Coax Cable Assemblies (Cable with Connectors)

FAQs

What are RF cable assemblies used for?

An RF coaxial cable assembly is used primarily for the transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals. These assemblies are crucial in a variety of applications and industries including telecommunications, aerospace, military, automotive, medical equipment, and many more. In these contexts, the RF cables facilitate the connection and communication between different hardware components, enabling the smooth transfer of high-frequency signals.

Do the coaxial cables used in custom RF cable assemblies have a stranded center conductor?

Yes, the coaxial cables used in custom RF cable assemblies can have a stranded center conductor to provide greater flexibility and durability. 

Coax Lightning Protection Basics

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.