Flexible antenna cable. How to choose the right TV cable

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 general idea about the topic that is on this moment we're talking about, 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 a 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 a small rating of 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.
• The single screen allows the use of a conductor for playback and transmission of on-air, 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 everyone known species 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 set. 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.

Installation TV antenna can be done at home independently, without the involvement of expensive specialists. For this procedure you will need a 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 braiding made of copper or tin, a screen made of aluminum or copper wire, and a dense outer shell made of PVC foam polyethylene.

Length of cable

This indicator should be purely individual. Before purchasing, you need to measure the distance from the TV to the proposed 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 follows the following algorithm:

• You need to screw the plugs on both sides of the cable. To do this, you need to make a circular cut at the end of the wire, 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, the remainder extra core cutting down.

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 well 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 wire 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.

Satellite and digital television appeared a long time ago, high-quality television broadcasting in every home is no longer a rarity, but nevertheless, few people know which cable is best for a TV. It is this that ensures the quality of the received signal. If you switched from analogue television on satellite or digital, you may have noticed that often the channels were not picked up at all, the image became blurry, and various sound and visual interference arose. The reason for this is most often an incorrectly selected cable that does not meet the new signal requirements. Therefore, you will have to change the cable.

To carry modern television broadcasting into homes, it is used coaxial tv cable b, however, choosing the right one is not so easy. First of all, it is necessary to determine what requirements are put forward for the cable network, namely:

• type of TV signal received (analogue, digital TV broadcasting);
• number and type of televisions;
• place of use: tv cable in the apartment or in a big house;
• location of the TV signal source (dish, panel or antenna);
• system length.

TV broadcast cable structure

At the moment there are quite a lot of television cable models, however internal organization they have identical:

• the inner center conductor is made from single or stranded wire or copper tube; the conductor material ensures the range of the telesignal and the possibility of deformation;
• the dielectric layer (insulation) is designed to ensure the immobility of the conductors; most often made from various polymers; signal attenuation and characteristic impedance depend on the interlayer material;
• braid - outer conductor; made from foil, aluminum film or metal wire; provides protection from external electromagnetic influences;
• the outer sheath is designed to protect the entire cable structure from various external influences;

Television cable - which one to choose

The modern format of television broadcasting involves the use of a cable with a resistance of more than 75 Ohms. This is a universal requirement for all television cables, but other criteria should be taken into account in each specific case.

Outer shell structure

The cable can be black or white. This depends on the material of the outer shell. Polyvinyl chloride (black) or polyethylene ( White color). Previously, there was an opinion that for external television it was necessary to use a black cable so that it could be clearly visible on a white wall, but now this is not at all important, therefore cables with a protective sheath made of polyethylene are used both for internal and external use. external works. More important is the thickness of the protective shell: the thicker it is, the better. But if the cable is too thick, the bending of the structure will be significantly limited - sometimes this is important, so this also needs to be taken into account.

Characteristics of the external conductor

The outer conductor must have two shielding layers - one layer does not meet the transmission requirements of modern television broadcasting. Previously, simple braided wire was used as a material, but such a cable cannot provide high quality signal satellite or digital television broadcasting. To do this you need to take a cable, main screen which is made of metal foil and which has an additional braid. It is made from an alloy of various metals to reduce possible interference from household appliances.

Characteristics of the central core

The central core is most often made of copper or an alloy of other strong metals, which is necessarily clad with copper to ensure high strength. Experts recommend using cables with a copper core, although there is no evidence that copper transmits signals better than alloys of other metals. However, metal alloys significantly increase the diameter of the cable, which is not noticeable when using copper. For a television cable, the smallest possible diameter is important because it is convenient to lay. For home use, a cable with a core diameter of 3.5 mm is quite suitable. More is possible, but not less.

You can choose an inexpensive cable with a core diameter of less than 3.5 mm, but then you will have to buy special equipment to improve the signal quality, so you need to take the choice of core cross-section very seriously.

