What are coaxial cables?
Coaxial cable is a type of cable that has an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, surrounded by a conductive shielding. It is commonly used by cable operators, telephone companies, and internet providers around the world to transfer data customers. It has been around for a long time and has also been used extensively within homes.
What are the parts of coaxial cables?
- Center conductor – copper-clad steel.
- Center conductor bond – clean stripping polymer is utilized to block moisture migration.
- Dielectric – polyethylene providing mechanically stable, closed cell foam with high VP.
- First outer conductor – shield with an aluminum-polymer aluminum tape securely bonded to the dielectric core.
- Second outer conductor – an additional aluminum-polymer-aluminum tape is used in tri-shield and quad-shield constructions to further enhance HF shield isolation before and after flexure.
- Third outer conductor – an additional aluminum-polymer-aluminum tape is used in tri-shield and quad-shield constructions to further enhance HF shield isolation before and after flexure.
- Fourth outer conductor – an additional 34 or 36 AWG aluminum braid is used in quad-shield constructions to further improve LF shield isolation in extreme RF noise environments.
- Corrosion resistant protectant
- Indoor and aerial – a non-drip material designed to eliminate moisture migration into the cable construction.
- Underground – a flowing compound able to seal small jacket ruptures.
- Jacket – a UV stable outer jacket of either polyethylene (PE) or flame retardant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is available to protect the core during installation and for the installed life of the cable.
- Integral messenger – a galvanized, carbon steel wire support member attached to the cable by a separable web.
Why use coaxial cables?
Coax cables are easy to install and very durable. If you are working on a home installation or medium-capacity data transfer network, then you’d probably be better off sticking with coax cable. Also, the key to the coaxial cable’s success has been its shielded design, which allows the cable’s copper core to transmit data quickly, without succumbing to interference or damage from environment factors.