Top Cable offers a wide variety of coaxial cables to ensure the best pickup and distribution of television and CCTV signals.
WHAT IS A COAXIAL CABLE?
A coaxial cable consists of a copper wire core surrounded by insulation, a copper braid shield and a protective jacket. The core carries electronic signals that constitute the information, surrounding the core is a dielectric insulating layer that separates it from the shield. The copper braided shield acts as a ground and protects the core from electrical noise. The core and the screen must be separated from each other. This is very important because if they were to touch each other, a short circuit would occur.
WHAT DOES THE VATC CATEGORY MEAN IN A COAXIAL CABLE?
The meaning of the acronym VATC is Cable Attenuation Value. Attenuation is a decrease in the signal transmission power provided by the cable between a connection source and the cable destination. It is measured in decibels and directly influences current, voltage and signal power. The higher the attenuation, the more the transmitted signal loses quality.
TV coaxial cables can have a VATC of category 17, 19 or 21. This means that for every 100 meters of cable length, 17, 19 or 21 decibels of signal are lost. If the cable has a higher shielding, the attenuation value of the cable will be lower.
WHAT SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A COAXIAL CABLE FOR TELEVISION?
If you want to connect your TV to a player such as a computer, a game console, a DTT device, a closed circuit TV (CCTV) or any other, you will need a suitable cable for each case. At Top Cable we manufacture coaxial TV cable for industrial and domestic use.
When choosing which cable is the most suitable for connection to the television, the length, the intended use and the shielding of the cable must be taken into account. The screen generates a noise-free signal, preserving the cable from undesirable frequencies and waves that are transmitted through the air, generating a signal of the highest quality. There are different types of screens, depending on the needs of the installation:
- Single screen. Single screen coaxial cables are recommended for connecting the antenna to the DTT or TV set.
- Double screen. They allow a better signal shielding and are recommended to connect the antenna to HD televisions. Coaxial cables manufactured by Top Cable have double shielding.
WHAT DOES RG MEAN ON A COAXIAL CABLE?
The acronym “RG” can be interpreted as “Radio Grade”, or “Radio Guide”. It is a term that dates back to the World War II era, when the military made extensive use of coaxial cable and developed a set of standards to specify the different grades of coaxial cable and their applications. Today this designation is still used, but normatively the cables are governed by MIL-C-17.
As mentioned above, coaxial cables can have both domestic and industrial applications, adapting to each type of installation. There is a wide variety of coaxial cables, among which the RG11 (M17/6), RG6 (M17/2) and RG59 (M 17/29) coaxial cables stand out.
¿CUÁLES SON LAS DIFERENCIAS TÉCNICAS ENTRE EL CABLE RG-11, RG-6 Y RG-59?
Coaxial cables such as RG-11 have lower signal attenuation compared to smaller gauge coaxial cables such as RG-6 or RG-59. This lower attenuation gives it the ability to transmit signal over longer distances without affecting signal quality.
HOW DO CONDUCTOR AND INSULATION MATERIALS AFFECT THE QUALITY OF COAXIAL CABLE?
The quality and maintenance of coaxial cable has a major impact on the quality of signal transmission. Below we highlight some of the ways to check the quality of coaxial cables.
- Observe the integrity of the insulation.
- Measure the consistency of the coaxial cable insulation.
- Verify that the cable has been manufactured by a reliable supplier and that it complies with international quality standards and certifications.
HOW IS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF INSTALLED COAXIAL CABLES PERFORMED?
As in any type of electrical installation, in order to minimize the risk of accidents, it is advisable carry out periodic inspections of the coaxial cables. In this way it is possible to detect any sign of damage, wear or deterioration that may affect the optimal functioning of the cable. Thus, the longevity and reliability of the electrical installation is guaranteed.
Periodic inspections can prevent costly repairs or replacements. Some signs that should be brought to our attention are physical damage, such as cuts or abrasions, as well as signs of degradation of the insulation, screen or cover, such as cracks or discoloration.
HOW TO CHOOSE A RELIABLE COAXIAL CABLE SUPPLIER?
To choose a reliable coaxial cable supplier, it is important to go to an electrical distributor that offers full guarantees. Make sure that your supplier purchases coaxial cables from manufacturers with RoHS, CE, CPR and AENOR quality certificates, such as Top Cable.