Manufacturer

At the moment, the market is crowded with various manufacturers of television cables, since it is very profitable, but not everyone produces a cable that conducts the signal without interference. Before buying a television cable, read reviews about each manufacturer on the Internet, and also consult with sellers.

Length of cable

It is impossible to predict in advance all possible interference when laying the cable, so it is necessary to take it with a reserve. It is best to take a cable twice as long as the expected installation length, since some section of the cable may be damaged and will need to be replaced. But mechanical damage occur rarely, but rearranging furniture is much more common. If the cable does not have a reserve length, then the TV will be chained to one place, and there can be no talk of any rearrangement.

The thickness of the cable itself also depends on the length. The longer the network, the thicker the cable should be so that there are no external influences on it. In addition, you should remember that the antenna cable needs a larger cross-section to prevent interference. Some cable models require certain installation conditions, which is very important to consider if you decide to install television yourself.

Can't be named best tv cable, although one common marketing ploy is the so-called “special digital” cable, which supposedly only accepts digital television broadcasting. Satellite and digital television operates at frequencies from 5 to 3 thousand MHz - it is the frequency that determines whether the cable will receive the signal, and not the “specialty” of the cable itself.

Where to buy television cable in Moscow wholesale

AVS Electronics is a manufacturer itself coaxial television cable, at the same time, a partner and official distributor of famous brands this range of cable products. For example, you can always order in bulk from us and buy television cable SAT 703. There is always a large assortment of RG 6 television cables, which you can buy in bulk at favorable and cheap prices.

More detailed information O technical specifications TV cable, its analogues and availability can be obtained from specialists at AVS Electronics.

We invite you to cooperation!

A necessary attribute of a modern apartment is not only electrical wiring. No less relevant cable network for connecting television equipment. Especially in light of the trend to install this equipment in all rooms of the apartment, so that each family member has the opportunity to watch programs independently of others. To implement this feature, you will first need to select an antenna cable for your TV.

This is not difficult to do. The choice of antenna cables is not as wide as the power ones used for laying electrical wiring. But it still doesn’t hurt to know something about them.

Coaxial cables

The main difference between the cables used for transmission TV signal, from the rest, is their design. Based on the location of the conductive parts, they are classified as coaxial. This means that the cable is symmetrical about the horizontal axis throughout its entire length. And the better this symmetry is observed, the better characteristics cable line.

In the center of the cable there is a current-carrying core covered with an insulating sheath. Monolithic copper core, sometimes made of twisted copper wires. Sometimes the wires are tinned.

In modern antenna cables I use only a monolithic core. The cable is not subject to mechanical deformation in operation; it is usually firmly fixed along the entire route. It is not economically feasible to make it flexible.

The same applies to tinning: such complications are relevant only for laying cable products in rooms with an aggressive environment, forcing copper to intensively oxidize at the joints.

On top of the central core insulation is a shielded sheath. It acts as the second conductor of the line, and current, as is known, flows through at least two wires. The screen is covered with an insulating shell that protects it from influences environment and mechanical damage.

In Soviet-made coaxial cables, the screen was made of thin copper wires woven in a special way. Modern ones most often use thin aluminum foil. The disadvantage of the second method is the ease with which the foil can be torn. To maintain contact in cases of such damage, a thin tinned copper wire is laid parallel to it. It will maintain contact by closing the torn piece of foil. And they tin it so that a galvanic couple does not form between copper and aluminum, leading to oxidation of the metals in contact with each other.

But using foil for the screen shell solves two problems: the cables become thinner, and connecting them is easier. There is no need to unravel the intricate pattern of copper wires, twist, tin or solder. Everything is solved by using standard connectors, splitters or plugs. Although the wicker shell does not prevent this from happening.

Some cables combine the use of a tinned braided screen with aluminum foil underneath.

Features of coaxial cables

Why do we need coaxial cables to transmit television signals? The signals that pass through them are high-frequency - tens and hundreds of megahertz. But this is not the only reason to use such a design. The power and amplitude of the signals are too low - from microvolts to millivolts.

