Impedance: 75 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Specifically designed for high-frequency applications, such as television and video transmission. The 75 Ohm impedance minimizes signal reflections, making it ideal for applications where signal integrity over long distances is crucial. 50 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Typically used in RF applications, including wireless communication and radar systems. The 50 Ohm impedance is optimized for power transmission, allowing for a higher current capacity and lower loss in RF signals.
Applications: 75 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Commonly used in broadcasting, cable television (CATV), satellite communications, CCTV systems, and professional audio/video applications. Their design is focused on transmitting video and audio signals with minimal attenuation and distortion. 50 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Primarily used in telecommunications, networking, and RF applications. They are often found in applications such as antennas, microwave transmission, and equipment that requires higher power handling capabilities.
Signal Loss: 75 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Generally exhibit lower signal loss at higher frequencies, making them more suitable for long-distance video and audio transmission. The lower attenuation allows for clearer signals over extended runs. 50 Ohm Coaxial Cables: While they provide a good balance between signal strength and attenuation, they tend to experience slightly higher losses at the same frequencies compared to 75 Ohm cables. However, they are designed to handle higher power levels.
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR): 75 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Typically achieve better performance in terms of VSWR for video applications, which is essential for maintaining signal integrity and minimizing reflections in broadcast and AV applications. 50 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Designed to maintain lower VSWR in RF applications, making them more suitable for situations where power transfer efficiency is critical, such as in transmitter and receiver systems.
Construction and Design: 75 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Generally have a thicker dielectric insulator and a more tightly wound outer conductor, which contributes to their effective shielding and ability to maintain low signal loss over longer distances. The inner conductor is often made from copper for better conductivity. 50 Ohm Coaxial Cables: Typically have a different construction that may favor flexibility and handling capabilities in addition to RF performance. The outer conductor might be less tightly wound, making these cables easier to handle in certain applications, such as in installations where bending is required.