How Should a Coaxial Cable Be Routed?

Whether you’re managing a large-scale industrial setup, a commercial surveillance system, or a data-driven infrastructure, how you route your coaxial cables impacts performance, signal quality, and longevity.

So how should a coaxial cable be routed? It’s something that most people would be best suited to leave to an experienced electrician - especially in commercial and industrial settings where the stakes are so high.

After all, poor routing choices can lead to interference, signal loss, and costly downtime - things no business can afford. Still, we’ll walk you through the best way to route coax cable below to help you get a better sense of where to start and what to consider.

But if you haven’t already sourced your cables, look no further than our coaxial cable bulk selection here at AudioVideoElectric.com. Enjoy the best of both worlds in affordability and performance!

What is Coaxial Cable Routing?

This is essentially just the strategic planning and placement of coaxial cables within a commercial or industrial setup, with the goal of optimizing performance and longevity. 

It’s not as simple as laying out and connecting cables to components. Rather, it involves carefully determining paths, accounting for environmental conditions, minimizing interference, and managing physical stress on the cable.

The longer your cable run, the more complex - and important - proper coaxial cable routine becomes. This is because the risk of signal degradation rises over longer distances. 

Data centers, manufacturing facilities, and broadcast environments are just a few of the unique uses for coaxial cable, but they all share the commonality of needing proper routing to avoid signal degradation, operational inefficiencies, or even system failure.

So, how should a coaxial cable be routed? Before we can get into that, you need to source reliable, high-performance cables in the first place. Look no further than AVE.

Start With the Right Coaxial Cable at AudioVideoElectric.com

We bring decades of experience in serving commercial customers, and are proud to present the #1 selection of Belden equals to help you get connected and stay connected for less than you’d pay for the brand name, all without sacrificing performance. 

These cables are identical in fit and form, and each has spec sheets to help you choose the optimal type of coaxial cable with confidence. Plus, our customer service team is always available to answer any questions or guide you toward the optimal choice.

Customers have managed to save as much as 65% annually by switching to our cables, all while eliminating stocking costs and production delays. One company cut $86,000 annually from their budget, while another saved $30,000. See more case studies here.

Whether you need cables for large-scale networking, broadcast systems, or specialized industrial setups, you’ll find the ideal cable in our catalog. Here are some things to consider:

• Application-Specific Requirements: First, determine if you need high-frequency capabilities, low signal loss, or specific shielding types. RF and broadband setups may benefit from RG-6 or RG-11 for their low attenuation over long distances. RG-59 is ideal in CCTV usage, while M17 (MIL-SPEC) is used in military and aerospace.
• Compliance With Standards: Commercial situations call for cables that meet strict compliance standards such as UL,  RoHS, or MIL-SPEC. Look into regulatory requirements for safety and performance in your unique industry or environment.
• Environmental Durability: Indoor installations may prioritize flexibility, while UV-resistance, waterproofing, and ruggedness take precedence outdoors.
• Connector Compatibility: Confirm your cable is compatible with existing hardware, be it BNC or F connectors, for seamless integration.
• Bandwidth and Frequency Requirements: High-bandwidth applications like data centers may benefit from low-loss cables with superior shielding. In contrast, lower-stakes scenarios can cut costs with something more rudimentary.

Again, there’s no need to play the guessing game. Our customer service team is a click or call away ready to help you source the optimal cables for your application. But now, let’s get into the best way to route coax cable.

How Should a Coaxial Cable Be Routed?

So, how should a coaxial cable be routed? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as we’d need to know the specific details of your installation environment. 

What we can do, though, is walk you through the best practices for coaxial cable routing. The best way to route coax cable starts with precise planning.

Planning Your Cable Path

Begin with an evaluation of your installation layout to find the shortest yet most practical route between connection points. The goal is to keep cable lengths as short as feasible to avoid attenuation since longer cable runs need amplification to keep a strong signal.

You should also think about what path will provide easy access for inspections or future upgrades without compromising security or functionality. Make sure to identify (and avoid) sharp edges, moving machinery, or areas with high foot traffic to protect the cable.

Managing Bend Radius

Every coaxial cable has a bend radius, which speaks to how much it can be bent before performance is compromised, or worse, the cable is physically damaged. Always consult the spec sheet for your specific cable to find this information.

In general, though, try to avoid tight corners. Use proper supports wherever possible to maintain gentle bends and prevent kinking. Cable trays and conduits will come in handy for this.

