RG-6/U is a common type of coaxial cable used in a wide variety of residential and commercial applications. An RG-6/U coaxial cable has a characteristic impedance of 75 ohms. The term, RG-6, is generic and is applied to a wide variety of cable designs, which differ from one another in shielding characteristics, center conductor composition, dielectric type and jacket type. RG was originally a unit indicator for bulk radio frequency (RF) cable in the U.S. military's Joint Electronics Type Designation System. The suffix /U means for general utility use. The number was assigned sequentially. The RG unit indicator is no longer part of the JETDS system (MIL-STD-196E) and cable sold today under the RG-6 label is unlikely to meet military specifications. In practice, the term RG-6 is generally used to refer to coaxial cables with an 18 AWG (1.024 mm) center conductor and 75 ohm characteristic impedance.
Video RG-6
Applications
The most commonly recognized variety of 75 ohm coaxial cable is cable television (CATV) distribution coax, used to route cable television signals to and within homes. CATV distribution coax typically has a copper-clad steel (CCS) center conductor and a combination aluminum foil/aluminum braid shield, typically with low coverage (about 60%). RG-6 type cables are also used in professional video applications, carrying either base band analog video signals or serial digital interface (SDI) signals; in these applications, the center conductor is ordinarily solid copper, the shielding is much heavier (typically aluminum foil, and 95% copper braid), and tolerances are more tightly controlled, to improve impedance stability.
RG-6-style cables typically have connectors at each end.
Maps RG-6
Types
RG-6-style cables are available in three different types designed for various applications. Plain or house wire is designed for indoor or external house wiring. "Flooded" cable is infused with water blocking gel for use in underground conduit or direct burial. Messenger or aerial may contain some waterproofing but is distinguished by the addition of a steel messenger wire along its length to carry the tension involved in an aerial drop from a utility pole. Plenum wire comes with a PTFE outer jacket designed for use in ventilation ducts to meet fire codes.
Attenuation/signal loss
Cables attenuate a signal in direct proportion to length. Attenuation increases with frequency due to skin effect.
References
External links
- COAX History
- What Does "RG-6" Mean?
Source of article : Wikipedia