1. Check the Insulation's Smoothness
A standard coaxial cable has a perfectly round cross-section, with the outer conductor and aluminum foil attached to the outer surface of the insulation. The more perfectly rounded the insulation's outer surface, the smaller the gap between the aluminum foil and the outer surface. Less rounded the insulation, the larger the gap. Practice has shown that smaller gaps improve cable performance. Furthermore, large gaps allow air to easily intrude into the shield, shortening the cable's lifespan.
2. Measuring the Consistency of the Coaxial Cable's Insulation
Diameter fluctuations in the insulation of a coaxial cable primarily affect the cable's echo coefficient. This inspection involves cutting out a section of the insulation and carefully checking the outer diameter at various points with a micrometer to ensure consistency. 3. Measuring the Coaxial Cable Braid
The braided mesh of coaxial cable plays a crucial role in the shielding performance of the coaxial cable. It also serves as the power return line in centralized cable television lines. Therefore, when testing the quality of coaxial cable, it is crucial to inspect the mesh for tightness and smoothness. To do this, cut open the outer sheath of the coaxial cable, cut a small section of the braided mesh, and verify the number of braids. If the number matches the specified value, the cable is considered acceptable. Additionally, use a micrometer to measure the individual braided mesh strands. For similar prices, the thicker the wire, the better the quality.
4. Checking the Quality of the Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil plays a crucial role in shielding coaxial cable, preventing external open-circuit signal interference and cable television signal leakage. Therefore, the quality of the aluminum foil should be inspected for new coaxial cables. First, cut open the sheath and inspect the braided cable and aluminum foil to ensure they maintain a good gloss. Next, take a section of cable and tightly wind it around a small metal spindle. Straighten it and twist it in opposite directions several times. Then, cut open the cable sheath to inspect the aluminum foil for cracks. Alternatively, cut a small section of aluminum foil and repeatedly rub and stretch it in your hands. If it remains firm and resilient after repeated rubbing and stretching, it's considered acceptable. Otherwise, it's defective.
5. Check the tightness of the outer sheath
High-quality coaxial cables have tightly wrapped outer sheaths. This minimizes gaps within the shield, prevents air from entering and causing oxidation, and prevents relative sliding of the shield, which can cause performance fluctuations. However, overly tight wrapping can make stripping difficult and increase installation complexity. To check, take a 1-meter length of cable and remove the sheath at the end. The sheath should be just enough to prevent the core from being pulled out.
6. Inspect the shape of the cable coils
The shape of the cable coils is not only an aesthetic issue; it's also a quality issue. Cable coils must be smooth, with each cable aligned on the same concentric plane and in parallel, circular contact with the other cables. This reduces stress on the cables and prevents deformation and damage during stacking. Therefore, this is crucial when inspecting and verifying cable quality.
SYV solid polyethylene insulation and PVC sheathed coaxial RF cable
SEYV solid polyethylene insulation and PVC sheathed symmetrical RF cable
SWY stabilized polyethylene insulation and light- and heat-resistant polyethylene sheathed coaxial RF cable
SEWY stabilized polyethylene insulation and light- and heat-resistant polyethylene sheathed symmetrical RF cable
