Pure Copper RG-59

Black Copper RG-59-Power 2 core

 

RG59 cable has been around for a long time. This cable used to be what most people used for their cable TV connection and is very commonly installed in older homes and commercial buildings. However, many modern signal requirements have made this cable less popular in the last few years. RG 59 has a smaller conductor than RG 6, which means that it can’t achieve the same signal quality as RG 6. The way its shielding is designed also means that it doesn’t keep Gigahertz level signals inside the conductor very well. This is why RG 59 probably isn’t a good choice for your TV or internet connection.

The braided shielding in RG 59 was designed around (relatively) long waveforms of megahertz interference. That makes it good for lower frequency signals (anything under about 50 MHz). It is commonly used for composite or component video signals (often in the mini-coax variety). That also makes it a good choice for a closed circuit television (CCTV) video surveillance system. You can even make your installation easier by getting what’s called “Siamese coaxial cable.” This cable consists of a RG 59 cable merged together with a 2C power cable. By using this type of cable, you can run the power and video for your security cameras simultaneously, effectively cutting your install time in half.

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Sheilding

Shielding prevents ‘noise’ from interfering with your signal, and therefore preserves your signal quality. Coaxial cables usually come with two types of shielding: braid and foil. Most coaxial cables include both (although some RG 59 cables still use single shielding). In general, the more shielding you have, the better your cable will perform, especially in longer runs, but there are differences in what the shields protect. Foil shielding typically involves an aluminum or mylar foil bonded to the dielectric, underneath a metal braid. Foil is very effective at protecting against high frequency electromagnetic interference (EMF). Braided shielding is a collection of many small wire strands braided around the outside of dielectric (and/or foil). The braid is effective against lower-frequency interference. RG 59 cable uses a copper braid and RG 6 can use copper or an aluminum braid.

There are “quad shielded” cables that have an extra layer of foil and braid shielding and can offer better protection. However, newer coaxial cables can use a 95% braid to perform better without the extra bulk and weight of quad shielded cables.