Cable Assemblies, Those in the networking and wireless industry require sturdy cables that can withstand constant plugging, unplugging, and exposure to the elements.

With custom coax cable assemblies, this is very achievable.

In addition, users enjoy benefits such as better pull strength and flexible support, all coupled with durability. 

What Are Coaxial Cables?

Coaxial cables are a type of signal transmission component used to carry electrical waves from one device, system, or component to the other.

Standard electrical cables consist of single or multiple wires via which electrical currents are passed.

However, coaxial cables are used to move radio RF signals in the form of transverse electromagnetic waves. 

The coaxial cable design has the inner conductor enclosed by a dielectric layer protected in a tube-shaped sandwich containing extra layers of protection and an external protective jacket that prevents damaging the signal conveying components from environmental challenges or damage during installation. 

Coax cables are often applied in transmission lines because they transmit high-frequency signals at low loss.

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial Cable Uses

In the past, coaxial cables were used as ethernet and could support up to 10 Mbps. However, the use of twisted pair cabling changed the status.

Nonetheless, they are still used in a wide range of military equipment, consumer devices, and in some cases, ultrasound scanning devices.

The bottom line is that they are beneficial as

Signal Boosters.

According to the stats, Wilson Amplifiers is currently the leading cell phone signal boosters provider.

Such devices utilize an external and internal antenna and an amplifier linked together by coaxial cables.

Furthermore, it can bypass varying forms of signal-blocking materials. 

With such technology, users can boost their weak external cell signs and enjoy stronger signals within their homes, offices, or vehicles. 

Basic RF

RF, also known as Radio Frequency, refers to waves created when alternating current passes via a conductive material, which is exactly what happens with frequency signals.

Moreover, you can apply them with any RF system. 

Cable Internet 

You can use coax cables to provide home cable internet. They are copper-based, which makes it easy to pipe them into users’ homes, where they’re connected to a router or modem to transmit the signal.

Once this happens, users can wire their devices to the router or opt for WiFi to gain speedy internet access.

Ham Radio

People who wish to communicate over airwaves can use Ham radio by connecting a coaxial cable to their antenna to get a stronger signal. 

Users can set up their Ham radios in the middle of nowhere without using a cell phone or internet technology.

Coaxial Cable Connector

Coaxial Cable Types 

The following are some of the most basic specifications for coaxial cables.

• The RG cable type refers to a refresh Radio Guide. Today, it is mainly obsolete because the underlying standards that define such terms are no longer relevant. That said, there is still the RG-6, a standard version that you can use for various home video applications.
• The inner core conductor material can be bare, silver-coated, tinned, or aluminum copper. 
• The standard impedance of cables is between 50 to 93 ohms. 
• The jacket material is used for the protective outer layer of the cable.
• Some of the primary cable dimensions include outer diameter, wire gauge, and length.
• The preferred connector configuration has the desired gender and the specific connector types like the SMA, N-type, BNC, or SMB. 
• There is a minimum bend radius.
• The attenuation of the length of the cable is measured in dB per unit. 
• Finally, there is the rated temperature of the cable.

 Coaxial Cable Specifications Chart

Different Types Of Coaxial Cable Connectors

The following are the different coaxial cable connectors.

7/16 DIN Connectors

There are sturdy, threaded connectors mainly used for linking coaxial cable lengths in environments exposed to moisture.

DIN means Deutsches Institut für Normung, which translates to “Standardisation Institute.”

It is often used in radio-based stations and broadcasting equipment.

BNC Connectors

The Bayonet Neil-Concelman or BNC connectors are small-sized and are used for testing instruments like TVs, radios, and other kinds of AV equipment.

Furthermore, they are designed for rapid connection and disconnection.

F Connectors

The F-type connector is commonly applied when an electrical signal must be conducted to a TV set.

Therefore, they can be paired up with RG6 and RG59 cables.

FME Connectors

Mobile Equipment, or FME,  are tiny threaded connectors mostly used with mobile equipment. 

MBX Connectors

These connectors are used to create connectors within radio frequency equipment.

Their key features include robustness, good power handling capabilities, and ideal electrical performance.

