characteristics of coaxial cable

[Damian4187]

Can someone please tell me what is the best way to investigate the characteristics of a piece of coaxial cable?

 

[wayne440]

(1) Look for any markings, and consult the maker's literature.

(2) Call someone who has appropriate test equipment and the requisite experience to properly use same.

If this is a homework question, seek help elsewhere.
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(otherwise please accept my apology and continue reading) The "right" answer depends on the application in most cases. If you can give specifics of the application, I will try to help. I have lots of coax cable experience.

 

[dpc]

What are you trying to determine?

"The more the universe seems comprehensible, the more it also seems pointless." -- Steven Weinberg

 

[sibeen]

Look at the specification of the cable. You'll find lots of interesting information.

Characteristic impedance = sqrt(L/C) in ohms.

Propagation velocity.

Attenuation

Return loss


etc, etc

What are you looking for?

 

[pwreng4]

You can also measure these properties with a network analyzer, if you don't have the mfrs specs. Typically, this is done by an RF engineer. (Network analyzer in the RF field is not similar to the network analyzer in the IT field.)