Concentric Cable vs Coaxial Cable
Concentric cable and coaxial cable look very similar, which often leads non professionals to confuse them during procurement, or even assume they are different names for the same product. De hecho, they are two completely different technical routes:
Concentric cable is a power cable, mainly used to transmit electrical power (por ejemplo, service entrance cables under the UK BS 7870 estándar). Coaxial cable is a signal/communication cable, mainly used to transmit high frequency signals (por ejemplo, cable TV and antenna feeders).
Although their appearance may be similar, their internal structure, materials and physical principles are completely different. Below we break down and compare the structures of concentric cable and coaxial cable to help you distinguish them thoroughly.
The “concentric” in concentric cable means that the neutral conductor (neutral/earth) is helically wrapped concentrically around the insulated phase conductor.
The “coaxial” in cable coaxial means that the inner conductor, insulating dielectric and outer conductor shield share the same geometric center (axis). The signal is transmitted in the space between the inner and outer conductors.
Types of Concentric Cable
Tipos de cable coaxial
To help engineers and procurement staff check quickly, here is a direct comparison of concentric cable and coaxial cable:
| Dimensión | Cable concéntrico | Cable coaxial |
|---|---|---|
| Core function | Transmit power | Transmit signal / RF |
| Structural logic | Phase conductor inside, neutral conductor concentrically wrapped outside | conductor interior, insulation and outer shield share the same axis |
| Function of outer conductor | Serves as neutral (norte) or earth (EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA) return path, with protective function | Serves as signal return ground, with electromagnetic shielding function |
| Parameters | Cross sectional area, ampacity, tensión nominal | Characteristic impedance (50/75 Oh), shielding attenuation |
| Aplicaciones | Service entrance power lines, low voltage distribution networks, street lighting | Televisión por cable, video surveillance, antennas, RF communication |
Concentric cables and coaxial cables have vastly different requirements for their installation environments; incorrect placement or improper handling can lead to immediate failure:
Cables concéntricos (Distribución de energía):
Primarily used for direct underground burial, building service entrances, or outdoor conduits. Construction constraints: The outer layer of bare copper neutral wires is susceptible to damage during pulling; if the outer sheath is compromised, the cable becomes highly vulnerable to moisture and corrosion once buried. Rough handling or forceful pulling is strictly prohibited; an adequate bending radius must be maintained.
Cables coaxiales (Signal Transmission):
Primarily used in indoor low-voltage cable trays, on surveillance poles, or for outdoor antennas. Construction constraints: The internal foamed insulation layer is extremely sensitive to pressure. Sharp bends or “kinks” at corners can cause impedance fluctuations and signal loss. Es más, outdoor connectors must be rendered strictly watertight; the ingress of water will effectively destroy the high-frequency signal.
Cable concéntrico is designed to deliver “power” safely and economically to homes and businesses; coaxial cable is designed to deliver “signals” to terminals cleanly and with interference resistance. The two cannot replace each other and cannot be mixed. In overseas projects, whether for power distribution or communication surveillance, ZMS Cable can provide high quality cables that meet international standards.
We provide concentric cables compliant with BS 7870 y CEI 60502, as well as various 50 Ω/75 Ω coaxial cables (such as the RG series), meeting full scenario requirements from power to signal. Además, the ZMS Cable engineering team will recommend the correct model strictly according to your application scenario (power supply circuit or low voltage signal), avoiding project rework caused by selection errors.
Need to purchase concentric cable or coaxial cable for your project? Please send your specification requirements to our technical team, and we will provide an accurate quotation and technical support.
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