If you run such a signal through ordinary wires or cables, then interference from neighboring power lines will be superimposed on the signal. Moreover, any click of the switch or plug at the moment of connection to the outlet, due to the creation of a small electromagnetic pulse, will cause interference in the cable. The pulse will arrive at the input of the TV receiving device. If its amplitude is too large, semiconductor devices input stage will fail.

Coaxial cable is protected from such interference. The high-frequency signal field is located only inside it, between the central core and the screen. It cannot get out, but it is also more difficult for interference to get inside.

Characteristics of coaxial cables

Of all the characteristics of a coaxial cable that makes it suitable for installing a television network, you only need to know the characteristic impedance - 75 Ohms. More precisely, if a cable is sold in a store as a television cable, then its characteristic impedance is equal to exactly this value. Which is easy to check either by the inscriptions on the shell, or, having found out its type, look up the parameter in a reference book or on the Internet.

Why 75 Ohm? We are accustomed to the fact that the resistance of a cable line varies depending on its length, and its high value leads to negative consequences. And here - any television cable, regardless of the thickness of the central core or screen material, has the same resistance.

Attenuation (decrease in signal magnitude in terms of voltage and power) in any cable that carries a high-frequency signal depends on the frequency of that signal. To be able to calculate this attenuation using Ohm's law, we introduced its characteristic - wave impedance.

For a coaxial cable, the characteristic impedance depends on the geometric dimensions of the core and screen and the insulation material between them.

But this is not the determining factor in choosing a cable with a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms for connecting television receivers. To keep attenuation in the line to a minimum, the output of the signal source and the input of the receiver must also have the same resistance as the line. If this is not done, then, in addition to reducing the level of the useful signal at the receiver input, multiple reflections of the signal from the ends of the line will be observed. This will appear on the TV screen as a multi-contour image.

Historically, at the beginning of the development of television, it was optimal to manufacture cables with a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms. And now there is no turning back.

There is another factor for choosing a television cable. You should not choose it with a thickness of less than 3.5 mm. Here, the correctly selected wave impedance will not help - the attenuation will be large.

Connector selection

For connection to television receivers coaxial cables in ancient times, plugs were used, to which the cores were connected only by soldering. Now the process has become more convenient, a soldering iron is no longer needed.

There are two types of modern plugs. In the first, the central core is connected to the corresponding terminal of the connector with a miniature screw. The screen is crimped using the connector grip. To connect end antenna wire cut with a ladder so that when connecting the central core, the screen is exactly under the clamp, and a layer of insulation remains between them. Not a single wire from the screen should touch the central core.

The second type of plug is much more convenient. The central core is plugged into the central terminal or used instead of the central terminal of the plug; the screen is bent back and, when assembling the plug, is tightly pressed into it. Such a connector is called an F-connector, and the plug is called a “transition socket F - TV NB plug.”

If you need to connect the two ends of the cable to each other, you should also not rush and pick up a soldering iron. For this purpose, there are connectors - plugs F. Cables are connected to them according to the same principle as described above. And the plugs are connected to each other using special connectors that have threads on both sides.

F-connector connector, colloquially called a “barrel”

Plugs F – universal method connections. Some household equipment contains connectors in advance for connecting the antenna cable using them.

TV signal splitters

To connect multiple TVs to one cable, you must use splitters. For what? And all because of the same input and output impedances of signal sources and receivers. All of them must be consistent with each other and with the cables used to transmit signals. This role is performed by the splitter.

The splitter is a passive element. This means that part of the signal is lost. With high-quality splitters, the amount of attenuation introduced into the transmission path is small. You can expect anything from cheap crafts.

Even in this century digital technologies and the total penetration of the Internet into all spheres of life, many apartments receive a television signal via cable. An incorrect attitude towards its installation can have a very negative impact on the quality of the received signal, even if you choose the most modern and expensive material. In this article we will tell you how to connect a television cable different ways, we will give recommendations to beginners.

Features of cable routing

The television cable “comes” into the apartment from the floor panel and is routed through the television receivers available in the house. To correctly install a TV cable throughout your apartment, you should follow some recommendations.

