Coaxial Cable, LMR240

Many industries use coaxial cable LMR 240. Commonly, in the transmission of communications signals such as video, audio, or network signals. The name of these cables is actually coaxial. Many people refer to them by their shorthand "coax". So, what does coax, or coaxial mean?

Coaxial means that the cable possesses two concentric conductors. They are separated by an insulating material. Essentially, the inner conductor is surrounded by a material that insulates it from the outer conductor. The outer conductor functions as a conducting shield. In certain cases, there is another insulating layer after the shield. Most frequently, the inner conductor carries the signal carrying voltage while the shield is kept at ground potential. Why build a cable like this? This type of design is beneficial for multiple reasons. Most important is that this type of cable restricts electric and magnetic fields. The fields are essentially trapped in the internal insulating material. This helps to reduce leakage outside the shield.

What does LMR stand for? Well, it originally stood for Land Mobile Radio and was utilized by the military. It has since gone on to be multipurpose and used in a variety of industries. Currently, LMR cable is associated with "Low Loss" coaxial cable. What sets this apart from other coaxial cables is its size and signal carrying power. Additionally, LMR has a thicker exterior jacket making it ideal for outdoor conditions. Selecting the correct coaxial cable is not an easy task. Contact a Pacer expert today with any questions you may have.