How to Tell Which Coax Cable Is For Internet

Coax cables are mostly used by different cable operators, internet service providers as well as telephone companies. The cables are used to convey videos, voice communication and internet data to different users. They are extensively used within homes.

A coaxial cable is a very unique cable that works well in sending radio frequencies and data without any additional electrical intrusion, such as static. These cables are mostly connected to different home appliances such as your internet router, your radio and even your Television set. The Coaxial cables used to carry signals for your internet connection operate at a much higher frequency than the traditional analogue videos. Every application makes use of a unique type of coax cables; therefore identifying the internet cable may prove to be confusing. However, if you know what you are looking for it is actually straightforward.

Every coax cable is mostly marked with an “RG” designation. This letters are an abbreviation of the term, “Radio Guide”. This is then followed by certain digits forming a cipher code that will identify the whether it is TV connection, radio connection or an internet connection. The RG-6, RG-8 and the RG-58 coax cables are commonly used for internet connections.

Now that we have identified the marking that should appear on your internet cable, let us breakdown the method that you can use to identify this cable.

Check the Cable for Printed Markings – If your cable is dusty, you can wipe it down using a damp cloth. The outer sleeve of the coaxial cable is often printed with a marking that includes letters and digits. Most cables have this code appearing next to the connector at the far end of the coaxial cable. If you cannot see the sleeve or the markings, it is advisable that you shine a light on your sleeve and this will help you easily see the code better.

Use the Markings to Identify the Different Coaxial Cables – All coaxial cables are marked with the letters “RG” that stand for “Radio Guide.” Cables marked RG-6, RG-11 or RG-59 are commonly used for different video applications such as your TV set. Cables marked RG-8X are mostly used for radio connections and the RG-8 and the RG-58 cables are used for Ethernet and internet connections. At this point, you can connect each coaxial cable to the necessary general appliance that it is used for.

Features of the Internet Coaxial Cable

The Design – This coax cable has a very well defined round thick design. This is because of the insulation layer that is on the interior side of the cable. The size of this cable is not the same as the other types of cable. This shielded design works well as the centre conductor can quickly transmit data while being safeguarded from any external interference or damage. The centre conductor is a wire made of copper. Data travels through this wire. To ensure that the cable remains protected from electromagnetic interference, there is a plastic dielectric insulator that circles the copper wire. The inner layers are safeguarded using an external plastic coating.

The Function – Internet coaxial cables function by transmitting the data from the centre conductor. The additional layers of shielding prevent any case of signal loss and this also reduces any case of electromagnetic interference (EMI). With this shielding, it also means that you can effectively carry GHz level signals. The first layer is known as the dielectric layer. This layer forms a distance between the external layer and the core conductor. It also provides a level of insulation. The next layers are collectively known as the shield. These layers prevent any kind of radio transmission and electrical impulses from seeping into your cable.

The Speed – The transmission speed is 10Mbps (megabits per second). These cables provide you with a transmission capacity that is 80 times more than pair cables.

Conclusion

To connect to the internet, you should ensure that you have identified the specific cable that your internet service provider will use to send. This could be the RG-6, RG-8 or the RG-58 coaxial cable. Inspect the area near the internet connection and see if the coax cable is plugged into it. The cable that is connected to your TV set or computer is not a coax cable, the coax cable should be connected to your modem.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you have to own a coax cable to be able to connect to the internet?

If you own cable internet, then yes it is mandatory that you use a coaxial cable to connect to the internet. Your ISP should provide you with a cable as well as a modem. You can also purchase a cable at a very affordable price on Amazon.

2. How far can an internet coax cable run?

A coax cable can run to 500 meters.