Cables – they are everywhere we use them in one or other electrical appliances but what is special about Coax cables. An easy paradigm to understand them would be human body - just like arteries carry blood to different parts of our body cables are used to carry electricity needed to run different electric appliances. Coax cables are one among the many different types of cables available in the market. Though mainly used in computers they are also used in video and radio electronics. Its core objective is to transform electricity between the main power source and the disparate parts of the appliances.
How do you identify coax cables? Generally all cables consist of inner and outer layers, as you strip the outer layer in these cables you will notice that the inner layer consists of copper wire wrapped in white insulator which again has a copper screen layered over it. Number of copper wires in the inner layer can vary depending on its capacity; more wires would mean that the cable will be able to carry more electricity at a much faster speed.
White insulator is generally made of solid polyethylene mainly because it is less expensive and easily available. Copper screen consisting of braided copper wires is layered over the insulator for added flexibility. The outer layer consists of black plastic; it is an essential element of a cable as it traps the electricity inside the cable, so you do not get a shock when you touch the cable.
Though they have been traditionally used to carry electricity they are also made to carry radio signals as the inner copper wiring and the copper screen run on the same geometrical axis. It would be worth noting that it is because of this particular feature that these cables are called coaxial (having a common axis) cables. Outside magnetic forces can easily interrupt or terminate radio signals. However the coaxial nature of coax cables and the plastic cables which create a perfect vacuum inside do not allow the signals to escape and hence they are used for transmitting radio signals.
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