The main elements of a TV cable in stripped and completely exposed form

To avoid signal interference, it is recommended to place the cable away from the electrical wiring. Telephone wire or Internet cable do not interfere with the normal passage of the TV signal, and therefore the general installation of these communications in one cable channel is allowed. If it is impossible to avoid placing an electrical cable together with a television cable, then you should purchase a TV cable with a core diameter of over 1 mm with a double protective screen.

Throughout the apartment, the cable should be pulled in one piece, avoiding any connections or twists that affect the quality of the picture. Crossing cables with electrical networks is not recommended, but if this cannot be avoided, then the intersection should be arranged strictly at an angle of 90°. Read also the article: → "".

Routing cables across rooms to provide shielding and High Quality contacts and is performed using factory-made splitters. Self-made devices are unlikely to be able to provide acceptable signal quality. You should also avoid connecting a television cable with sharp bends or in a coil - the quality of the picture on the screen may suffer greatly from this.

It is better to lay the section of the line going from the floor box to the apartment in a widened cable channel, taking into account possible inclusion alarm or additional telephone line. To facilitate maintenance, splitters should be placed in areas with easy access.

TV cable models may vary, but general principle connecting them is unchanged

How to choose the right cable

Even the most modern television receiver and cable plugs are unable to produce an acceptable image with insufficient high quality cable. High-frequency TV signal currents flow somewhat differently than home electrical currents. The higher the frequency of the current, the closer to the edges of the main wire it flows, therefore, in cables used in the military or space industry, in order to avoid a critical reduction in the quality of the television signal, they are treated with a silver or gold compound.

Selecting a cable to connect

When selecting material, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• on outer shell all designations must be present;
• the resistance value of the product should be 75 Ohms, because all television receivers are designed for this value;
• the outer diameter must be more than or less than 6 mm;
• The main core and shielding braid must be made of copper.

In the latter case, manufacturers often sin by trying to reduce the cost of products as much as possible by making the central core from steel and simply covering it with copper plating, making braiding from copper alloys, and shielding from foil. Read also the article: → "".

Marking of television cables

Let's look at the marking using the example of the Chinese RG 6U television cable, the most common in our country.

Example of cable marking Russian production indicating the main characteristics and technical conditions

How to connect a cable to a plug

You can connect the plug to the cable yourself, especially since the TV signal voltage is too low to cause any harm to health. Even an unplugged cable can be cut without fear of electric shock. A short-circuit between the braid and the main conductor also does not cause any harm. For different sizes Cables come in a variety of plugs, so when choosing a cable, you need to pay attention to its diameter. The most commonly used are F-plugs.

First you need to cut the cable, which can be done in two ways:

• with braid bend;
• without inversion.

The most reliable method is considered to be cutting with a twist, but if it is not possible to install the plug, then the second method is used. The cable is cut with a scalpel or a sharp knife: the outer sheath is carefully cut to length without damaging the screen. Once the cut is complete, the insulation is folded back and removed.

Step-by-step diagram of crimping a television cable with bending the braid and releasing the main core by 3-5 mm

The copper braid and shielding foil are wrapped. In general, three types of shielding can be used in TV cables:

• aluminium foil;
• copper braid;
• aluminum foil with copper braid.

Aluminum foil is often coated with polyethylene on the inside for strengthening purposes. It is unlikely that it will be possible to clean the film without damaging the foil, so to improve the contact of the screw-on plug with the foil, the bent part of it is slightly wrapped back so that the uninsulated piece of foil faces outward. If the cable diameter is too small, the end entering the plug is wrapped with electrical tape.

The insulation from the main core is removed in a manner familiar to many, similar to removing insulation from electrical wires, without damaging the core itself. Then the plug is screwed onto the foil, and the excess main core is bitten off with wire cutters or cut off with a knife, leaving a length of approximately 3 mm on the outside.

