A cutaway view of a coaxial cable.
Coaxial cable is any cable that has an inner wire shielded with an outer conductive sheath by a dielectric (non-conductive) material. Here's a look at how to attach your own connectors to cable TV coaxial cable.
EditSteps
Initial Steps
1Determine your cable size. Cable terminology can be confusing. Look on the side of your coaxial wire for the size designation. In most homes, the two most common sizes are RG-6 and RG-59.
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RG stands for "Radio Guide." The numbers of the various versions of RG cable refer to the diameter (59 meaning .059, and 6 meaning .06, etc) and internal characteristics of the cable, including the amount of shielding and the cable's attenuation, which refers to how much signal loss there is per length of cable.
You may also see the term RF used with these cables, which stands for "Radio Frequency."
Most non-industrial coaxial cable is now known as RG-6, although the previous thinner lower-quality standard of RG-59 is still used in some applications and older homes. Commercial installers may use a thicker RG cable, like RG-11(which is only used if the distance from the source tap to your point of termination at the home is greater than 200 feet)
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) come in a variety of qualities. Get the best quality cable you can.
2Choose the right connectors. Most connectors for home video installations are made with F-Style connectors. However, it is possible your system uses N-type connectors.
Be aware that there are several types of F-type RG-6 cable available, primarily screw-on and crimp-style connectors.
Screw-on connectors are easy to use, but are less secure and can leave a small air pocket. Some people believe this may affect your signal quality.
Crimp-style connectors have two parts: a ring (or crimp) and a terminator. They are typically more difficult to install, but can attain the greatest lengths and best connections when used correctly.
Know that to make a connection you will need a male and a female connector of the same type.
Male connectors have the center wire sticking out, while female connectors have a space for the center wire to stick into. Be sure to use the opposite gender to the connector you will be making. Most cables end in male connectors.
Use an SMA (sub-miniature Version A) connector for very small coaxial cable.
Strip The Cable
The first step to attaching your own connector is to prepare the end of the coaxial cable.
1
Cut the cable flush. Cut the cable flush.
2
Trim the outer cover (usually black rubber) back 1/2". Trim the outer cover (usually black rubber) back 1/2".
Be very careful not to cut into the metal braiding directly beneath the outer housing. The braiding may be both "loose" wire and a foil-like metal present in shielded wire.
3Carefully pull back the inner braiding (second channel) outside the outer cover. Check to make sure none of the braided wire gets wrapped around or touches the copper center conductor.
4Trim back the (usually white, but may be clear) dielectric plastic from the inner core cable.
Be absolutely sure not to scratch or nick the center conductor. Any damage to this conductor can severely impact your signal.
5Push the connector down over the cable end so that the copper core of the coaxial cable sticks out.
Be sure the dielectric (aluminum foil) is trimmed so that it does not enter into the terminator of the connector.
6Screw the connector into the end of the cable. The thread will cut into the outer housing and wrap the shielding weave, making a tight fit.
Using A Crimp-Style Connector
This is another method which can be used to connect coaxial cable connectors.
1Place the crimp ring over the cable end.
2Trim the outer cover back about 1/4".
3Trim the shielding, wire wrap and dielectric back to the bare inner wire.
4
Leave about 1/8" of dielectric. Leave about 1/8" of dielectric.
5Place the terminator over the end of the wire so the copper core sticks out through the hole.
6
Push the crimp-style connector down into the cable end so that the tube of the connector goes between the foil and the outer housing. Push the crimp-style connector down into the cable end so that the tube of the connector goes between the foil and the outer housing.
This can be very difficult to do. Try holding the cable end with a pair of pliers, or clamping it in a vice. Try not to twist when pushing down.
7Crimp the ring around the outside of the cable.
8Trim any loose wires.
9Cut the inner core wire flush with the end of the connector.
10Tug on the connector to make sure it is attached.
