What antenna cable is needed? How to choose an antenna cable for your TV

We connect, change, install, repair antenna cable for TV.
The antenna cable laid around the apartment is checked for weakening of the television signal and shielding of radio-electronic interference.

The "Parameters and Specifications" section provides the necessary information for the right choice and shopping.

We provide service to all areas of Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region. on the use of cables and connectors to obtain high-quality television images.

Depending on the place where it is laid antenna cable for tv(small apartment or large country house), as well as from the source of the antenna signal (panel on the staircase, external terrestrial passive or active television antenna, or satellite dish), as well as the number of connected TVs, place different demands on the “stream” through which our favorite TV shows will flow into our home. The quality of the transmitted antenna signal is significantly influenced by several basic characteristics of the antenna TV cable.

Which TV antenna cable is better?

The table below shows the characteristics and comparative parameters - antenna cable for tv:
Sat 703. TV cable manufacturer Cavel, diameter 6 mm, copper central core, double shield with copper braid.
Sat 50. Manufacturer Cavel, cable diameter 6 mm, copper central core, double shield with copper braid.
RG-6. Manufacturer Rexant, diameter 6 mm, copper-plated steel central core of the cable, double screen.
RG-59+CU. Manufacturer Rexant, diameter 5 mm, copper central core, cable with double shield and copper stranded braid.

As can be seen from the table: antenna cable for a TV - characteristics and parameters, the main difference appears at high frequencies in the UHF range of television channels. It is better to use Cavel cable for satellite TV antennas television signals frequency 1750 MHz.

Answer questions which tv cable is better And how to choose an antenna cable for a TV Labeling it helps. You should find out the specific operating conditions and the devices connected to it. It is also important to know the source of the television signal - terrestrial or satellite antenna, the climatic conditions of the cable, the total length of the installation, the number of connected TVs, the presence of powerful sources of electrical interference, the diameter of the outer insulating layer and even the color of the television cable should be taken into account when ordering.

Diameter - a television antenna cable with a smaller diameter is easier to lay around the apartment, mask, and has a smaller bending radius. But, in all other characteristics, it loses, and most importantly, it has a smaller not only overall size, but also the diameter of the central core: 0.5 mm. Therefore, the connection and connection of such a cable will not be good in standard connectors and splitters designed for a center conductor diameter of 1 mm.
Shielding - A modern television cable has a main metal foil shield and an additional metal braided shield, which reduce the level of interference from sources such as electric motors and transformers household appliances, radiotelephones. Replacing an old single-screen cable with a dual-screen cable often improves picture quality: ripples from interference on the TV screen disappear.
Protective carbon layer- the presence of a protective carbon layer in the television cable implies its connection outdoors. Operating conditions, whether the product will experience temperature changes from + 40 in the summer to - 30 in the winter, determine the service life.
Composition of the central core and braid- it is believed that TV wire with a copper central core it is better. This opinion is not always true. A cable with a copper core is used in installation satellite systems, where direct current flows through the central core, together with the high-frequency television signal, to power the converter. In the case of cable and terrestrial television, the radio frequency signal - that is, essentially high-frequency currents - flows exclusively along the surface of the conductor. Thus, when transferring antenna signals, a cable with a copper-clad steel core will not lose in attenuation characteristics.
TV cable length- the overall attenuation of the signal, that is, a decrease in the level of the television signal, is a multiple of its total length, and when installed inside an apartment, when about 30 meters are spent through a splitter, it has no practical significance.
TV cable color coding- there is an opinion that by the color of the external insulation, or the stripes applied to it, we can talk about its quality. It is believed that black cable is intended for outdoor use, and white cable is intended for indoor installation, that longitudinal color stripes indicate its quality, and green is the best. However, properties can only be judged by technical specifications, in which there is no color marking. The choice of color depends on the preferences of the buyer, and the presence of stripes of different colors on the cables simplifies installation cable systems with lots of wires.

REXANT TV cable marking

Products trademark REXANT appeared on Russian market not so long ago. The company's production facilities are located in China. TV cables, as well as F-connectors, plugs, lugs, adapters produced by REXANT are in mass demand thanks to good ratio prices and quality.

