- RG6 coaxial cable is commonly used with cable and TV connections.Coaxial cable image by lefebvre_jonathan from Fotolia.com
There are several types of RG6 coaxial cable, but all are made of the same basic components. Coaxial cables contain two conductors laid along a common axis, and all those designated RG6 operate at a capacity of 70 to 75 ohms. However, the type of RG6 cable used is determined by the application in which it is installed. Outdoor applications require more shielding than indoor applications, and applications that cover long distances have specific shielding requirements to ensure signal quality. - Braided coaxial cable, named for the braided wire that makes up the outer conductor of the cable, is a popular type of RG6 cable because of its flexibility. The weave of the braid is what makes the cable the flexible enough to bend around corners. This type of cable is popular in any application where the center conductor must be shielded. However, the weave of the braided wire around the conductor can create small gaps in the shield if the cable is bent around a tight angle. These gaps may result in small leaks of shortwave radiation.
- RG6 coaxial cable that has four layers of shielding around the center conductor is called quad shield cable. This type of RG6 cable is less flexible and a bit more difficult to install than braided RG6 cable. However, the four layers of shielding prevent any shortwave radiation leaks. Quad shield cables are commonly used for outdoor applications that extend over long distances. The quad shielding helps to weather proof the cable, as well as provide a higher quality signal over the distance.
- RG6 cable that is double shielded offers a higher level of signal quality than that of a braided cable but is more flexible than quad shielded cable. Double shielded RG6 coaxial cable is commonly used to connect televisions to satellite dishes. The double shielding helps to prevent satellite signal interference from outside noise or atmospheric conditions. The center of these cables usually contains copper braiding that promotes smooth signal transfer.
