Do Coax Cables Go Bad: Common Reasons Why Coax Cables Go Bad

If you are new to the world of the internet, phone, and electric management, you probably ask yourself a question. The question is “do coax cables go bad?” Ask any electrician and they will tell you that coax cables go bad. In this article, you will learn many things regarding coax cables, from common coax cable damages to prevention techniques. 

The Four Types Of Damage That Causes Coax Cables To Go Bad

There are four possible reasons to blame for why your coax cable has gone bad. 

1.1Heat damage 

The melting points of coax cables are 150 degrees F. These low melting points mean that a coax cable will go bad when it is near a heat source for a long time. This is because the plastic on the coax cable will melt and the components will shift out of place. 

1.2 Water damage

Also, coax cables can go bad due to water damage. Like many electrical-based objects, coax cables are not functional when they are subject to water. Water can affect the electrical wiring of a coax cable.

1.3 Physical damage

  Likewise, coax cables can go bad from physical damage. The outer surface of a coax cable is delicate. Since it is delicate, a coax cable can go bad when you throw them around without a care. You need to keep coax cables in a straight position. Even the slightest bend in a coax cable can break its inner components. To sum up, you should never bend or step on a coax cable or else it will go bad.

1.4 Connector damage 

Adding on, coax cables can go bad from conductor damage. Coax cables have a connector on both ends. Connectors transfer radio waves carrying information from one source to another. So, if you break either connector on the coax cable, the coax cable is bad. However, you can replace the connectors on the coax cable and if you choose to do this then the coax cable can still be good. 

However, What Is The Main Reason That Causes A Coax Cable To Go Bad?

Remember, coax cables are delicate. You need to keep your coax cable in a straight position. By repeatedly negatively deranging your coax cable, its components will shift around and break down. Specifically, the tube that encases the coax cable and all of its wiring might move or break. After this, the wiring in the coax cable will become brittle and break.

How To Tell If Your Coax Cable Has Gone Bad

One way that you can check if your coax cables go bad is using an electrical multimeter. An electrical multimeter can measure the abilities of multiple pieces of electronic equipment using many different calculations.

First off, you can use your electronic multimeter to do a resistance check on your coax cable. In this check, the electronic multimeter administers a voltage test of the coax cable’s shield and cable components. A resistance test will give you an answer in hectometers, or hms.

Secondly, you can use your electronic multimeter to do a capacitance check. In this check, the electronic multimeter will administer a capacity check of the coax cable’s shell and conductor. A capacitance check will tell you calculations in picofarads, of pf.

Lastly, you can use your electronic multimeter to do an inductance check. In this check, the electronic multimeter will administer a capacity check of the coax cable’s shield and cable. An inductance check will discuss solutions in nanohenry, or nh and in Ohm.

Signs To Check If Your Coax Cable Goes Bad

• You can see the wiring inside the coax cable.

• The wiring in the coax cable breaks down. 
• The plastic tubing, also referred to as the rubber shield, of the coax cable breaks down. You might be able to see earlier signs of the rubber shield of a coax cable start to go bad. You might be able to predict this when you see the rubber shield on your coax cable start to lose its color or become thinner. 
• The connectors on the ends of the coax cable have rust, chips, or are some of its missing components. 
•  Often, you will see green color, indicating that corrosion has occurred on the coax cable’s connectors. 
• The connectors are weak. If you gently twist the connectors on your coax cable and they feel loose, then they are weak.

  One of the earliest detections to see if your coax cable goes bad is to see if they were bad before you use them. Many different companies today make coax cables. However, not all coax cables are high quality. Do the above methods of inspection first and be sure not to buy a weak coax cable. 

How To Maintain Your Coax Cable

As you have read above, it’s easy for a coax cable to go bad. To ensure that your coax cable can be used for a long time there are two things that you can do. To start, make sure that you install a coax cable correctly. Secondly, you should avoid unnecessary moving your coax cable once it has been installed. 

Conclusion

-One of the earliest detections to see if your coax cable has gone bad is to see if they were bad before you use them. Many different companies today make coax cables. However, not all coax cables are made of high quality. Be sure not to buy a weak coax cable by doing the above methods of inspection first.