Hey Wolf,
Well, it would be nice if the entire world would be pin connectors (as it should be) but unfortunately there is a ton of feed thru's still out there.
I have swept hundreds of miles of feeder (.500) that did have feed thru's. The problems were not as bad as I expected.
The majority of the "feed-thru" related problems found were from incorrectly prepared connections:
1. Loose fittings
2. Missing rubber gaskets inside the connector
3. Butchered or kinked cable at the connector
4. P-3 connector on MC2 cable and visa versa
5. Corrossion from HSG-HSG and passive leak into cable and conx
The standard feed-thru connector (depending on the age) without any bandwidth markings should pass 450Mhz (or 550) with no problem, but double check with the manufacturer. Typically you will see a "1-GHz" stamp on spec'ed connectors. If your connector will not sweep correctly, you will most likely see a reflection or ripple across the spectrum from about, but not limited too 500MHz and up. Every senerio is different depending on the system. You will need to test sweep a feeder with feed-thru's and compare to a pin-conx leg. Any corrosion...replace it.
I would at least keep pin-connectors on amplifier housings if at all possible. Bottom line, if the connector was properly installed and maintained, it should work. It is definately does not have the same superior standards as the PIN, but, unfortunately we gotta deal with them...lol. As long as the main trunk is PIN, the feeder might be able to deal with some "slop" response depending on the overall specifications and services utilized.
Depending on the past preventive maintenance that has been completed on the plant will also give you an indication how and what you will find. Shrink boot and new connector upon repair vs. aluminum foil and a re-used corroded connector.
Return sweep problems were more related to any corrosion or bad faceplate/tap issues, as in normal PIN connections.
Good Luck!!!
Greg Tobin
Re: Feed through fittings,,,
Member #: 7190
Registered: 1996-2001
Posted:
483
Name:
Greg Tobin
Name:
Greg Tobin
Company:
Interactive Broadband Technical Services
Occupation:
HFC Engineer/Consultant
Location:
www.interactive-broadband.com
Personal:
Experience:
~45 years
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