RG is produced by REXANT. The most widely used types of television coaxial cables are: RG-6U+CU; RG-6U; RG-59; RG-59+CU; 3C-2V and RG-58A/L.

REXANT RG-6U+CU characteristic impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper conductor with a diameter of 1 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 copper threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper, ensuring simultaneous signal transmission high frequency And DC With minimal losses, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric, which maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and the screen. The outer sheath of the cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6.8 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the F-connector to it. The REXANT RG-6U+CU antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from satellite and terrestrial antennas, as well as signals cable television.

REXANT RG-6U wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 1 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 steel threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper-plated steel, which provides high-frequency signal transmission with minimal loss, but is not intended for direct current transmission, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric that maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer shell of the television cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6.8 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the F-connector to it. The REXANT RG-6U antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air antennas, as well as cable television signals.

REXANT RG-59+CU wave impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper conductor with a diameter of 0.58 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 48 copper threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper, allowing simultaneous transmission of high frequency and direct current signals with minimal loss, and is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric that maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer sheath of the cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 5.4 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-59 F-connector for 5 mm cable. The REXANT RG-59+CU antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from satellite and terrestrial antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

REXANT RG-59 characteristic impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 0.5 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 32 steel threads. The internal single-core conductor is enclosed in a polyethylene dielectric, which maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and the screen. The outer shell of the television cable is made of PVC and has a diameter of 6 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-59 F-connector for a 5 mm cable. The REXANT RG-59 antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air television antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

REXANT 3C-2V characteristic impedance 75 Ohm, consists of a coaxially placed central single-core copper-plated steel conductor with a diameter of 0.5 mm; screen consisting of aluminum foil and 32 steel threads. The internal solid conductor is made of copper-plated steel, providing high-frequency signal transmission, and is enclosed in a 3 mm diameter FPE polyethylene dielectric, which maintains the coaxial location of the conductor and shield. The outer shell is made of PVC and has a diameter of 5 mm, which ensures reliable fastening of the RG-58 F-connector on it. The REXANT 3C2V antenna cable is suitable for transmitting signals from over-the-air antennas, as well as cable television signals over short distances.

Options TV cable.

Total length from the signal source to the TV.
With a total cable length of less than 20 m, the practical impact is not noticeable. (Defining parameter: attenuation per meter of length)

Frequency range television signal carrier. The table of terrestrial analogue and digital channels, as well as the frequencies of cable television channels are in the same range, and the carrier frequency of the television signal is from satellite dish significantly higher (determining parameter: frequency dependence of attenuation).

Presence of electronic interference.
Modern tv cable protected by two shielding layers: foil and braid, the density of which significantly affects the effectiveness of the shielding factor. (parameter: shield efficiency)

Installation location- an antenna television cable laid outdoors is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, significant changes in temperature and humidity. (Determining parameter: aging coefficient. The presence of an external protective carbon layer significantly reduces the impact of the environment)

TV cable thickness, which is measured by external insulation (defining parameter: diameter). The ease of laying and masking depends on the diameter. Most often, a wire with a diameter of the outer insulating layer of 6 mm is used. Sometimes a thinner one, with a diameter of 5 mm, is used.

Installation TV antenna can be done at home independently, without the involvement of expensive specialists. For such a procedure you will need coaxial cable with the necessary components. How to choose a high-quality and optimal cable so that it will last for many years, and what parameters should you pay attention to when purchasing?

We offer expert advice and a selection of the most popular cable brands with descriptions, price categories and user ratings.

When choosing a coaxial cable, you need to consider a number of parameters:

Temperature resistance

Before choosing a cable, you need to consider where the cable will run. If the antenna will be placed somewhere behind the house or on its roof, then preference should be given to a cable that is resistant to temperature changes. The resistance of the wire to high moisture is also important. It is best to use a thick cable with a thicker central core for street wiring. Such a cable must be framed in dense top insulation.

