RG-58

RG-58/U is a type of coaxial cable often used for low-power signal and RF connections. The cable has a characteristic impedance of either 50 or 52 Ω. "RG" was originally a unit indicator for bulk RF cable in the U.S. military's Joint Electronics Type Designation System. There are several versions covering the differences in core material (solid or braided wire) and shield (70% to 95% coverage).

The outside diameter of RG-58 is around 0.2 inches (5 mm). RG-58 weighs around 0.025 lbs/ft (37 g/m), exhibits approximately 25 pF/ft (82 pF/m) capacitance and can tolerate a maximum of 300 V potential (1800 W).[1] Plain RG-58 cable has a solid center conductor. The RG-58A/U features a flexible 7 or 19 strand center conductor.

Most two-way radio communication systems, such as marine, CB radio, amateur, police, fire, WLAN antennas etc., are designed to work with a 50 Ω cable.

RG-58 cable is often used as a generic carrier of signals in laboratories, combined with BNC connectors that are common on test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes.

RG-58 in versions RG-58A/U or RG-58C/U was once widely used in "thin" Ethernet (10BASE2), where it provides a maximum segment length of 185 meters. However, it has been almost completely replaced by twisted pair cabling such as Cat 5, Cat 6 and similar cable in data networking applications.

RG-58 cable can be used for moderately high frequencies. Its signal attenuation depends on the frequency, e.g. from 3.3dB/100feet at 50 MHz to 21.5dB/100 feet at 1 GHz.[2]

References

  1. ↑ RG Coaxial and Triaxial Reference Guide
  2. ↑ Coaxial Cable Loss and Dynamics by Benton County ARES/RACES

See also