What Are The Tricks For Installing Coaxial Cables?

As we all know, care still needs to be taken when handling coaxial cable, especially when it is pulled through the conduit. When using cable clamps, disperse the clamping force by increasing the surface area of the cable being clamped, while limiting the amount of clamping force to avoid deformation of the cable cross-section. So, what are the tricks for installing coaxial cables?

As we all know, care still needs to be taken when handling coaxial cable, especially when it is pulled through the conduit. When using cable clamps, disperse the clamping force by increasing the surface area of the cable being clamped, while limiting the amount of clamping force to avoid deformation of the cable cross-section. So, what are the tricks for installing coaxial cables?

What are the tricks for installing coaxial cables?

When installing coaxial cable, it is important to protect the cable's protective jacket to prevent water from getting inside the cable anywhere. First, handle the cables carefully during storage and installation so as not to damage the protective case. If the cover is damaged, it is necessary to quickly pay attention to the damage and ensure that water does not enter the cable, and then use the waterproof patch of the RF connector to repair the limited damage.

It secures the cable once it is connected to the antenna so that the protective cover will not be damaged by actions such as wind or antenna selection. Vertically suspended cables should be supported in such a way that any cable bending action is gradual with a bend radius much larger than the minimum bend radius. The cable clips used should clamp on the shorter cables to spread the pressure and avoid damaging the protective case. If using wire or plastic ties, do not overtighten them to avoid pinching the cover.

An important part of the protective cover is the waterproofing of the RF connector. The coaxial cable braid exposed to air acts as a core and absorbs moisture. To a lesser extent, cables with stranded center conductors or partially hollow center insulation can also absorb moisture. When water molecules or moisture seeps into a coaxial cable, either in the braid or the center conductor, it quickly becomes unusable due to losses. Cables with faded or damaged shields are irreparable and should be thrown away.

What are the tricks for installing coaxial cables: Buried coaxial cables

There are a few reasons why you might choose to bury coax. One is that buried coaxial cables are virtually immune to damage from storms and UV rays, and typically require less maintenance than cables exposed to air. Another possible reason is that the buried coaxial cable has less interaction with the radiation pattern of the antenna, generates less noise interference, and transmits a less common-mode RF signal on the outer surface of the shield. A buried coaxial cable is also aesthetically acceptable to most communities. While any cable can be buried underground, those designed specifically for burial will have a longer lifespan. Direct burial cables have a protective HDPE jacket as it is both non-porous and able to withstand fairly high crush loads. In impregnated direct-buried cables, an additional moisture-resistant polyethylene grease is applied under the protective jacket, which allows the material to leak out, thus "curing" the penetration effect of the small jacket. Whether it's RG-8/U or RG-312/U, both are naturally considered direct burial cables - cable suppliers must specify their direct burial rating. "Buried" or the same label is usually printed on the direct-buried cable protective sleeve.

 Here is some advice on direct buried cables.

 (1) Because the outer protective sleeve is the first line of defense for the cable, care should be taken to avoid damage to it during any steps, so that the quality of the cable can be maintained for a long time.

 (2) There should be no stones, cinders or rubble in the sand or finely crushed soil for burying the cables. If the soil in the trench does not meet the requirements, tamped 4-6 inches of sand in the trench before laying the cable, and tamped another 6-11 inches of sand on top of the cable. Before filling the trench, place an anti-corrosion or partial pressure plank on the sand, this will give it some protection from damage to the cables from digging or driving.

 (3) When laying the cable, a little margin should be left on the cable. Because a tight cable is more prone to damage when the material fills the cable.

 (4) Check the cable when installing it to make sure its protective sleeve is not damaged when stored and dragged over sharp edges.

 (5) It is important that the cables buried underground should be buried below the freezing line to avoid damage to the cables due to the expansion and contraction of soil and water during the freeze-thaw cycle.

When burying coaxial cables, you might consider using plastic conduit or electrical conduit, so that the plastic conduit acts as a mechanical barrier and water penetration is virtually guaranteed - water either leaks directly in or condenses in the air. Be careful when drilling the bottom of all the lowest parts of the pipe. The holes are to allow moisture to escape or to use perforated pipes so that water can drain to the surrounding ground.

Whether the pipe is above or below ground, larger radius bends should be used in place of smaller radius bends. Cables can easily pass through bends with a large radius, and the cables are easily damaged when passing through tight bends. When pulling cables, often using burred metal conduit will strip the cable's protective jacket. Before assembling each part, the edges should be sanded or lubricated.

When choosing the size of the pipe, allow enough extra space - its diameter should be at least 2 times the expected overall diameter of your cable. A diameter of 3-4 inches is recommended, which greatly simplifies its pulling and gives the cable enough room for the connector and splice to pass through the conduit. Make sure there is a "fishing line" or "fishing line" on the end of the pull cable so you can add or replace the cable behind it.

What are the tricks for installing coaxial cables?

That's all there is to know about installing coaxial cables. Of course, coaxial cables are not affected by other adjacent conductors and can operate in metal conduits or attached to the surface of metal structures.