RF signals can be transferred from the antennas to the receivers, the amplifiers, distributors, and even television sockets. The use of coaxial sockets and the transference of RF signals is common for both DTT and satellites.
The key to a right installation is by choosing the right coaxial socket. This is why today we will be looking into some of the most important factors when choosing a coaxial socket that is suitable for an application.
1. The Manufacturing Material
The quality of a coaxial socket is closely tied to the material used in its production. The inner conductive substance that makes up the coaxial socket’s core (also known as live) is distinguished from the braided wire mesh that surrounds it.
Some of the most common high-quality materials used in manufacturing coaxial sockets include: -
- Copper (Cu)
- Tinned Copper (CuSn)
- Copper-plated Steel (CCS)
- Copper Aluminum (CCA)
- Aluminum (Al)
Therefore, you should inquire about the manufacturing material when you are picking a coaxial socket for your installation.
2. The Price
Another crucial factor to consider when choosing your coaxial socket is the cost. While coaxial sockets made of lower quality are seen as an economic option, it is often better to opt for coaxial sockets made from higher quality materials.
Coaxial sockets are cost-efficient and taken as a worthwhile investment in the long run. They are often used for modest installations with a few metres of cable and when the cable's attenuation does not have a significant impact. These coaxial sockets perform admirably in these situations and achieve their goal.
3. The Signal Loss of Coaxial Socket
There are coaxial sockets that give out very low signal loss, but they are often higher in cost. This is because coaxial sockets are made of 100% pure copper and have excellent shielding. The screening of your coaxial socket is a crucial necessity to prevent any signal loss, which is why the coating mesh of your coaxial socket must be in good condition.
Next, you should check if the coaxial socket you are choosing has a very low attenuation and is suitable for medium, big, and extremely large installations. For instance, if you are utilizing the coaxial socket cables in a larger neighborhood community, it is better to opt for a larger coaxial socket installation.
Signal losses for coaxial sockets are 800 MHz, they can range from 0.12dB to 0.23dB, with an average of 0.16dB to 0.19dB in most coaxial sockets.
4. The Thickness of Coaxial Socket
When it comes to the thickness of sockets, the coaxial sockets generally range from 5mm at the thinnest to half an inch at the thickest. A large percentage of coaxial sockets have a thickness of 6.8mm on average.
For long cable runs, it is better to opt for thicker coaxial sockets, which give greater resistance. Whereas thinner coaxial sockets are utilized in DTT installations or to feed these cables through tight tubes where a wider cable connector would not fit.
5. Inflammability of the Coaxial Socket
Another crucial factor you should consider when choosing a coaxial socket is the flammability of your coaxial socket. A non-flammable coaxial socket is the type of socket that is unlikely to burn and prevents the fire from spreading in the middle of use.
Ideally, it is better to opt for halogen-free coaxial sockets when installing coaxial sockets for your application. Therefore, you should check if your coaxial socket manufacturer provides inflammable sockets in advance.
Conclusion
Overall, it is important to consider these important factors when you are choosing a coaxial socket for installation. When you choose and install the wrong coaxial socket, it will lead to constant malfunction.
If you are looking for a coaxial socket supplier, Test Tooling Solutions Group is one of the leading coaxial sockets manufacturers worldwide. There are wide selections of testing tools that are of high quality, cost efficient, and could definitely fit your needs.