Diameter

To place the antenna on a window or balcony, a cable with an outer diameter of 6-8 millimeters will be sufficient.
For street wiring, a thicker cable is suitable - 10 millimeters in diameter or more.
If we proceed from durability indicators, then it is better to immediately purchase a thick television wire.

Braid density

The density of the cable is an indicator of its long service life, but during installation sometimes you have to bend the wire in several places, so you should not take a cable with the most rigid insulation. A conductor in thin rubber, aluminum film or polyethylene dielectric, PVC is ideal. Good braiding should not be easily peeled or pulled off the wire, and it will not be easily scratched.

Copper core

The priority is for cables with a copper core. There is no evidence that other alloys are worse or unreliable, but according to the advice of electricians, it is better to buy a copper product.

There are also copper-plated steel conductors, most often their production is based in China, you should not be afraid of this, the service life of such wires is in no way inferior to copper ones.

Good composition

You can determine the composition of a coaxial television cable by asking the seller to make a cut on the wire. Ideally, in a cross-section, the buyer should view a copper core with a cross-section of at least 1 millimeter in diameter, dense insulation, a layer of dense foil and braided copper or tin, a screen made of aluminum or copper wire, dense outer shell made of PVC foam polyethylene.

Cable length

This indicator should be purely individual. Before purchasing, you need to measure the distance from the TV to the intended antenna. IN given distance All possible turns, nicks and bends must be included. The wire should not be close to both installations, it should not be stretched; a minimum reserve is required in case of reinstallation or stripping.

Cable accessories

When purchasing a cable, you must immediately buy splitters, connectors, plugs and adapters. Before purchasing, ask the seller to try them on the selected wire so that they fit exactly in diameter. Ideally, you should immediately stock up on corner adapters so that the bending of the coaxial cable is minimal.

How to connect the cable

Connecting the cable to a TV or antenna occurs according to the following algorithm:

You need to screw the plugs on both sides of the cable. To do this you need to do at the end of the wire circular cut, retreating 1.5-2 centimeters from the edge. You only need to cut off the top sheath of the wire without damaging the braid;
Carefully bend back the foil and screen hairs. This method will release the inner layer of insulation. A circular cut is also made on this layer and the core is released from the protection. The distance from the bare core and the folded foil must be at least 2 millimeters;
The last step is to screw the plug clockwise onto the wire until it stops, and cut off the rest of the excess wire.

Do everything again on the other edge of the cable.

Popular brands

3C-2V

Resistance 75 Ohm.

copper-plated steel core 0.5 millimeters in diameter;
second screen-braid of 32 steel threads;
internal insulation - polyethylene dielectric with a diameter of 3 millimeters;
The outer insulation shell is PVC with a diameter of 5 millimeters.

The cable is excellent for installing terrestrial and cable television over short distances.

The price of the wire varies from 10 rubles per 1 meter. User rating −9.6.

DG 113

copper core 1.13 mm thick;
double reinforced braid made of combined aluminum and plastic foil;
a second layer of braid made of a combined material of tin and copper;
inner insulation shell made of polyethylene dielectric;
external insulation - PVC with a diameter of 6.6 millimeters.

The cable is practical, suitable for installing all types of antennas. Provides high quality transmission of high-frequency signal data without interference.

Price: from 65 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.9.

RG-58A/L

Characteristic impedance 50 Ohm.

multi-core base of 19 copper wires with a diameter of 0.12 millimeters;
first braided aluminum foil;
second braid of 48 copper threads;
internal insulating coating made of dielectric.
external insulation - PVC with a diameter of 5 millimeters.

Price: from 50 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 8.7.

RG 59

Cable resistance 75 Ohm.

copper-plated steel core 0.5 millimeters in diameter;
the first braid is made of thin aluminum foil;
screen made of 32 tinned copper threads;

The wire is suitable for transmitting signals from satellite and terrestrial antennas over long distances. It is possible to mount satellite antennas over short distances.

Price: from 20 rubles per 1 meter. User rating: 9.4.

RG-59+CU

Cable resistance 75 Ohm.

copper-plated steel core 0.58 millimeters in diameter;
the first layer of aluminum foil braid;
second screen-braid of 48 copper threads;
The external insulating coating of the cable is PVC with a diameter of 5.4 millimeters.

