What is RG59 Cable and What is it Used For?

  What is it?

  RG-59 is an extremely common cable type. More than likely everyone who reads this has used it many times, whether you realize what it is or not. RG-59 is a type of coaxial cable (often called coax cable). It is used for many types of video and RF signal transmissions.

  RG-59 is a single conductor wire with a copper braid shield that is intended to be connected to a ground connection to keep the shield from radiating the electrical signal. The single center conductor is surrounded by a dielectric insulator to prevent power loss over the length of the run.

  What is it used for?

  If you’ve ever had cable TV service, or a VCR that used a single cable connection, you almost certainly used RG-59 cable to make the connection. This type of cable is also frequently used to go from the TV to a TV antenna. There are other similar cable types that can be used instead, but RG-59 is the most common.

  RG-59 cable is also very frequently used with security cameras as the video cable connecting the camera to the connected video system. This is a very effective cable for security cameras because RG-59 is capable of transmitting this form of video over long distance runs of cable.

  The RG-59 cable is most commonly terminated with either an F-Type or a BNC type connector. F-Type is generally used with TV connections like connecting to your cable TV system, or connecting to a TV antenna. BNC connectors are used when using the cable for security cameras or some other types of video transmission. The connector does not affect the cable’s ability to transmit the signal, it only affects how it connects to the equipment.

  Where do I get it?

  RG-59 cable can be found in lots of places that sell bulk cable for installations. You can generally buy it in bulk from those locations. If you only need a shorter run to go to a TV or similar device you can find a shorter cable at most electronics stores that sell cables.

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