1.Size and Weight: Medium-duty coaxial cables are relatively thinner and lighter. For example, the commonly used RG58 coaxial cable has an outer diameter of around 5mm and is lightweight, making it easier to handle and install in areas with limited space or where cable weight is a concern. In contrast, heavy-duty coaxial cables are typically thicker and heavier. For example, some armored coaxial cables used in large communication base stations or broadcast transmission towers can have an outer diameter of several centimeters and are significantly heavier, requiring mechanical tools for installation.
2.Conductor Material and Structure: Medium-duty coaxial cables usually have thinner copper wires or tinned copper wires as their conductors, twisted together in multiple strands to ensure flexibility and good conductivity. For instance, the inner conductor of RG58 cables is typically made of 7 or 19 small-diameter copper strands. Heavy-duty coaxial cables,
designed to handle higher currents and power, often use thicker solid copper conductors or multiple thicker copper strands twisted together. For example, some heavy-duty coaxial cables used for high-power broadcast transmission have a conductor diameter of several centimeters, reducing resistance and transmission loss.
3.Insulation Layer: The insulation layer in medium-duty coaxial cables is generally thinner, made from materials like polyethylene or PVC, which are suitable for transmitting medium- to low-frequency signals. For example, the insulation thickness of RG58 cables is usually around 1mm. Heavy-duty coaxial cables have thicker insulation layers with higher performance requirements. They typically use materials like cross-linked polyethylene or fluoropolymers that can withstand higher voltages and electric fields, preventing electrical breakdown. For example, heavy-duty coaxial cables used for high-voltage RF transmission may have insulation thicknesses exceeding 5mm.
4.Shielding: Medium-duty coaxial cables often feature single or double-layer shielding, such as copper wire braiding or aluminum foil. For example, RG58 cables usually use a single layer of copper wire braiding with a shielding density around 85%, effectively preventing external electromagnetic interference (EMI) from affecting the signal. Heavy-duty coaxial cables typically employ multi-layer shielding for enhanced protection. This could include additional aluminum foil shielding or steel wire armor. The shielding effectiveness can exceed 90dB, providing better resistance to strong electromagnetic interference and ensuring stable and secure signal transmission.
5.Transmission Performance: Medium-duty coaxial cables are ideal for medium- to low-frequency signal transmission. Within the range of several hundred megahertz, they exhibit relatively low transmission loss and minimal signal distortion. For instance, in cable TV networks, RG58 and other medium-duty coaxial cables are used to transmit TV signals in the range of tens to hundreds of megahertz. Heavy-duty coaxial cables are primarily used for high-frequency, high-power signal transmission. They maintain low transmission loss and excellent signal integrity even at much higher frequencies. For example, in satellite communication and radar systems, heavy-duty coaxial cables can transmit signals at several gigahertz or even higher, meeting the demands of high-speed data transmission and high-power signal delivery.
6.Application Scenarios: Medium-duty coaxial cables are widely used in general communication systems, computer networks, and cable TV networks, such as household cable TV connections and small office network installations. They meet the needs of medium- to short-distance, medium- to low-power signal transmission.
Heavy-duty coaxial cables are used in large-scale communication base stations, broadcast transmission towers, radar systems, satellite communication ground stations, and other locations where signal transmission requirements are extremely high. They can reliably transmit signals over long distances, at high power, and in environments with strong interference, ensuring the proper operation of communication systems.
These differences make heavy-duty and medium-duty coaxial cables each suitable for specific applications. Heavy-duty cables, with their robust load-bearing capacity, are ideal for high-demand environments, while medium-duty cables, with their smaller size and cost-effectiveness, are more suitable for general applications.