Connecting the cable to the antenna

Connecting the TV cable to the antenna should be carried out in compliance with the rules for switching electrical appliances, guided by the diagrams available in the technical data sheet of the TV. To complete the work you will need:

• splitter;
• antenna cable;
• antenna amplifier;
• wire cutters;
• sharpened knife or scalpel;
• soldering iron

The antenna amplifier is used when the weak signal. The splitter is useful for connecting several TVs to one antenna at once. Read also the article: → "".

The cable is connected directly to the TV antenna using screw terminals

The cable, splitter and amplifier must be installed next to the separated cable. In an individual house the best place The attic is where all the equipment is located. The end of the cable coming from the antenna is connected to the amplifier through a special terminal. From the amplifier the signal goes to a splitter, to which the television receivers in the house are connected. When connected to satellite dish You will need to use a receiver to which a cable is connected via an antenna connector. Preparing the cable is similar to cutting it before connecting it to the plug.

Tip #1. Before connecting the TV, you must carefully check all the connections of the switching devices and the reliability of the plugs in the appropriate sockets. If the image is noisy or the signal is too weak, you should adjust the antenna amplifier.

Connecting to a splitter

Nowadays, no one can be surprised by the presence of a TV in every room. A small problem is supplying a TV signal to all receivers, since in most cases there is only one signal source. The solution to this problem is to use antenna splitter. The picture quality when connecting TV receivers through a splitter may deteriorate somewhat, but the connection process itself is not difficult and is completed in just a few minutes.

The connection diagram can be presented step by step as follows:

• choosing a location for the splitter and securing it there;
• removing plugs from used connectors;
• cutting and connecting TV cable.

Connecting the cable in the panel

When laying or connecting the cable, it is not allowed to twist it into knots and coils, bends or sharp bends, which sharply worsen the quality of the received television signal.

Tip No. 2: The section of cable that goes first from the panel to the apartment should be placed in a wide cable channel.

In the case when the cable connection in a staircase box must be performed by soldering, the length of unshielded sections should be minimized, since their presence and length directly affects the quality of the signal and image. After soldering is completed, it is recommended to cover each contact under a layer of varnish - it can prevent the occurrence of pockets of corrosion damage and the ingress of dust particles between the contacts. Dust adhering between the contacts causes signal deterioration when air humidity increases: the image reproduced by an analog TV will become very snowy, and when transmitted digital signal the image will simply disintegrate into pixels with an unpleasant squeaking sound.

Connecting a television cable in the entrance panel is not difficult

FAQ

Question No. 1. Is the F-plug suitable for digital TV signal transmission, or only for analogue?

Despite the fact that this type of plug has been used for quite a long time, both its connector and characteristics allow you to fully enjoy not only analog (by the way, broadcasting will cease forever in the near future) television, but also digital and satellite television signals.

Question No. 2. What to do and what to do if the diameter of the cable is slightly smaller than the diameter of the internal thread of the plug? After all, in this case, reliable compression will not work.

Question No. 3. When installing the plug into the corresponding socket, the TV cannot be placed close to the wall. What is the way out of this situation?

In this case, you should use an angled plug, which can be purchased at almost any store that sells electrical household appliances.

Question No. 4. In old Soviet-made TVs, the cable was connected to the plug by soldering. How to connect to it modern type cable?

If the signal quality deteriorates or the cable needs to be replaced due to bad contact, the plug and cable can be connected, as before, by soldering.

Question No. 5. How can you connect several TVs to an antenna or cable television network at once?

To connect several television receivers, you can use a special device - a splitter, also called a “divider” or “splitter”.

Using splitters to connect several TVs to one TV cable

Typical connection errors

• Not everyone knows that some manufacturers coat the inside of the cable with polyethylene, which cannot be cleaned even with a scalpel. Plastic, even with the best cable stripping, will prevent the creation quality contact with plug. To avoid signal distortion, it is recommended to wrap part of the turned-off foil in reverse side so that the conductive side is on the outside.
• A typical mistake is getting the thinnest braided wires onto main vein cable when crimping it. This may result in poor quality or intermittent signal dropouts. A common mistake when installing and laying cables is placing them in the same baseboard as the electrical wiring. This cannot be done, otherwise the interference created can significantly spoil the mood when watching TV shows.