Price: from 25 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.1.

RG-6

Resistance 75 Ohm.

single-core copper base 1 millimeter thick;
the first braided screen is made of aluminum foil;
braided screen made of 48 copper threads;
internal insulation - foamed polyethylene;
outer insulating shell – PVC with a diameter of 6 millimeters.

This brand of cable serves excellently when installing cable, terrestrial and digital television.

Price: from 10 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.6.

RG-6U

Characteristic impedance 75 Ohm.

copper-plated steel core with a diameter of 1 millimeter;
the first layer of aluminum foil braid;
the second braid consists of 48 copper threads;
internal insulation - polyethylene dielectric;
outer shell - PVC with a diameter of 6.8 millimeters.

The cable is designed to receive signals from high frequency, but not suitable for constant current supply.

RG-6U+CU

Cable resistance 75 Ohm.

copper core 1 millimeter thick;
aluminum foil braid;
braid of 48 copper threads;
insulation from the inside - polyethylene dielectric;
external insulation - PVC with a diameter of 6.8 millimeters.

Universal model. It simultaneously transmits high-frequency signals and direct current. Transmission occurs with minimal current losses.

Price: from 15 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.8.

SAT 50

Cable resistance 50 Ohm.

copper core with a diameter of 1 millimeter;
reinforced double braid made of combined foil, aluminum and plastic;
the second layer consists of a combined material: tin and copper;
internal insulation - polyethylene dielectric;

The cable performed well in installation both outdoors and indoors. The wire is suitable for any antennas and does not distort the transmission of high-frequency signals.

Price: from 30 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.8.

SAT 703

The characteristic impedance of the cable is 75 Ohms.

copper base 1.13 mm thick;
screen made of two layers of aluminum-plastic foil;
a second layer of braided tin and copper;
insulation from the inside made of polyethylene dielectric;
external insulation - PVC with a diameter of 6.6 millimeters.

This coaxial cable qualitatively transmits all television signals both on the street and in buildings

The cost of the cable is from 40 rubles per 1 meter. Score: 9.7.

RK 75

Cable resistance 75 Ohm.

copper base with a diameter of 1 millimeter;
the first braid is made of foil (thin aluminum);
screen made of 48 tinned copper threads;
Insulation from the inside is made of non-conductive polyethylene;
insulation on the outside - PVC shell with a diameter of 6 millimeters.

They use wire to install terrestrial and cable television on the street. Suitable for installing a satellite dish over short distances and for interior work.

The cost of the cable ranges from 12 rubles per 1 meter. User rating: 9.4.

Buying a TV for your home is a very serious matter for which you need to seriously prepare. If you have an expensive screen in your home, you should ensure that the equipment is equipped with the best components. Coaxial cable for TV - which one to choose? If you are interested in repairs and at the same time the question of buying TV equipment is brewing, then you should choose the best antenna cable for your TV. Obviously, there are thousands of different variations of this equipment on sale, which differ in name, parameters, markings and colors. AND different types televisions offer the user “their” components, but this is not always the best option.

We will not hide the fact that such an abundance of technology can baffle even a qualified specialist, so today we will talk about the most good models, which you should pay attention to.

Important! If you have at least a general understanding of the topic that is on at the moment in question, you might be interested to know:

Basic concepts and parameters

Before you start looking for an answer to the question of which antenna cable is best to use for your TV, you should understand the main nuances of the device.

Device

The principle of operation and manufacturing are not much different. There are main cores that are hidden in insulation, and a screen and braid are laid on top of this material. The “cherry” on this “cake” is the protective shell.

Important! You should know that conductors of this type are called coaxial.

Materials

A good coaxial cable for your TV will include such materials.

The internal conductor is capable of transmitting data in all forms known to television and powering the satellite converter. That is why the materials contain copper and steel, more precisely:

the central core itself is made of steel;
A small layer of copper material is applied on top of it.

Important! The copper core itself is needed only by the satellite, and everything else is done by a steel component with a copper layer applied.

