This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Coaxial Cables (RF) category on DigiKey.com
Coaxial cable products consist of two or more conductors of circular cross section, the center points of which are coincident in the finished product. They are differentiated from shielded cables having one internal conductor by the degree of care used in manufacturing; products considered coaxial cables are manufactured with greater attention paid to maintaining consistent conductor geometries, insulation thickness, and insulation dielectric properties along the length of the cable, in order to minimize discontinuities in cable characteristics along its length that would adversely affect its utility for carrying high frequency signals.
SelectionCharacteristics
Style: Describes the physical configuration of the cable, and/or the connection type on either end of the cable.
1st Connector: Indicates the style and configuration of the first connector used on the cable assembly.
1st Contact Gender: Indicates the contact configuration of the first connector in the cable, either male, female, both, or non-gendered.
1st Connector Mounting Type: Indicates how the first connector in the cable physically attaches to the overall system.
1st Connector Mounting Feature: Indicates how the first connector is attached.
2nd Connector: Indicates the style and configuration of the second connector used on the cable assembly.
2nd Contact Gender: Indicates the contact configuration of the second connector in the cable, either male, female, both, or non-gendered.
2nd Connector Mounting Type: Indicates how the second connector in the cable physically attaches to the overall system.
2nd Connector Mounting Feature: Indicates how the second connector is attached.
Length: The length of the cable assembly, this length may or may not include the connectors. Please consult the individual datasheets.
Cable Type: Indicates the type of cable material the cable is designed to conform to, in terms of standard designations or manufacturer model number.
Cable Impedance: Identifies the effective resistance of the cable to alternating current. It is comprised of resistance and reactance. It is measured in Ohm’s and uses the metric system for values.
Connector Impedance: Identifies the effective resistance of the connector to alternating current. It is comprised of resistance and reactance. It is measured in Ohm’s and uses the metric system for values.
Overall Impedance: Identifies the effective resistance of the cable assembly to alternating current. It is comprised of resistance and reactance. It is measured in Ohm’s and uses the metric system for values.
Frequency - Max: This represents the maximum frequency to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this frequency may cause erratic performance, or damage the device and other system components.
Color: The dominant color of the cable.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as armored, shielded, or explosion proof.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Ingress Protection: IP (Ingress Protection) ratings such as (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) define how likely water and dirt will get into the system. The first number represents dirt and solid contaminants while the second represents water and liquids.
IP Ratings
| Solids | Liquids | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashed from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect operation of equipment 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | CAB.011 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 931-1098-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Taoglas Limited |
| DESCRIPTION | Cable Assembly Coaxial U.FL (UMCC), IPEX MHF1 to SMA 1.13mm OD Coaxial Cable 3.740" (95.00mm) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 115101-19-12.00 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | ACX1789-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Amphenol RF |
| DESCRIPTION | Cable Assembly Coaxial BNC to BNC RG-58 12.00" (304.80mm) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | F6-6B |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 290-1082-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | TPI (Test Products Int) |
| DESCRIPTION | Cable Assembly Coaxial F-Type to F-Type RG-6 72.0" (1.8m) 6.0’ |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | 095-820-198-036 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 115-095-820-198-036-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Amphenol RF |
| DESCRIPTION | Cable Assembly Coaxial SMA to Fakra III LMR 195 36.00" (914.40mm) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Blogs
Selecting the Right Transmission Line Impedance
Confirming Coaxial Connector Compatibility
TechForum
Common Coaxial Connectors Explained
Coaxial and Twinaxial Suffixes