Coaxial cable is any cable that has an inner wire shielded with an outer conductive sheath by a dielectric (non-conductive) material. Here's a look at how to attach your own connectors to cable TV coaxial cable.
EditSteps
Initial Steps
1Determine your cable size. Cable terminology can be confusing. Look on the side of your coaxial wire for the size designation. In most homes, the two most common sizes are RG-6 and RG-59.
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Cable and Satellite Tools - Distributor of Tools for CATV, Satellite, Home Theater, Security, Telecom
RG stands for "Radio Guide." The numbers of the various versions of RG cable refer to the diameter (59 meaning .059, and 6 meaning .06, etc) and internal characteristics of the cable, including the amount of shielding and the cable's attenuation, which refers to how much signal loss there is per length of cable.
You may also see the term RF used with these cables, which stands for "Radio Frequency."
Most non-industrial coaxial cable is now known as RG-6, although the previous thinner lower-quality standard of RG-59 is still used in some applications and older homes. Commercial installers may use a thicker RG cable, like RG-11(which is only used if the distance from the source tap to your point of termination at the home is greater than 200 feet)
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) come in a variety of qualities. Get the best quality cable you can.
2Choose the right connectors. Most connectors for home video installations are made with F-Style connectors. However, it is possible your system uses N-type connectors.
Be aware that there are several types of F-type RG-6 cable available, primarily screw-on and crimp-style connectors.
Screw-on connectors are easy to use, but are less secure and can leave a small air pocket. Some people believe this may affect your signal quality.
Crimp-style connectors have two parts: a ring (or crimp) and a terminator. They are typically more difficult to install, but can attain the greatest lengths and best connections when used correctly.
Know that to make a connection you will need a male and a female connector of the same type.
Male connectors have the center wire sticking out, while female connectors have a space for the center wire to stick into. Be sure to use the opposite gender to the connector you will be making. Most cables end in male connectors.
Use an SMA (sub-miniature Version A) connector for very small coaxial cable.
Strip The Cable
The first step to attaching your own connector is to prepare the end of the coaxial cable.
1
Cut the cable flush. Cut the cable flush.
2
Trim the outer cover (usually black rubber) back 1/2". Trim the outer cover (usually black rubber) back 1/2".
Be very careful not to cut into the metal braiding directly beneath the outer housing. The braiding may be both "loose" wire and a foil-like metal present in shielded wire.
3Carefully pull back the inner braiding (second channel) outside the outer cover. Check to make sure none of the braided wire gets wrapped around or touches the copper center conductor.
4Trim back the (usually white, but may be clear) dielectric plastic from the inner core cable.
Be absolutely sure not to scratch or nick the center conductor. Any damage to this conductor can severely impact your signal.
5Push the connector down over the cable end so that the copper core of the coaxial cable sticks out.
Be sure the dielectric (aluminum foil) is trimmed so that it does not enter into the terminator of the connector.
6Screw the connector into the end of the cable. The thread will cut into the outer housing and wrap the shielding weave, making a tight fit.
Using A Crimp-Style Connector
This is another method which can be used to connect coaxial cable connectors.
1Place the crimp ring over the cable end.
2Trim the outer cover back about 1/4".
3Trim the shielding, wire wrap and dielectric back to the bare inner wire.
4
Leave about 1/8" of dielectric. Leave about 1/8" of dielectric.
5Place the terminator over the end of the wire so the copper core sticks out through the hole.
6
Push the crimp-style connector down into the cable end so that the tube of the connector goes between the foil and the outer housing. Push the crimp-style connector down into the cable end so that the tube of the connector goes between the foil and the outer housing.
This can be very difficult to do. Try holding the cable end with a pair of pliers, or clamping it in a vice. Try not to twist when pushing down.
7Crimp the ring around the outside of the cable.
8Trim any loose wires.
9Cut the inner core wire flush with the end of the connector.
10Tug on the connector to make sure it is attached.
