Despite the fact that today there is Internet access in almost every house, in many apartments the television signal is, as before, supplied via cable. Therefore, the question of how to connect the antenna cable to the plug is quite relevant. Incorrect installation will adversely affect the quality of the received signal, even if you use the most modern and expensive material. How to connect the antenna cable to the plug? How to choose a product so you don’t regret your purchase? What will experts advise? Find the answers to these questions will help this article.
Getting to know the product
The antenna cable is represented by a multilayer wire, which has inherent shielding properties, due to which stable signal transmission is carried out. Thus, the TV will only show with the antenna connected. Especially for this purpose, it was equipped with a special connector for connecting, which is mainly called an antenna socket. In another part of the connection, there is space for the plug. The last home craftsman will have to mount it on a cable, which 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 the plug. Judging by the numerous reviews, there is nothing complicated in connecting, therefore it is not necessary to resort to the services of specialists. You can cope with this on your own. First of all, you need to acquire an antenna (coaxial) cable, knife or stationery cutter.
About cable design
Before you are interested in how to connect the antenna cable to the plug, you should know the device of the conductive product. The cable design is simple. It contains: a central core, a copper wire, a dense plastic insulation, aluminum foil (is the second conductive element), an external insulation and a shielding braid. 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 account some 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 newcomer of interest. What to pay attention to those who decided to purchase an antenna cable? Specialists recommend the following to such a consumer:
- Choose a product in which the outer sheath with the designation 75. This indicates that the cable has a frequency of waves with a resistance of 75 Ohms. All modern TVs and switching equipment have been developed for this indicator. This figure should 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, the beginner, by inexperience, made a mistake, then you should not be upset, since everything is fixable. If in the plug the diameter of the internal thread turned out to be larger than the diameter of the wire, so that the crimping is of high quality, it is necessary 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 that the cable to the plug is fitted as tightly as possible.
- It is best to purchase a cable with copper main conductor and shielding braid. In this case, the buyer may encounter difficulties for the reason that most manufacturers equip their cables with steel core cores or use copper sputtering to save their cables. Copper alloy is used for braiding, and foil is used for shielding.
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 receives analog and digital television signals. Judging by numerous consumer reviews, the F-plug is the best: it reproduces a high-quality television signal and is easy to install, which is appreciated by many home craftsmen. Since the diameters of the plugs can have a variety of sizes, this should be taken into account. Otherwise, the plug will not match the connector and it will not work to connect the TV. Judging by the reviews, there are cases when the TV is mounted close to the wall. In this situation, use an angled F-plug.
Where to start?
Before connecting the antenna cable to the plug, you need to carry out preparatory work. The connection is carried out in two ways: the shielding braid is wrapped, and you can also do without it. Judging by numerous reviews, the best and most reliable contact is achieved precisely with a wrapped braid. Cut the cable with a knife or cutter. To do this, they retreat one and a half centimeters from its end. Next, the outer insulating layer is carefully cut in a circle. It is important that the braid and aluminum foil remain intact. Cut insulation is removed. As a result, both the braid and the foil should be open. Then they turn back.
In order to improve the strength of the foil, it is wrapped with polyethylene inside. According to experts, during stripping, the foil is often damaged. If the plug is inserted on the cable with the foil turned off, the contact will be of poor quality. Therefore, some masters bend part of the foil back to the 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 spoil the cable itself.
How to connect the antenna cable to the plug? Process description
This procedure is started after stripping the wire. The first step is 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 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 so that it protrudes no more than 0.6 cm behind the union nut. Then they proceed to screw on 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 interested in how to install the plug on the antenna cable without wrapping the foil for this? According to experienced craftsmen, this is possible. Simply cut off the upper insulating layer and remove the cable sheath. Next, the plug is disassembled. It should consist of two halves. The first step is to put a plastic half on the open cable section. The second one is tightened.
About the corner 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 angular design will help out in a similar situation.
You can buy it at an electrical appliance store. The technology described above is applicable for connecting this product. If the owner of the TV does not want to use a plug-in connection, then the best way to connect will be soldering. However, for a good signal, the soldered area should be smaller.
In addition, if necessary, quickly connect the TV to perform 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. Stripping 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 high-quality contact with the plug. As a result, the signal will be distorted. This can be prevented if the turned-off foil is wrapped back so that it exits with its conductive side. Often during 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 up to the mark, but may even disappear. Often, the antenna cable is laid in one plinth along with the wiring. This, according to experts, is unacceptable, since with such an installation, signal transmission will also be of poor quality.