The braid and shield are designed to provide protection against a wide variety of interference. The higher quality these parts are, the better the quality of the television signal itself will be:

To create a screen, aluminum or lavsan foil is used.
Copper or aluminum wires are suitable for braiding.

Important! There is a value that characterizes the level of protection. It is best to give to those devices for which this value varies from 60 to 80 decibels.

Inside there is a plastic dielectric that reliably hides the central conductor, protecting it from various types of damage and isolating it from contact with the screen or braid. The outer shell hides all the filling and helps to avoid mechanical stress. At the end of the work, all installed cords can be hidden in

Marking

TV antenna cable - how to choose? The product labeling should also be taken into account. Most often, the following brands of coaxial conductors for antennas are used:

Important! Each of them has a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms and is suitable for only one TV.

Review of popular models

In order to find the best antenna cable for your TV, we have compiled small rating popular devices.

RG-6

This model was provided to the market by a manufacturer from Russia, but the production, oddly enough, is Chinese:

The central core (central core) is made of copper and has a thickness of 1 millimeter.
This component is hidden inside a shell made of classic polyethylene foam.
The conductor is equipped with a foil shield, aluminum or copper braiding and protective material.
The average wire thickness is approximately 7 millimeters.

Important! This brand is perfect for cable, classic and digital television. A meter of this product will cost 6 cents.

RK 75

Analogue to the previous product, which is also produced in Russia:

A copper core with a thickness of 1 millimeter, a PE dielectric and a copper screen.
A single screen allows you to use the conductor for playing and transmitting terrestrial as well as cable television.
Dual screen of this type Suitable for a satellite dish installed inside the building.

Important! A meter of this product costs about 9 cents.

RG 59

A small-sized version of the first representative of the family with a thickness of 0.57 millimeters and an outer diameter of 5.5 millimeters. Copes with all known types of signal transmission. It can work with satellite data at a distance of about 200 meters.

Unfortunately, the small thickness causes increased attenuation, which negatively affects image quality with every meter of distance.

Important! This model can only be used for one TV receiver. The product is very fragile and can easily break under external mechanical influence. Despite this, such a purchase will cost 16 cents per meter.

SAT 50

Italian products from the manufacturer Cavel:

The central fluid is made of copper and has a thickness of 1 millimeter.
The screen of the product is reinforced and has two layers of foil and braid.
The shielding factor is about 60 decibels.
The shell material is a PEG dielectric.
There is a PVC outer sheath and the cable diameter is 6.6 millimeters.

Important! Works with all types of TV signals. A meter of this product costs around 17 cents.

Still haven't decided which coaxial cable to choose for your TV? Then we move on with our rating.

SAT 703

The brainchild of the previous manufacturer:

The conductor is made of copper and has a thickness of 1.13 mm.
The screen, again, consists of two layers of material (aluminum + plastic).
The copper-tin braid provides a good shielding factor of 80 decibels.
The shell is the same as that of SAT 50, which makes this option recommended for purchase by those people who are interested in watching satellite television.
The quality of the materials allows installation on the street.

Important! A meter of such a conductor costs about 24 cents.

Are you still interested in the question: antenna cables for TV - how to choose? You will be able to think rationally if you evaluate the quality of the next product.

Even best antenna won't do its job if you're using a TV cable low quality. And combined with its poor installation, problems with proper reception of television signals will certainly arise. As a rule, information about it is included in its specification or printed directly on the outer shell. However, we cannot always verify this data, and sometimes even this information is not always reliable! How can you figure out which TV cable is better? All you need is basic knowledge and a little observation - below we offer 7 practical ways.

A coaxial cable consists of several components that determine its properties and quality. It consists of two conductors, the axes of which are combined, that is, they coincide. This is the principle of coaxiality (alignment). The outer conductor serves as a shield for the inner conductor.

