Splicing coaxial cable today is almost child’s work. With all the required tools available at your nearest hardware store, one trip can help you repair that rip in your coax cable and save you all the money you would spend on getting a new one!A coax cable can be easily spliced, and we are here to walk you through it today. There are some things you should know before you begin splicing coaxial cable:
A. What coax cable are you using? (the most common ones for home use are RG6 and RG59)
B. Do you want to use connectors? (It’s totally okay if you don’t)
C. Will you be lengthening/shortening the coax cable?
Once you have the answers to these questions, it’s time to assemble the coax splice kit! Here is what you need to successfully perform a splicing:
A. Coax cable stripper
B. Coax compression connectors (if you are planning to use connectors, if not, skip this)
C. Coax compression tool (again, this is required only if you use connectors)
D. Additional coax cable (if you are planning to extend the length)
E. Barrel connector or splice adapter
F. A knife and a soldering iron (for those who don’t want to use connectors for splicing)
Now that you have all the components ready, it’s time to start splicing coaxial cable. Here we will cover steps for both scenarios: how to splice when using connectors and how to splice when not using connectors.
How to splice coax cable using connectors
Step 1: Use the coax cable stripper to strip your cable
The stripper can be used for different types of cables, but make sure the one you are getting is compatible with your coax cable.Put in one of the terminated ends into the stripper, and ensure that the end of the cable meets the guide marked on the stripper tool. This will ensure equal lengths of the coax cable when being spliced.After the stripping process, you will be able to see the insulation of your coax cable and the wire mesh that covers it. A small part of the copper cable will also be protruding out at the tip.You don’t need the wire mesh anymore so fold the wires back into the outside casing. Remember not to leave any stray wires as they will severely interfere with the signal quality.
Step 2: Put the coax compression connectors onto the coax cable.
Put the coax cable compression connector on the insulated part of the coax cable without damaging the copper wire that is protruding at the tip. The copper wire should still be protruding out of the connector.Repeat the same with the other end of the coax cable.
Step 3: Use the coax compression tool
It works with a variety of coax cables. All you have to do is insert the coax cable (with the compression connector) and press hard until the connector crimps to the wire.Repeat the same with the other end of the coax cable as well.
Step 4: Use the barrel connector
Insert each cable into the barrel connector such that the protruding copper wire goes into the female connection ports present on both sides. Make the collar of the cable connector tight onto the barrel connector to complete splicing.How to splice coaxial cable without connectors
If you want to repair your splice without any commercial equipment, or if you can’t get them at the moment, this part of the article is for you. All you need to splice a coax cable is a sharp knife and a soldering iron! Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Use the knife to strip off the rubber shield of the coax cable
Strip off the rubber shield until a couple of inches. Push the wire mesh as far back (away from the severed ends) as it will go.
Step 2: Cut a little bit of the insulator at the tips to expose the copper wire
Doing this will allow the wire to be overlapped when it is connected.
Step 3: Solder the copper wires together
You can cover the solder with some electric tape as well for further insulation.
Step 4: Pull back the wire mesh towards the tip from both sides
Step 5: Solder the wire mesh to each other
Step 6: Cover up the entire soldered joint with electrical tape for better conductivity.
The electrical tape will also make the whole thing waterproof.
So there you have it! Our ultimate guide to splicing coaxial cable, with and without using connectors. Now that you have read it get splicing!
If you want to get multiple connections from a single coax cable resource, then you can take help of a top-rated cable splitter which does this effortlessly.