Coax is a cable that has an internal wire shielded with a conductive outer sheath of a dielectric (non-conductive) material. Here's a look at how to connect your connectors to cable TV coax.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Initial Steps
Step 1. Determine the size of the cable
Cable terminology can be confusing. Look on the side of your coaxial cable to find the size indication. The two most common formats are RG-6 and RG-59.
- RG stands for "Radio Guide". The numbers of the various versions of the RG cable refer to the diameter (59 stands for 0, 059 and 6 for 0, 06, and so on) and the internal characteristics of the cable, including the amount of shielding and attenuation of the cable, refer how much signal loss there is per cable length.
- You may also see the term RF, which stands for "Radio Frequency", used with these cables.
- Most non-industrial coaxial cables are now known as RG-6, although the lower quality, previous level RG-59 standard is still used in some applications and older homes. Commercial installers can use thicker RG cable, such as RG-11, which is only used if the source is more than 61 meters from your home terminal.
- RG cables used in homes for ordinary purposes should be 75 ohm (RG-6 or RG-59).
- Be aware that all cables and their connectors are of different qualities. Get the best quality cable possible.
Step 2. Choose the right connectors
Most home video system connectors are made with F connectors. However, your system may use N-type connectors.
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Be aware that there are different types of RG-6 to F cable, mainly with screw connectors and cable lugs.
- Screw-in connectors are easy to use, but they are less secure and can leave a small air pocket. Some believe this can affect the quality of the signal.
- Crimp connectors have two parts: a ring (crimp) and a terminator. They are typically more difficult to install, but can achieve greater lengths and better connections when used correctly.
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You need to know that a male and female connector of the same type are required to make a connection.
Male connectors have a protruding central wire, while female connectors have a space inside for the central wire to be inserted. Make sure you are using the opposite gender of the connector you are going to build. Most cables end with a male connector
- Use an SMA (Sub-Miniature version A) connector for a very small coaxial cable.
Method 2 of 3: Strip the Cable
The first step in attaching your own connector is to prepare the end of the coaxial cable.
Step 1. Cut the cable wire
Step 2. Peel off the outer rear cover (usually black rubber) about an inch
You have to be very careful not to cut the metal mesh directly under the outer housing. The mesh can be present in the shielded wire either as a "stray" wire or as a metal sheet
Step 3. Pull back the inner braid (second channel) out of the outer cover
Check that none of the twisted wires are wrapped around the central copper conductor or that there is no contact.
Step 4. Cut the plastic dielectric (usually white, but can simply be clear) from the inner core wire
Be absolutely sure not to scratch or score the center conductor. Any damage to this conductor can severely affect the signal
Step 5. Push the connector down on the end of the cable so that the core of the copper coax cable protrudes
Make sure the dielectric (aluminum foil) is cut so that it does not enter the connector terminator
Step 6. Screw the connector into the end of the cable
The wire will be cut in the outer housing and will wrap around the shield fabric, making a perfect fit.
Method 3 of 3: Use a Lug Connector
This is another method that can be used to connect coaxial cable connectors.
Step 1. Place the crimp ring on the end of the cable
Step 2. Cut back the outer cover by about half a centimeter
Step 3. Cut the shield, wire sheath and dielectric down to the innermost bare wire
Step 4. Leave about three millimeters of dielectric
Step 5. Place the terminator on the end of the wire so that the copper core protrudes through the hole
Step 6. Push the cable lug connector into the end of the cable so that the connector tube fits between the foil and the outer body
This can be very difficult to do. Try holding the end of the cable with a pair of pliers or squeezing it in a locking vise. Try not to twist it as you push it down
Step 7. Tighten the ring around the outside of the cable
Step 8. Cut any stray threads
Step 9. Cut the inner core wire to the height of the connector end
Step 10. Tug the connector to make sure it is connected
Advice
- If you have a high speed internet connection and more than two TVs, make sure you are using a high quality RG 6 type connector. When plugging a connector onto the cable, proper preparation is essential to get a clear picture, as well as a solid connection to the modem cable. Use a compression connector available at any home renovation store. Also, when preparing the end of the wire, be careful not to "mark" or score the central copper conductor as it can cause Internet problems, such as packet loss and intermittent connectivity.
- You can purchase crimpers, cutters and wire strippers specially designed for coaxial cable of certain diameters. These tools take some practice to learn how to use them and you won't need to use special tools for these connections. Use the stripper when you are most focused.
- Do not use F-type screw connectors. The cable signal will "run away" from such a connector if it is of poor quality. This can allow unwanted "input" signals to enter the cable line and cause unpleasant distortions such as vertical lines, dashes moving horizontally across the screen, and "taps" or small white dots that appear randomly across the screen.
Warnings
- Professionals use coaxial cable compression fittings with a compression tool that isn't much more expensive than a crimping tool. These are currently used instead of crimping to make the closure more waterproof and the signal is less affected by the presence of the junction point.
- If you are not sure how to do this, leave the work to the professionals of your cable connection provider. Most of them offer relatively cheap prices, especially when compared to that of electricians.
- Make sure you are using a good connector. Don't settle for a job that's not perfect. The cable TV signal can leak from poor quality connectors and interfere with a lot of devices that use RF technology (including airplanes). Also, if too much signal is lost, it could be an FCC violation, that is, by the Federal Communications Commission.