How it works

The standard structure of a coax is as follows: a metal core (usually a copper conductor), a dielectric made of polyethylene or Teflon (rarely), an outer conductor: a braid of intertwined wires (an option is an additional metallized layer, foil and copper braid), PVC sheath.

internal conductor, affects the quality of signal transmission;
dielectric - a layer of plastic;
metallized layer (a combination of copper and polyester or a combination of aluminum and polyester);
metal braid, the denser its weaving, the higher the quality;
outer shell for protection against moisture and radiation, on it you will find the manufacturer's markings.

Where is it used?

Coaxial cable is used for:

signal reception - TV, FM radio;
Signal transmission: from 1.8 MHz to 3 GHz;
for high frequency connections between devices;
in data transmission networks, in measuring instruments.

Which cable is best to use for TV? Definitely high quality. Quality is a parameter that cannot be neglected, especially when it comes to reception digital signal. Here is the relationship: if you have good reception, but an unimportant signal, the transmitted image will be distorted. Conversely, high-quality transmission will not make up for poor reception quality.

Coaxials, as they are often called, are characterized by generally accepted criteria:

resistance (Ohm);
the amount of signal attenuation (losses at 10, 100 and 1000 MHz, indicated in dB per 100 m);
permissible power or maximum operating voltage (kV);
wave propagation coefficient.

Choosing a television cable will also be correct based on the following characteristics:

cable cord diameter (mm);
flexibility;
dielectric material;
material of the outer insulating layer.

The most common coaxial cable for use in apartments is flexible and has a diameter of 6 mm. And this is justified: problems can arise with rigid cables if their installation requires small bending radii.

Large diameter coaxials are designed to transmit more high power. Their black outer shell indicates that they are for outdoor use because they are protected from damaging ultraviolet rays. Cable products with white coating are used indoors as they prevent combustion.

Marking

When you buy a domestic product, there are usually no difficulties with its designation.

RK - radio frequency cable;
75 - conductor resistance 75 Ohm;
4.8 - diameter;
34 - the first digit shows the insulation group, heat resistance category. The second digit is serial number development;
TU - technical manufacturing conditions.

But the labeling of imported cables can be confusing. Meanwhile, here is the definition of Western standards:

DELINK - manufacturer;
SAT-752 - name;
Cu/Cu - material of the central conductor and braid (Cuprum - copper);
1.13 - thickness of the central core;
0.12*64 - thickness and density of the braid;
Cu-foil - full copper;
Coaxial cable - coaxial cable;
75 OHM - conductor resistance 75 Ohm;
ISO 9001-2000 - certificate of conformity.

Choosing quality

So how will you check the cable quality? According to the following seven signs!

Purpose

External insulation not only resists external influences and mechanical damage - what it is made of largely determines the properties of the cable wire.

The most commonly used polyvinyl chloride coating for cable cords. You can choose them for wiring in the apartment. The coating made of light-stabilized polyethylene distinguishes the cords for outdoor use. In addition, outdoor cables have a protective gel-like layer against weather conditions and sun rays. By removing a section of insulation, you can see if there is a gel-like lubricant underneath that protects the inner surface of the cable from moisture.

Outer shell strength

Just try removing the outer layer by hand. If the PVC or PE coating is weak and easily slides off the braid or foil layer, lengthening and stretching, this no longer guarantees sufficient cable strength.

Quality of the shielding layer

The shielding layer is aluminum or copper foil wound onto a dielectric. Its task is to protect the signal passing inside the cable from external electromagnetic waves that can cause interference. It also prevents the signal from leaking out to prevent it from weakening. For both conditions to be met, the foil must be glued to the dielectric layer. This can be easily checked by removing part of the shell and examining the shielding layer. If the foil moves freely along the dielectric layer, this means that it was not glued, which means that during installation, when you need to bend the wire properly, the film will slightly open the dielectric and create an unprotected “gap” through which signals will penetrate.

Braid density

The most common braid is a copper or aluminum mesh made of wire with a diameter of about 0.12 mm. The higher the braid density ( more wires), the higher the electromagnetic density of the cable. This is another barrier to protect the transmitted signal from interference.

At first glance, the density of the weave is difficult to assess. Pay attention to the interweaving of the hairs, at what angle? If they are laid freely, longitudinally, then we are dealing with a thin braid. And vice versa, if they form a dense mesh that covers the entire wire, then the braid coating is dense, “airtight”. The signal will be under reliable protection.