Avoiding Interference

There’s a good chance that machinery in your environment will cause electromagnetic interference, or EMI for short. There could also be radio-frequency interference (RFI). Both of these can affect signal quality.

This is inevitable to a certain extent, but there are ways you can mitigate its impact on your cable routing. Make sure you’re giving at least 12 inches of space between your coax cables and other high-voltage power cables or sources of interference.

It’s also a good idea to avoid running coaxial cables parallel to data or audio lines in shared conduits, as crosstalk can create headaches later on down the road.

Better yet, set yourself up for success from the start by sourcing cables with high-quality shielding and make sure you’re providing proper grounding.  

Securing the Cable

Once you’re happy with the route you’ve run, it’s time to secure everything in place. You can use cable clips or straps to lock cables in place at regular intervals, like every 4-6 feet. 

Make sure to use non-damaging fasteners specifically or this type of cable. Less is more, as overtightening can compress and deform the cable jacket, negatively impacting longevity. We recommend you label each cable for easy identification during maintenance or troubleshooting.

Routing in Indoor vs Outdoor Environments

How should a coaxial cable be routed in indoor vs outdoor environments? Each scenario calls for unique routing recommendations. 

For example, indoors the goal is to keep cables clean and organized, using structured cabling systems where possible. Avoid areas with high heat or moisture, such as near HVAC systems or plumbing lines.

But if you’re routing cables outdoors, it becomes especially important that you’re sourcing cables with UV-resistant and weatherproof jackets, as mentioned earlier. Even still, using conduits or protective enclosures shields cables from physical damage and harsh elements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Coax Cable Routing

There you have it, the best way to route coax cable. Before you get to work, though, make sure you’re not falling victim to these common pitfalls we see made:

• Exceeding Cable Length Limits: Signal degradation becomes significant past the cable’s rated maximum length without proper amplification. We have tips on how to extend coaxial cable safely in our blog.
• Ignoring Bend Radius: Sharp bends can damage the inner conductor and shielding, leading to performance issues and premature failure.
• Improper Grounding: Neglecting this increases vulnerability to EMI and signal loss.
• Neglecting Maintenance Access: Routing cables through inaccessible areas can make repairs and upgrades unnecessarily difficult. You’ll be kicking yourself later on.

The only thing left to do now is learn how to test coax cable to ensure everything is configured correctly and working as intended. In the meantime, we’ll share a few key maintenance tips.

Tips for Maintaining Coaxial Cable Integrity

If you implement our guidance on the best way to route coax cable the first time around you won’t have to stress much about maintaining cable integrity going forward. Still, here are some quick tips:

• Schedule periodic visual inspections to identify physical damage such as cuts, abrasions, or kinks in the cable jacket.
• Inspect connectors for corrosion, looseness, or signs of wear, as these can impact signal quality.
• Verify that cable runs remain properly secured, as vibrations or movement over time can loosen clamps or straps.
• Keeping up-to-date cable infrastructure documentation, including routing paths and component connections, simplifies diagnostics and system adjustments.
• Use compressed air to remove dust and debris from connectors and enclosures, especially in harsh industrial environments.
• Clean connector surfaces as needed with approved solvents to maintain optimal signal transfer. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could damage delicate contact points.
• Periodically test signal integrity using tools like spectrum analyzers or cable testers to identify early signs of attenuation or interference.

Following this advice will maximize the lifespan and performance of your coaxial cables, providing uninterrupted service and minimizing costly downtime for years to come!

Wrapping Up Our Guide on the Best Way to Route Coax Cable

So, how should a coaxial cable be routed? We hope you feel confident in your next steps after reading our guide on the best way to route coax cable. The only thing left to do now is get to work!

Just remember the most important takeaways: starting with the optimal cable, planning the most efficient and practical path, understanding bend radius, and avoiding interference. If at any step you feel uncertain, consult an expert. This is not something you can afford to miscalculate.

Our blog has more insights on topics like how to splice coax cable, fiber optic vs coaxial cable, what does RG stand for in coax, cat5 vs coax cable, multi-conductor cable types, what is a low ohm cable, how to calculate conduit fill, multiconductor cables, and so many others.

Don’t let poor cabling slow down your systems. Your search for affordable, durable, and high-performing coax cables ends here. Shop AudioVideoElectric.com now for solutions built to exceed expectations!