Coax cable types, specifications and data

An overview along with a table of specifications and data for the more commonly available types of coax cable, i.e. RF cable. Some Information listed is by courtesy of; http://www.radio-electronics.com and you will find this a fantastic reference site, take a look!

There is a variety of different types of coax or coaxial cable that are in widespread use. Different types of coax cable or feeder are needed for different purposes and applications and accordingly it is necessary have specifications and data to be able to determine the required type or RF cable easily.

While it would be possible to manufacture an infinite variety of RF cables, standard varieties are specified. There are two basic systems that are used for defining RF cables. One originated in the United Kingdom and its type numbers all start with UR. The other system is American with type numbers commencing with the letters RG.

The RG series was originally used to specify the types of coax cables for military use, and the specification took the form RG (RG from Radio Guide) plus two numbers. In some instances these numbers were followed by the letter U which indicated it was for multiple uses. These types of coax cable were all listed in the MIL-HDBK-216 which is now obsolete. Although full MIL specifications are now officially used for specifying most components for military use, the RG series of RF cables continued to be used because of its widespread acceptance. However it should be noted that the RG specifications are no longer maintained so there is no complete guarantee to the exact specification for the particular type of coax cable.

A summary of data for some of the more commonly used types of coax or coaxial cable is given below. Most of these RF cables are easily available from RF cable stockists.:

Data for attenuation figures are typical figures and measured in dB / 10 metres.
The dimensions are in mm.

Type	Characteristic impedance	Outside diameter	Velocity factor	Atten @ 100 MHz	Atten @ 1000 MHz	Comments
RG5/U	52.5	8.4	0.66	1.0	3.8
RG6A/U	75	8.4	0.66	1.0	3.7
RG9/U	51.0	10.7	0.66	0.66	2.4
RG10A/U	50	12.1	0.66	0.66	2.6
RG11A/U	75	10.3	0.66	0.76	2.6
RG12A/U	75	12.1	0.66	0.76	2.6
RG20A/U	50	30.4	0.66	0.22	1.2
RG22	95	10.7		0.75	1.5
RG23	125	24.0		0.52	2.0
RG24	125	25.5		0.52	2.0
RG34	75	16.0		0.46	1.8
RG58C/U	50	5.0	0.66	1.8	7.6
RG59B/U	75	6.1	0.66	1.2	4.6
RG62A/U	93	6.1	0.84	0.9	2.8
RG63	125	10.3		0.6	2.1
RG79	125	12.1		0.6	2.1
RG108	78	6.0		1.1	3.8
RG111	95	12.1		0.75	2.6
RG114	185	10.3		1.1	3.8
RG119	50	11.8		0.5	1.8
RG120	50	13.3		0.5	1.8
RG122	50	4.1		1.7	5.5
RG213/U	50	10.3	0.66	0.62	2.6	Polythene dielectric
RG214/U	50	10.8	0.66	0.76	2.9	Double screened, silver plated copper wire
RG223/U	50	5.5	0.66	1.58	5.4
UR43	50	5	0.66	1.3	4.46
UR57	75	10.2	0.66	0.63	2.3	Similar to RG11A/U
UR67	50	10.3	0.66	0.66	2.52	Similar to RG213/U
UR74	51	22.1	0.66	0.33	1.4
UR76	51	5	0.66	1.7	7.3	Similar to RG58C/U
UR77	75	22.1	0.66	0.33	1.4
UR79	50	21.7	0.96	0.17	0.6
UR90	75	6.1	0.66	1.2	4.1	Similar to RG59B/U

LOW LOSS CABLE ECOFLEX 15

ECOFLEX 15 A new 1/2 flexible cable, designed for the demands of the RF- and Telecommunications industry with a useable frequency range up to 6 GHz. Its unique construction combines the low loss properties found in non-flexible solid centre conductur hardline cables with the high flexibility of cables manufactured with stranded centre conductors. A solder-free high quality N-connector is available, which takes only a few minutes to install and does not require special tools. A 7/16-connector will follow shortly.

ECOFLEX15 is a new 50 Ohm coaxial cable for use in the frequency range of DC - 6 GHz. It s unique construction combines the low loss properties found in non-flexible solid centre conductor hardline cables with the high flexability of cables manufactured with stranded center conductors.

ECOFLEX^®15 was designed to meet the demands of the RF and Telecommunications industries for a low loss, highly flexible, affordable coaxial cable. An EMI screening immunity of > 90 dB at 1.0 GHz is achieved through the use of double shielding, which consists of overlapped copper foil and an additional copperbraid. The copperfoil has an applied PE coating which insures that EMI immunity is not compromised by bending or flexing the cable.

ECOFLEX15 is the right choice when a low loss, highly flexible microwave rated cable is required. It s economical price makes

ECOFLEX15 the clear leader for today s demanding applications.

A solder-free, high quality N-connector has been specially developed for ECOFLEX 15. Connector installation only takes a few minutes and requires no special tools.