Dielectric check

The dielectric is a polymer layer made mainly of polyisobutylene. It is important that this material is foamed physically. Chemical foaming does not have a long-term effect - after a few years the dielectric will collapse. A fragile dielectric means there is a 100% risk of displacement of the central core and loss of coaxiality. You cannot use such a wire for.

Unfortunately, the nature of such foaming is difficult to analyze without special tools. But is it possible to check whether the dielectric is dense and whether it is well “welded” both to the core and to the foil (screen)? This is of key importance when bending the cable and determines its permissible bend radius.

Coax class

The cable class characterizes the degree of electromagnetic leakage. The higher the class, the greater its density and resistance to external interference. Higher tightness is achieved by choosing the type and number of screens and braids used. Cable wires are distinguished:

two-layer – two layers inside: foil + braid;
three-layer – foil + braid + foil;
four-layer – braid + foil + braid + foil.

Of course than more quantity layers, the greater the electromagnetic density, the higher the class and quality of the cable wiring. To choose the right television cable, you need to see what class we are dealing with. It is enough to “clean” it layer by layer, reaching the dielectric.

Core type and thickness

The type of inner core and its thickness are directly related to the signal attenuation in the cable. Low attenuation cables maintain adequate signal quality throughout the entire length to the receiving device.

Coaxial cores can be made of copper or copper-plated steel. Copper has better conductive properties and reduces resistance electric charges. Therefore, it is more often used in various types cables In turn, the diameter of the wire increases the active conducting surface and reduces the resistance to these charges.

If the core is soft and does not change color after a small scrape or cut, you can be sure that you are dealing with copper wire. However, if the center wire is hard, and after cleaning the top layer of copper, the silver color steel, then you have a copper-plated wire.

Let's sum it up

If the time has come to choose, it is better to choose the cable that fulfills all the mentioned conditions:

the thickness of the inner core exceeds 1 mm;
the shielding film is glued to a physically foamed dielectric;
has triple or quadruple insulation;
braid density of at least 64% (densely spaced wires with a thickness of at least 0.12 mm);
the coating of the outer insulating layer is adapted to the purpose of the cable;
the maximum attenuation at frequencies of 862 MHz and 2150 MHz is respectively lower: 21 dB and 32 dB (parameter for 100 meters of wire).

By choosing an antenna cable according to these rules, you can be sure that you are dealing with a product excellent quality, which can be counted on when performing for both analog and .

Why does the TV show poorly? Some cable TV channels can't be tuned in? How can you tell if your TV cable is wired correctly? Questions of this type are encountered quite often. Ordinary people want to understand them in a simple way. After all, as practice shows, there are still many home-grown TV masters today. And their services (already paid for) are money thrown away. So, let's try to look at a few questions posed, one of which is - which is the best television cable?

TV cable

So let's start with appearance and cable designs for cable television. Unlike power wires, it is always round. In this case, its optimal diameter is 4-8 mm. There are cables of both smaller and larger diameters. We will talk about them separately.

Pay attention to the cut. It consists of several concentric layers.

The central core, located in the middle, is a copper or steel (copper-plated) wire. Core diameter – 0.3-1.1 mm.
A dielectric envelops it on top. This is usually white plastic.
The third layer is the so-called screen, consisting of two layers: foil and braid. Some television cable models may not have a foil layer. But remember that its presence in the design indicates high quality products. Braid is a network of conductors that are woven together crosswise.
And the outer layer is a protective barrier against mechanical stress, made of either polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. The protective outer layer can be either black or white.

Attention! If the TV cable you buy has all these layers, then don't hesitate to buy it. If some layer is missing, then look for the cable in another store.

Does more expensive mean better?

In this section we will answer the question, how to choose a television cable? And let’s immediately make a reservation that in relation to this wire the postulate, the more expensive, the better, will be unlawful. Why?

