Articles and whitepapers

A Tiny Metal Cable Connector Can Change Everything for Professional RF and AV Installations (4/9/2006)

By Tim Root, ICM

Ask any professional installer and they will tell you that their single most important job requirement is to do the installation properly, in the shortest amount of time possible, with no call backs. After all, call backs are costly, and one of the main reasons an installer is called back is for poor signal quality due to a connector failure. The solution is to get the connection right to begin with, and this starts with a quality connector using 360-degree radial compression.

Can a simple advancement in cable connector technology change how we watch TV? If you are installing AV systems, satellite television or RF distribution systems, you may already know the answer. The application of advanced 360-degree compression technology can make a big difference to the quality of a broadcast signal and can greatly improve the installation process.

Whatever happened to the crimp?

The old 'crimp' method of attaching a connector to a cable has seen better days. It is still used by some installers - and many times incorrectly, leading to a bad signal. When installers perform a crimp connection, they use a tool that shapes the metal around the cable into a hexagon pattern. If done improperly, a crimp connection can easily damage the cable, leading to ingress (external signal sources leaking onto the cable and connector), egress (internal signals leaking out from the connector), reflection (signals bouncing off a poor connection and travelling along the cable, causing interference to the wanted signal) and moisture migration (the capillary action of a cable to draw moisture up into the jacket, causing signal loss), all of which can result in a poor signal.

The difference between a hex and a radial connector

The crimp method of connection simply leaves a lot of room for installer error. There is huge potential for a bad crimp, which can deform the cable dielectric and ultimately distort the signal travelling along the centre conductor. Professional installers know how critical it is to keep the dielectric in its original, circular form to maintain signal quality. A bad crimp is a major cause of damage to the dielectric and centre conductor, leading to expensive and preventable revisits.

Making the leap to 360-degree compression

In the 1990's, advancements were made in connector technology with the development of 360-degree radial compression (still referred to as a crimp by many seasoned installers). Simply stated, with the use of compression tools with a shaping 'die', a connector is 'compressed' with the equal force around the entire neck of the connector. This results in a solid 360 degree, circular compression around the entire circumference of the cable, which increases its pullout strength (in some cases compression connectors can withstand more than 80 pounds of pullout force), reduces ingress or egress, prevents moisture migration and maintains the integrity of the dielectric, jacket and centre conductor. All of these lead to improved signal impedance and the best signal possible from a simple cable connection.

Radial connector features

Can 360-degree compression be used on any size of cable?

Cable connectors using 360-degree radial compression can be manufactured to fit all cable sizes, from small gauge, mini coax to CT100 quality coax and even speaker cable. Professional installers use 360-degree compression connectors for all types of wiring, including home theatre component and satellite/cable television wiring. Even security professionals are now using compression connectors in place of the old crimp connections on outdoor camera and security installations because of reduced moisture migration and superior pullout resistance.

Companies that manufacture high-quality connectors will also manufacture a complete range of compatible tools for compression connectors. ICM Corporation for example, develops its range of F-Conn connectors and Cable Pro installation tools as complete systems, and these are available as both starter kits and individual bags. We manufacture radial compression and cable strip tools specifically for F-Conn's F series, commercial and gold connector product lines, and one of our newest products, the patented DB 360 Compression Connector System, uses a unique connector design and compatible compression tool to create a solid 'double bubble' connection - ideal for high volume contract installers and security professionals who work with exposed cables and wiring.

ICM Corp 90-degree F, F, BNC, TV female, TV Male, RCA, Mini-Coax RCA, Gold Series F, RCA and BNC connectors

Summary

360-degree compression beats out the old crimp connections time after time. True 360-degree compression is the ideal choice for ease of use and installation, a rock solid connection with the cable and most importantly, improved signal quality.

Tim Root is the VP Sales and Marketing for ICM Corporation, manufacturer of integrated cable solutions for residential use, available in the UK through In Touch Technologies.

www.intouchtech.co.uk