Coax Cable

Coax cable is a type of transmission line, used to carry high frequency electrical signals with low losses. Coaxial electrical cable construction includes:

1. An inner conductor or center core. This is typically solid copper, stranded copper, or copper plated steel wire.
2. A tubular, dielectric insulator layer around the core. This is generally made of solid or foam plastic.
3. A tubular, metallic, conducting shield around the insulating layer. This is usually one to four layers of woven metallic braid and metallic tape, but it can be a solid, metallic sheath.
4. An outer plastic jacket commonly made of PVC. The exact composition of the outer sheath of the coax cable can make the cable fare better in direct sun, buried underground, and in other environments.

Common diameters for coax cables cores with 50 ohms impedance include:

• .95 mm / .037” (LMR 195 with an outer diameter of 4.95 mm / .195”)
• 1.42 mm / .056” (LMR 240 with an outer diameter of 6.1 mm / .24”)
• 2.74 mm / .101” (LMR 400 with an outer diameter of 10.29 mm / .405”)
• 4.47 mm / .176” (LMR 600 with an outer diameter of 14.99 mm / .59”)

The smaller the diameter, the more flexible the cable is, but the higher the dBi gain per foot.

Related RSP Supply education videos include:

• Waterproofing Coax Connections
• Coax Lightning Protection Basics