With the multitude of cables that we utilize for our electronics, appliances, and more, it may be hard to understand what each type is. Coaxial cables, specifically, are an electrical cable used by many companies to provide services we rely on such as video, voice communications, and internet data. In this blog, we will discuss what coaxial cables are, and how to tell the difference between various types.
The structure of coaxial cables often consists of a conductive copper wire that is encapsulated in an insulation layer, and then further surrounded by a conducting shield. The shield is very important, and sets coaxial cables apart from standard cables, as it prevents leakage of the signal, and ensures that outside fields cannot interfere or pollute the signal. Coaxial cables may have standard or reversed polarity, and ensuring that the electrical connectors are of the same polarity is important. A standard polarity plug cannot be used with a reverse polarity jack.
In regards to SMA coaxial cables, the difference between male/female and polarity can be discerned through both the threading and the presence of a pin or a socket. For male plugs, a standard polarity connector will feature a pin and internal threading on the inside of the shell. The reverse polarity male plug will also have internal threading on the shell, but the difference is that it contains a socket that is designed for mating with a female pin. This pattern is the same for the female jacks. A standard polarity female jack has external threading on its shell, as well as a socket for the male pin. The reverse polarity then features external threading, but has a pin to mate with the male plug socket.
This may cause confusion in some, though it creates a way to tell apart a standard and reverse polarity cable, ensuring that the buyer does not purchase the wrong cable for use. With SMA cables, the standard polarity connectors are used for cellular services and gateways. The reverse polarity cables serve use for modems and WiFi systems. The benefits of coaxial cables as compared to fiber optics are that they are easy to install and very durable. While larger infrastructures may find use in fiber optics, smaller applications will still benefit from the relatively low price and ease of installation that coaxial cables offer.
At ASAP-Logistic Solutions, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we can help you find coaxial connectors you need, new or obsolete