RF Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cable consists of four parts: center conductor, insulation layer, outer conductor (shielding layer), and outer jacket. The material of the center conductor is mainly copper, which can be pure copper or aluminum alloy with copper plating on the surface (Copper Clad Aluminum, CCA). The insulation layer is a non-conductive material located between the center conductor and the outer conductor (shielding layer). Its main function is to maintain a constant distance between the center conductor and the outer conductor, meanwhile determine the characteristic impedance of the cable. Common insulation materials include polyethylene (PE), gas-injected polyethylene (foam PE) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The main function of the outer conductor (shielding layer) is to protect the signal in the center conductor from external electromagnetic interference, and also prevent the cable's own signal leakage from interfering with surrounding equipment. The shielding layer is usually made of metal, such as bare copper, tinned copper, aluminum foil or copper foil. The outer jacket is generally made of PE material, which protects the internal structure from the external environment and also determines the durability and applicable environment of the cable.