What are RG12 Coaxial Cables?

RG12 Coaxial Cables are a type of coaxial cable commonly used for high-frequency signal transmission in telecommunications and networking applications. They are designed to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals over longer distances while ensuring minimal signal attenuation. These cables are therefore ideal for long-haul communication links and other wireless infrastructure applications where low loss and high performance is required.

RG-12/U

The RG-12/U is a 75-ohm coaxial cable with an overall diameter of 0.463 inches and has a voltage rating of up to 4000 Vrms. It has an internal tinned copper conductor with 7-stranding construction (carrying the electrical signal), which is enclosed by an insulation layer typically made of solid low-density Polyethylene (PE). The insulation layer is then completely enclosed by 2 Bare Copper Braid Shields that form the outer conductor and also provides shielding against external electromagnetic interference (EMI). The resulting structure is covered with an additional layer called armor made from Aluminum braid. This armor offers better mechanical protection to the cable, thereby making it more suitable for direct burial applications than ordinary cables. Finally, the structure is covered with an outermost layer – called a jacket – made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). The jacket protects the cable core from mechanical, moisture, and chemical issues.

The RG-12/U cable exhibits approximate capacitance of 20.5 to 21 pF/ft and can have signal attenuation of 5.7 dB/100 ft at 400 MHz (signal attenuation of the cable depends on the frequency). This cable has an inner conductor diameter of 0.0477 inches (1.21 mm), an insulation layer measuring 0.285 inches (7.24 mm) in diameter, and a velocity propagation of 67 %. It operates over a temperature range from -40˚C to + 80°C.

The RG-12/U cable is ideal for data transmission, broadcast, telecommunication, and a variety of instrumentation & control applications. This cable is often used in direct burial applications.  

Key Specifications of RG-12/U Coaxial Cables

RG-12A/U

RG-12A/U Cable Structure 

The RG-12A/U is a 75-ohm coaxial cable with an overall diameter of 0.463 inches and has a voltage rating of up to 5000 Vrms. It has an inner tinned copper conductor with 7-stranding construction (carrying the electrical signal), which is enclosed by an insulation layer typically made of solid low-density Polyethylene (PE). The insulation layer is then enclosed by an inner shield layer made of plain copper that forms an outer conductor and also provides shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI). This inner shield layer is enclosed by a PVC inner sheath. The resulting inner PVC sheath is wrapped with a second shielding layer made of Zinc-plated steel wire (FE-ZN), called armor, which ensures mechanical protection and improved resistance against cable corrosion. Finally, the structure is covered with an outermost layer called a jacket – made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH). This jacket protects the cable core from mechanical, moisture, and chemical issues.

The RG-12A/U cable exhibits approximate capacitance from 20.6 to 21 pF/ft and signal attenuation of around 4.21 to 5.2 dB/100 ft at 400 MHz (signal attenuation of the cable depends on the frequency). This cable has an inner conductor diameter of 0.0477 inches (1.21 mm), an insulation layer measuring 0.285 inches (7.24 mm) in diameter, and a velocity propagation of 66% to 67%. It operates over a temperature range from -30˚C to + 70°C.

Key Specifications of RG-12A/U Coaxial Cables