How to Compare Coaxial Cable Specifications

Inspect your coaxial cables.

Although most coaxial cables look the same, there are slight variations with the audio/video connection cable. These slight differences can protect the cable from static charges, improve the signal quality and help prevent the signal from becoming disconnected. Information is found under the coaxial cable specifications, often listed on the packaging of the cable.

Instructions

1. Look for the "Capacitance" of the coaxial cable. This indicates the likelihood of the cable's holding its electrical signal. The higher the number, the better for this reading. It typically varies from 12 to 30.8.

2. Check out how the cable is shielded. Typically, it is going to be "braided" with a wire and rubber coating, but it can have a double braid. This provides a stronger protection and prevents you from receiving an electrical shock.

3. Inspect the cable packaging for the DB, or decibel. This is the audio frequency the cable is cable of transmitting. The higher the decibel, the greater the frequency the cable can transmit.

References

• RF Cafe: Coaxial Cable Specifications