Installing Coaxial Cable Advice Tips
Read these 5 Installing Coaxial Cable Advice Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Broad Band tips and hundreds of other topics.
Different Types of Coaxial Cable Connectors
More installing coaxial cable advice:
Cable coaxial installing is fairly simple if you remember the basic steps:
1) Install coaxial cable connector to the cable TV and cable modem cable connectors.
2) Install cable adapter (also called a splitter) to split the signals between the cable TV and cable Internet.
3) OR install 3-foot coaxial cable to go from cable outlet to splitter and 25-foor coaxial cable to go from splitter to cable modem
4) Use nail-in cable clips to secure cables to the wall
Common Cable Coaxial Installing Error
Installing coaxial cable advice: The most common cable coaxial installing error happens when you install coaxial cable connector. Crimp-on connectors, the preferred standard cable connectors for coaxial cable installation, are for stranded (twisted) coaxial cable.
Examine the cable connectors closely and you will see a row of “teeth” on the underside of the exposed connector pins. These teeth pierce the cable insulation to make electrical contact with the copper wire. Using a crimp-on connector designed for a solid cable on a stranded cable, and vice versa, causes an unreliable connection. If you have terminated the cable connection incorrectly, the connector will become separated from the cable. Uninstall the connectors from the cable ends and reinstall the crimp-on connector on another coaxial cable, stranded or solid depending on which type of connector you have.
It's important to use the correct tools for coaxial cable installation. One recommended tool is the Thomas & Betts Snap ‘n Seal ® Tool that creates a more secure bond between the cable connectors and the cable. Thomas & Betts also manufactures a Snap ‘n Seal ® male connector that protects drops from harsh environments such as cable connections in winter climates.
Different Types of Coaxial Cable Connectors
The most common type of connector used in coaxial cable installation is the Bayone-Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector. Different types of adapters are available for BNC cable connectors, including:
• T-connector,
• barrel connector
• terminator
When you install coaxial cable connector, always use the BNC connectors that crimp, rather than screw, onto the coaxial cable. Cable coaxial installing goes more smoothly with the right coaxial cable connector.
Cutting Coaxial Cables
When trimming the coax center conductor to 3/16” length for proper coaxial cable installation into dual crimp coaxial cable connectors, use the same care as with cutting other types of wire or with other cutting tools. Cable coaxial installing shouldn't result in a hand injury. Always safely store your coax cable cutters.
Remember to double-check your trimming, otherwise you'll have difficulty when you install your dual crimp coaxial cable connectors.
Always use the best coaxial cable cutters. You can find good quality coaxial cable cutters at your local electronics store
Detecting Coaxial Cable Wiring Faults and Installation Mistakes
You might not know from a visual inspection that you've made mistakes in your cable coaxial installing, or that your coaxial cable wiring is faulty. You might have used a poor grade of coaxial cable wire in your installation.
You can invest in a coaxial RF cable tester, an inexpensive gadget (around $50) that can test a wide range of coax cables and identify wiring faults by LED lights. A coaxial RF cable tester can test up to 4 different cables at one end. While it can't detect problems in cable connectors or help you correctly install coaxial cable connector, it can avert trouble. Before you start your coaxial cable installation, buy a coaxial cable RF tester.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Sheri Ann Richerson |
