Despite the fact that today the Internet is available in almost every home, in many apartments the TV signal is still supplied via cable. Therefore, the question of how to connect the antenna cable to the plug is quite relevant. Improper installation will adversely affect the quality of the received signal, even if you use the most modern and expensive material. How to properly connect the antenna cable to the plug? How to choose a product, so as not to regret the purchase later? What will experts advise? This article will help you find answers to these questions.
Product Introduction
Antenna cable is represented by a multi-layer wire, which has shielding properties, due to which a stable signal transmission is carried out. So TVwill only show with an antenna connected. Especially for this purpose, it was equipped with a special connector for connection, which is mainly called the antenna jack. In the other part of the connection there is space for a plug. The last home craftsman will have to mount on a cable that can be connected to an antenna, satellite dish or TV junction box.
What do you need for work?
Very often, people who are not used to working with their hands do not know how to connect a thin antenna cable to a plug. Judging by the numerous reviews, there is nothing difficult to connect, therefore it is not necessary to resort to the services of specialists. You can deal with this on your own. First of all, you need to get an antenna (coaxial) cable, a knife or a stationery cutter.
About cable design
Before you wonder how to connect the antenna cable to the plug, you should know the structure of the conductive product. The design of the cable is simple. It contains: a central core, copper wire, dense plastic insulation, aluminum foil (which is the second conductive element), external insulation and a braided shield. The task of the latter is to suppress interference, the sources of which can be weather and mechanical influences. On the shelves of specialized stores there is a wide range of products manufactured by domestic and foreign manufacturers. Since the presented products are of very different quality, when choosing, you should take into accountsome nuances, which will be discussed later.
What to look for when buying?
Judging by the reviews, the question of how to connect the antenna cable to the plug is not the only one of interest to beginners. What to pay attention to those who decide to purchase an antenna cable? Experts recommend the following to such a consumer:
- Choose a product in which the outer sheath is marked 75. This indicates that the frequency of waves with a resistance of 75 ohms is in the cable. Under this indicator, all modern TVs and switching equipment are designed. This figure must occur along the entire length of the cable with an interval of 1 m.
- The value of the outer diameter should not exceed 0.6 cm. If, at this stage, a beginner made a mistake due to inexperience, then you should not be upset, as everything is fixable. If the diameter of the internal thread in the plug turned out to be larger than the diameter of the wire, in order for the crimping to be of high quality, you will have to wind an insulating tape on the cable. How many layers of electrical tape are needed for this, each master decides according to the situation. The main thing is to fit the cable to the plug as tightly as possible.
- It is best to purchase a cable with a copper main core and a braided shield. In this case, the buyer may encounter difficulties due to the fact that most manufacturers, in order to save money, equip their cables with steel central conductors or apply copper sputtering on them. For the production of the braid, an alloy of copper is used, and for the shielding, foil.
About the plug connector
According to experts, the normal connection of the antenna cable to the plug will be possible if its connector is type F. This type accepts analog and digital television signals. Judging by numerous consumer reviews, the F-plug is the best: it reproduces a high-quality TV signal and is easy to install, which is appreciated by many home craftsmen. Since plug diameters can vary widely, this must be taken into account. Otherwise, the plug will not match the socket and you will not be able to connect the TV. Judging by the reviews, it is not uncommon for the TV to be mounted close to the wall. In such a situation, use the angled F plug.
Where should I start?
Before you connect the antenna cable to the plug, you need to do the preparatory work. The connection is carried out in two ways: the shielding braid is wrapped, but you can also do without it. Judging by the numerous reviews, the best and most reliable contact is achieved with a wrapped braid. The cable is cut with a knife or cutter. To do this, one and a half centimeters recede from its end. Next, carefully cut the outer insulating layer in a circle. It is important that the braid and aluminum foil remain intact. The cut insulation is removed. As a result, both the braid and the foil should be open. Then they roll back.
In order to improve the strength of the foil, it is wrapped insidepolyethylene. According to experts, during stripping, the foil is often damaged. If the plug is put on a cable with the foil turned away, the contact will be of poor quality. Therefore, some masters bend part of the foil back with a conductive part from above. After that, it is necessary to remove the insulation from the central core. In this case, they also recede from the end of the wire, but by 10 mm. It is important not to damage the cable itself.
How to connect the antenna cable with the plug? Process Description
This procedure is started after stripping the wire. First of all, you need to screw the foil onto the first part of the plug. How to connect the antenna cable to the plug correctly? As experts recommend, it is important to ensure that the central core is exactly in the core of the plug. For work, you will need wire cutters, through which then part of the central wire is removed. This must be done in such a way that it protrudes no more than 0.6 cm beyond the union nut. Then they proceed to screwing the second part of the plug to the stop. After completing these steps, the plug is considered ready for use.
Second way
Some beginners are wondering how to install the plug on the antenna cable without wrapping foil for this? According to experienced craftsmen, it is possible to do this. It is enough just to cut off the top insulating layer and remove the cable sheath. Next, the plug is disassembled. It should be in two halves. The plastic half is first placed on the open section of the cable. The second forkdragging on.
About angle plug
Judging by the reviews, there are times when there is a need to move the TV with the antenna plug already inserted closer to the wall, which is problematic. A special plug with an angled design will help out in such a situation.
You can buy it at the electrical appliance store. To connect this product, the technology described above is applicable. If the owner of the TV does not want to use a plug connection, then soldering will be the best connection method. However, for a high-quality signal, the area to be soldered should be smaller.
In addition, if you need to quickly connect the TV, this will be problematic. In this regard, the plug connection is considered the most convenient.
What mistakes do beginners make?
Not everyone knows that some manufacturers of antenna cables cover the inside of the foil with polyethylene. Cleaning this material is quite difficult, even with a scalpel. If the cable can be stripped, the presence of plastic will become a significant obstacle to good contact with the plug. As a result, the signal will be distorted. This can be prevented by wrapping the unfolded foil back in such a way that it comes out with its conductive side. Often, when crimping, thin braided wires come into contact with the main cable core, as a result of which the quality of the received signal is not at the proper level, butmay even disappear. Often the antenna cable is laid in one plinth along with the electrical wiring. This, according to experts, is unacceptable, since with such installation, the signal transmission will also be of poor quality.