MCX Connectors

The term MCX refers to micro-coaxial; as the name implies, they are smaller connectors great for places with limited space.

Like most other coaxial connectors, the MCX is made for easy application and removal in GPS systems, TV tuner cards for computers, and WiFi routers. 

MMBX Connectors

Like the MBX connectors, the MMBX version provides users flexible and dependable connections with radio communications components, even if misaligned.

One of its primary features is allowing several connections between adapters. 

N Connectors

The N connector, sometimes called the N-type connector, has medium-sized connectors with several features, like waterproofing.

It got its name from the American electrical engineer called Paul Neill. It is ideally used for radio transmission equipment. 

OSMT Connectors

These connectors are usually made from polymer and nickel/gold plating.

Hence they are widely used in GPS devices, telecoms, automobiles, and consumer electronics. 

OSP Connectors

These connectors have a slide or slap-on mechanism for mating and are used mainly for radio equipment. 

QLI Connectors

The QLI Connector is a variation of DIN 7/16 since it uses a similar bayonet lock setup and provides almost the same performance capabilities.

Its key features include toughness and an ability to perform well in harsh environments. 

QMA Connectors

These connectors are a second variation of the SMAs, with the Q standing for ‘Quick.’

They are designed for rapid attachment and detachment without a torque spanner, making things easier.

They also come with a robust design that makes them resistant to vibrations and ideal for outdoor settings.

Its other applications include air traffic control systems, radio base stations, and transmission equipment.

QN Connectors

These are fast-lock variants of the N-type connector and can be used with high-powered cables. They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

RCA Connectors

The term RCA stands for Radio Corporation of America, which helps to tell the tale of how this connector came about in the 1940s for usage with vinyl turntables.

They are also called cinch connectors, with their plugs being called phone plugs, referring to the phonograph, one of the earliest forms of recording devices.

Today, you can find RCA connectors still being used in video and audio equipment like game consoles and camcorders. 

SHV Connectors

The SHV or safe high voltage connector uses a bayonet-locking mechanism similar to the one found in BNC and MHV connectors.

They provide a distinctive protruding type of insulator and are primarily designed for safe use with different high-voltage cables. 

SMA Connectors

The Subminiature version A or SMA connector is sometimes confused with its F coax counterpart.

However, a slight difference of 2mm exists between the two. They are often used for handheld radios, walkie-talkies, WiFi antennae, and radio telescopes. 

SMB Connectors

Like the SMA, the SMB or Subminiature version B connector has an easy-to-use design ideal for telecom equipment and various industrial electronics. 

SMC Connectors

The SubMiniature version C or SMC is another variation of the SMA connector and has a screw-type interface.

One of its primary features is its ability to offer air-tight protection against things like leakage or damage. 

SMP Connectors

These connectors come with a snap-on interface and can have strong electrical performance.

Therefore, a good choice for more demanding environments. Some of its primary features include robustness and resistance to shock and vibrations. 

TNC Connectors

The TNC or Threaded Neil-Concelman connectors are a type of BNC connector made for outdoor use, like radio and mobile phone antennas. 

Triax Connectors

These are variants of the BNC connector with triaxial cables. They offer better bandwidth but tend to be more expensive.

Some of their key features are an extra insulation layer and a conducting sheath. 

Twinax Connectors

These double variations of your BNC connector are often used to prevent getting mixed signals and can sometimes be referred to as Twin BNC connectors.

Their key features include a latching mechanism, male and female contact points, and a crimp connector for easy installation.  

TV/Aerial Connectors

These are one of the most basic connectors you can find on the market. They are typically used with TV sets that have an aerial socket.

UFL Connectors

These connectors are ideal for tight spaces, including printed circuit boards, plug-in WiFi attachments, and small radio frequency devices. 

UHF Connectors

The term UHF means Ultra High Frequency. However, despite what their name suggests, technology has greatly advanced since their invention and is now used with low-frequency devices in video connectors for military components.

UMCC Connectors

The UMCC or Ultra Miniature Coax connector is typically used for frequency cables of about 6 GHz in very small-scale environments like the embedded circuitry and laptop circuit boards.

Furthermore, they are commonly used to create connections to GPS and WiFi antennas.