The question posed must be answered from what exists main characteristic television cable is the quality of signal attenuation related to the frequency of the signal and the length of the wire. So in in this case It would be correct to assume that the lower this indicator, the better. It should be noted that each television channel its attenuation rate due to a certain frequency of the incoming signal. By the way, the unit of measurement for attenuation is dB/100m. That is, complete dependence on frequency and length.

Therefore, before choosing a cable, you must first decide on the television system that will be installed in your home. Why is this so important? The thing is that terrestrial television and satellite television have different frequency ranges. And if you have installed a cable that has a signal attenuation rating that is suitable for terrestrial television, then the signal from the satellite may not pass through. That is, it will pass for sure, but with great interference.

Remember, we talked about the diameter of the television cable. So, you shouldn’t buy a product with a diameter of less than 3.5 mm. This wire can only pass frequencies in the meter range. That is, your TV will only show channels such as ORT, NTV, RTR and others. But you won’t see UHF channels (Domashny, Kultura, STS, TNT, etc.), but satellite signal forget it altogether. Plus, the shielding characteristics of this cable are questionable. And this is also not good. Of course, if you try, you can make a cable with a meter range visible to all channels. To do this, you will have to install an additional head station, through which the decimeter channels are converted. But this will require additional costs. To summarize: the thicker the television cable, the better (due to reduced signal loss). He is the one who is needed.
There is still a RK-75 cable on the market with one shielding layer. This is an old-style domestic product. So it has a very high attenuation rate. You shouldn't buy it.
There is an interesting situation with sales. Even in some specialized stores you come across low-quality television products at high prices. It is perfectly packaged in a beautiful wrapper, it has a certificate and accompanying documents, but the price does not correspond to the technical specifications. The exact same option on the regular market costs several times less. So be careful.

So, let's summarize. First, pay attention to the diameter of the wire. Optimal size 6-7 mm. Secondly, the shielding layer. There should be two of them: the bottom one is foil, the top one is a braid of copper wires treated with tin. Thirdly, choose the manufacturer correctly. Of course, branded brands are preferable. This cable is from Belden, Mediaflex, Commscope and so on.

Attention! If during operation the television cable is subjected to fairly harsh conditions (laying in the ground, air lines on the street), then it is better to purchase a special model with impregnation. This must be indicated in the accompanying documents of the product.

And one more piece of advice that concerns this question: is it possible to lay two cables side by side: power and television? You can, but you will have to purchase a television with a diameter of 10 mm with increased protection against interference.

Installation

AND last question which needs to be discussed in this article - how to connect the cable to the TV? Let's start right away with the recommendations.

The gasket circuit should be located as far as possible from power circuits and powerful electrical appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, iron, microwave, etc.).
You can lay the cable for cable television next to any low-current circuits (telephone, Internet, alarm system).
Try to reduce the number of connections. The best option– one-piece TV cable for the entire apartment.
If you cannot avoid dividing the circuit into sections, then when connecting the two ends of the cable, use factory-made separators and splitters. No twists that will reduce the quality of the incoming signal.
If it is impossible to avoid the intersection of the TV wire with the power circuits, then it is best if this intersection is made at an angle of 90º.
Do not roll the gasket into coils or bend it at an angle greater than 90º.
The section up to the first splitter from the switchboard box should run in a wide channel. You can also include other low-current circuits here.
When connecting the cable in the panel box, you must use only soldering (this is about the question of how to connect correctly). In this case, you should not expose the cable itself too much. The smaller the unscreened area, the better.
The splitter must be installed in easily accessible places. The best option is to put it in a special box.

Additional devices

Typically, there are several devices in a television cable wiring diagram. If an apartment building is being considered, then the first device that receives the signal from the antenna is a splitter. That is, from common antenna The signal enters the apartment through this device. From it you can spread the wiring even across different rooms, it all depends on the number of posts.

You can also install a signal amplifier before the splitter. There is no point in explaining what this device does. Next, the last thing used is the so-called adder. Its purpose is to sum signals from different frequencies into one.

Conclusion on the topic

You can connect the television cable for cable television (digital) with your own hands. There is nothing complicated about this. You need the tools and some knowledge that we discussed in this article. Some wiring skills won't hurt either.