How to Wire a Coax Cable to Connectors

Proper installation of connectors is essential before you use coaxial cables.

Coaxial cables must be fitted with connectors for hookup to electronic components. The F-type connector is ubiquitous in home A/V wiring applications. It's possible to buy coaxial cable with F-type connectors pre-installed, but if you're doing a coaxial cable run with a custom length of cable, it may be preferable to install the connectors yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial cable cutter
• Wire stripper
• Crimp tool
• F-type connectors

Instructions

1. Cut your cable to the desired length with a coaxial cable cutter.

2. Insert the end of the cable into a stripping tool's smaller hole opening and place the hole one inch back from the end of the cable. Press the handles and pull the stripping tool off of the cable. This will leave 1 inch of the center wire and insulation intact.

3. Insert the end of the cable into the stripping tool's larger hole, 1/4-inch back from the end of the first cut. Press down the handle and pull the tool off the cable, removing 1/4-inch of the outer jacket and exposing the braid of the cable. Fold the exposed braid back onto the outer cable.

4. Push the F-type connector onto the cable until the hole in the center of the connector is flush with the insulation surrounding the small center wire.

5. Place the crimping tool around the base of the F-type connector and squeeze the handles to crimp the connector firmly onto the cable. Remove the crimping tool and pull firmly on the connector to make sure it's properly seated on the cable.

6. Cut off the end of the center wire so that only about 1/8 of an inch of wire is exposed past the edge of the F-type connector.

References

• Coaxial connector wiring
• "Audio Wiring Guide: How to wire the most popular audio and video connectors;" John Hechtman and Ken Benshish; 2008