Benefits Of Custom Coaxial Cable Assembly

RF cable assemblies can be ordered standard or custom at Cloom. Just specify the cable type used and the connectors required.

Ensure Reliability And Performance

With coaxial cable assembly, users get high-quality designs that accommodate conventional RG, micro-coax, vendor-specified, braided, semi-rigid, hand-comfortable, and LMR types solutions.

However, engineers have access to RF cable assemblies that can hold up against a range of challenging environments.

Hardline

These coaxial cables use a central silver, copper, steel, or aluminum conductor.

It also tends to be larger than other kinds of coaxial cables and often used in extremely strong signal transmission.

Other hardlines use pressurized nitrogen, like some inhibitors, for moisture intrusion and to prevent arcing. 

Flexible Coaxial Cable

Flexible coaxial cables can move or flex as required based on the geometry and configuration of the use.

A standard design for a flexible coax cable involves using a metallic inner conductor within a flexible polymer that works as the dielectric.

Finally, there is an external jacket for additional environmental protection. 

Suppose there is a scenario requiring increased flexibility. In that case, you can switch the metallic core conductor to a stranded design from the solid wire.

At the same time, you can switch a PE or polyethylene dielectric foam out for a firmer dielectric material.

The flexible coax cable is also the most commonly used, making it familiar to those who have witnessed it, especially when connecting video equipment and TVs. 

Triaxial cable

The triaxial cable, also known as a Triax, is a type of cable to which an extra copper braid is added that serves as a shield.

It is also properly grounded. As a result, it passes over capacitive field noises and loop currents from the internal core conductive elements.

Furthermore, the cables can provide users with features such as interference rejection, increased bandwidth, and a better signal-to-noise ratio when compared to your standard coaxial cable.

In addition, they help to reduce cable loading and losses. 

Twin-axial cable

These cables, which also go by the name Twinax or Twin axial, are made with two primary conductors found in the core, which have one outer core and a dielectric, which is not the case with most conventional designs of coax cables in the market.

Some of the benefits of the twin axial cable include better protection from capacitive fields and ground loops and reduced levels of low-frequency magnetic sounds.

All in all, these cables are well-suited for low-frequency video and digital applications. 

Semi-rigid

These cables use a sturdy outer sheath with a dielectric form of PTFE, which provides excellent shielding features and enhanced high-frequency performance.

As a result, these types of coaxial cables are not meant to be flexed or reformed once they have undergone the initial process. 

Formable Coaxial Cable

Typically an alternative to the semi-rigid coaxial cable, the formable coax has a flexible metal sheet, not an external rigid copper one.

You can reform or reshape it by hand to adhere to a prescribed cable configuration without requiring specialized tools.

Sometimes, you can use a formable coax to lay out the design or pattern for cable placement when dealing with prototype applications.

Once stabilized, you can convert the design to make it applicable to semi-rigid coaxial cables. 

Rigid line

These cables are made of two center-mounted copper tunes with fixed support features at various intervals across the length of PTFE or disk insulators.

Its transmission lines are made and sold in flanged-straight sections based on a particular length, meaning that a set of basic couplings or connectors like the 45⁰ or 90⁰ elbows can easily join the areas of transmission as required. 

Furthermore, they have special springs and braces that promote the differential contraction and expansion of the external copper tubes found in the transmission line run. 

Overmolding Enhances Strength, Durability, And Protection Against The Elements

Most RF applications are often exposed to constant use and various elements, which can threaten performance and reliability.

RF cable assembly offers more strength and strain relief. Cable overmolding increases durability, enhances strength, and helps protect the cable against harsh conditions.

Cable assemblies can be configured from any materials and finished with connectors in virtually any configuration, including right-angle connections.

Meet Competing RF Requirements

Regardless of robustness, space restrictions, cost issues, or performance demands, coaxial cable assembly can offer customers sustainable solutions to even the most challenging applications. 

Conclusion

The consumer and wireless network field creators of wireless devices usually struggle to balance space constraints, performance capabilities, and robustness requirements to get what they need for connectors.

Hence why coax cables have become so important today.

For all your coax cable assembly needs, feel free to visit Cloom Tech.