How To Terminate Coaxial Cable: Guide With Steps

Do you want to know how to terminate coaxial cables?

You are in the right place. In this post, we will explain the steps in detail, so you can do it without professional help.

Basic Tools Needed

To terminate a coaxial cable, you will need a few tools. So before starting with the procedure, make sure to arrange the required tools.

Here’s the list of tools you will need:

1. Compression connector
2. Compression/crimping tool
3. Cable cutters
4. Stripper
5. Connector installation tool

Alternatively, you can also get a coaxial termination kit, containing all the mentioned tools.

Steps How To Terminate Coaxial Cable: 10 Steps

Coaxial cable helps transmit a range of signals, including low-quality audio, internet, and cable television. Knowing how to terminate coaxial cables will help you to make your cables for these projects. To help you out, we have detailed the steps below. Follow the instructions as it is and you should be good to go.

1. Start by cutting the end of the coaxial cable using a cutting tool. Make sure that the cut is straight.

Now take the end of the cable and form a circle with your fingers.

2. Use the coaxial stripper to adjust the cable. The good thing is most stripper tools can be used for quad-shielded or dual-shielded cables. It is crucial to adjust the stripper tool properly; otherwise, you might end up disfiguring the cable.

• RG-6 is the most widely used coaxial cable. If you are working with this cable, adjust your stripper according to it. Remember, you cannot strip a quad-shielded cable with a stripper tool that is adjusted for dual-shielded wires. If you try to mess around with the adjustment, it will damage the cable.

3. Now put the cable into the stripper with its end tip peeking out. Use the stripper to brace the cable and rotate it two to three times. Once you stop feeling the resistance, you know that it is done.

Don’t make the mistake of pulling the cable out of the stripper. Unlatch the tool and gently remove the cable.

4. The next step is to pull off the exterior shield of the cable. You will see two segment cuts.

You need to pull the outermost segment and this should expose the conductor wire in the center.

5. Now pull off the other segment to expose the insulating foil of the cable. Hold the edge of the foil and peel it off very gently.

Once that is done, you will see a thin foil layer wrapped around the insulation wire.

6. Pluck the cable jacket to expose all the loose ground wires. You need to fold back these wires against the coax cable in such a way that all the wires will be touching the connector at the time of installation.

Make sure that the white insulation is not blocked by wires.

7. Check if the correct length of the conductor is revealed. The ideal length is 0.156 inches or 3.9 mm.

If the length is not correct, you can cut off the extra conductor wire.

8. Take a pusher tool to push the connector onto the coax cable. Stop only when you see the connector flush with the white insulation.

However, you need to be careful about not bending the bare conductor wire. For a firm connection, you might have to twist the cable a few times.

9. After you are done with the above step, crimp or compress the connector. This process will vary based on the connector type. For instance, some connector requires you to push the end and front tip into each other, and other connectors need to be pressed down on the coax cable end.

Squeeze the crimping or compression tool firmly. The good thing about these tools is that they don’t allow you to over-crimp. But being careless might damage the cable.

10. Once everything is done, double-check the connection for imperfections.

Make sure that there are no loose or stray wires. If you spot any, fix them, otherwise, it might lead to a poor or unstable signal.

That’s all you need to do to terminate a coaxial cable. You might find the steps a little complex the first time. However, if you follow all the steps correctly, it should be easier for you to complete them.

Do I Need a Coaxial Termination Kit?

A coaxial termination kit comes in handy while installing coax cable terminations. These kits consist of tools that are needed for terminating a coax cable. With the help of these kits, you can make customized cables on your own.

If you don’t want to spend additional money for hiring a professional, you should get a coaxial termination kit. It’s a one-time investment, which means you will never have to purchase another tool for the concerned process.

For those who work with coax cables often, having a coaxial termination kit is a must. Just make sure that you get the kit from a reputable brand.

FAQ’s

Conclusion

The process of terminating a coaxial cable is easy provided you know the steps. If you have the right tools, you can easily terminate a coax cable without professional help. Follow the steps mentioned in this post and you should be good to go.