
Coax Cable Assemblies (Cable with Connectors)

Coaxial cable is a form of signal transmission cable that is used to transmit electrical signals between components, devices or systems. It is used to send radio frequency (RF) signals in the form of electromagnetic waves, unlike standard electrical cable which consists of wires through which an electrical current is passed. The design of coaxial cable consists of an inner conductor, usually copper, which is then insulated with a dielectric maternal, then wrapped in some form of shielding such as woven copper, and then wrapped in a plastic jacket. Coaxial cable can transmit high-frequency signals with low degradation and signal loss.
Cable assemblies are coaxial cables with connectors on either end. They are selected based on the connector interfaces and the length of the cable. Some assemblies have the same coaxial connector on both ends and others have different coaxial cables on either end. Different types of cables are required for different types of applications. The connectors are based on the devices that the cable assembly needs to be connected to.
The most commonly used coaxial cable for applications that require high signal strength is hard-line coaxial cable. Hard-line cables usually measure around 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches in diameter; larger than most coaxial cables. They have a center conductor made of materials such as copper, silver, aluminum or steel.
The N-type connector is a threaded, weatherproof, medium-size RF connector for durable applications and can operate up to 11 GHz.
The 7/16 DIN connector is a threaded, waterproof connector with a 7 mm center conductor and a 16 mm internal diameter of the outer conductor. It can operate up to 7.5 GHz and is suitable for operation in extreme weather conditions.
Products
4 things to consider when selecting lightning protection for coax connected devices:
- Frequency range. All lightning protectors offer a specific frequency range that they protect against. For example, a protector may offer 698 megahertz all the way up to 2.7 gigahertz of protection.
- Connection type. The most common connector is N female, however, there are also N male, TNC or many other different types of connections. In some cases the protector offers bidirectional protection so the input and output can be reversed.
- DC pass vs DC block type protectors. DC pass type protectors are used if power is needed at the antenna tower to power a particular device. It allows low voltage current to pass through the center pin of the coax cable to power the device. If no power is needed at the antenna tower, a DC block type protector is used, which would not allow any current to pass through the center pin of a coax connector.
- Technology type. The most common and cost effective type of technology is gas tube protection. In most cases, it will last about five years. One thing to consider with gas tube protectors is that they can build up static electricity over time, and if that static electricity discharges, it can damage equipment. The second type of technology is coil inductors. Coil inductors offer very reliable protection against lightning strikes and heavy surges, as well as not degrading over time. They only need replacement with significant lightning strikes. There is no threat of static buildup with a coil inductor protector. The only real disadvantage of using coil inductor technology is the cost. Typically, they are about 30 to 40% more expensive than gas tube technology.