Complete introduction to coaxial cables

Coaxial cable

Coaxial cables are copper cables built using metal shield and other components that can block signal interference. We can see these wires being used by cable TV companies to connect their satellite antenna facilities to customer homes.

This is also used by telephone companies, when we setup security cameras then also it is used for Ethernet connectivity. Get more help for Arlo security camera setup, for securing homes and office.

The invention of coaxial cable

 

In 1880 an English engineer and mathematician Oliver Heaviside invented Coaxial cable. He patented the invention and design in the same year. In 1940 AT&T established the first cross-continental coaxial transmission system. Based on the carrier technology used and other some factors there are two alternatives to coaxial cable –

·         twisted pair copper wire

·         optical fiber

Design of coaxial cables

Coax cables consist of a concentric layer of electrical conductors and insulating material. This combination in construction to good to ensure signals are enclosed within the cable and it also prevents electrical noise from interfering with the signal.

The center conductor layer of the coaxial cable is a thin conducting wire, which may be either solid or braided copper.

The wire is surrounded by a shield layer then surrounded by the dielectric layer with metal foil or braided copper mesh. Finally the whole assembly is wrapped in an insulating jacket.

The tight control of cable dimensions and used materials are the key for coaxial cable design.

Types of coaxial cables

·         Coaxial cable has round copper tubing and a combination of metals as a shield. These metals are aluminum or copper. When there is need to connect a transmitter to an antenna then coaxial cables are used.

·         For protecting the signals that can be transmitted down the cable, triaxial cable's third layer of shielding is helpful.

·         Rigid-line coaxial cables are made using twin copper tubes. This acts as unbendable pipes and is widely used for indoor use between high-power radio frequency (RF) transmitters.