CABL Forum - Re: Question for SAtellite experts

What is the difference between RG6 copper clad steel and RG6 copper?

What is the difference between RG6 copper clad steel and RG6 copper? Before we discuss all the disadvantages and the advantages of copper clad steel conductors versus solid copper center conductors, we

For RG-6 coaxial cable, the main issue for copper is whether the center conductor is solid copper or copper-clad steel. Since an installation of RG6 cable may later need to be moved or switched to another use that requires some power, it's definitely better to use a solid copper center conductor.

Copper-clad is referring to a center conductor that is made from steel, and then the steel gets a very thin coating of copper. Copper-clad has the distinct advantage of greater cable stiffness to withstand insertion forces repeatedly. The cable is less likely to kink or bend when the cables are being pulled around during their installation. With copper clad steel, the signal travels on the surface of the conductor, not in the center of the conductor.

The invention and construction of copper-clad steel coaxial cable came about because of a few key reasons. For one reason, copper clad steel uses a phenomenon named the “skin effect”, which is the tendency of a signal to migrate to the surface of a conductor at a given frequency, and to travel along the surface of the conductor once the surface is reached. Put simply, as the frequency increases, the signal travels to the conductor's skin.. Another key reason is cost reduction factor, because copper costs quite a bit more than steel. It is cheaper to manufacture the conductors using mostly steel and only using a thin coat of copper. The last key reason is that copper does not have as much tensile strength as steel does. This means that even though steel may not be as flexible, it can withstand a higher load than copper can before failure happens.

Nowadays there seems to be a trend toward the solid copper conductor. A solid copper center conductor is just what the name implies it is, a conductor that has a solid copper conductor, or wire, in the center of the conductor, or cable. A solid copper center conductor offers some advantages over a copper-clad steel conductor. The copper center conductors have more flexibility than the copper clad steel conductors, which reduces the hassles and the time needed for installation. RG6 solid copper center conductors also have the advantage of being able to carry a frequency current that is low to enable a remote device, like a camera in the bedroom or nursery. RG6 copper conductors also have better conductance than RG6 copper clad steel conductors do. This is because copper has more conductivity than steel, so a solid copper conductor will obviously have more conductivity than one that is steel as well as copper.

There are quite a few differences between RG6 copper clad steel and RG6 solid copper. The very first difference between the two is the manufacturing materials, because one conductor has steel as well as copper in the conductor and is mostly made of steel, and the other conductor only has copper in the conductor and is 100% copper. The next difference between RG6 copper clad steel and RG6 copper is the way the signal travels along the conductor. The copper clad steel conductor makes use of the “skin effect” and the signal migrates to and travels along the surface of the “skin”. With the RG6 copper center conductor, the signal travels along the middle, or center, of the conductor. Another difference in the two types of conductors is the flexibility of the conductor. RG6 copper clad steel is considerably more flexible than RG6 solid copper is. This is a big difference between these two conductor types. One other difference between these two conductors is the conductance of the coaxial cable. The RG6 solid copper center conductor has considerably more conductance than the RG6 copper clad steel conductor does. This is because copper naturally has more conductivity than steel, so any conductor that has more copper than steel will have more conductivity.

As outlined above, there are several differences between the RG6 solid copper conductor and the RG6 copper clad steel conductor. The conductor that is used should finally be decided based on the applications that the cable will, and may, be used for. If there is a question of needing a cable for multiple purpose uses or applications, now and later, then choose the highest specification cable you may possibly need.

INSTALLATION

CONSTRUCTION / TECH

OFFICE / OTHER

Re: Question for SAtellite experts