Q: What is a BNC Connector?
A: BNC connectors are miniature quick connect/disconnect radio frequency (RF) connectors used for coaxial cable that work with video and ethernet applications.
Q. What do I need for proper installation?
A. A coax stripper, coax cable, a crimp tool, a soldering iron, and the BNC connector are all needed for proper installation.
Q: What does it mean when a connector says it is 50 ohm or 75 ohm?
A: BNC connectors are most commonly made in 50 and 75 ohm versions. Video and DS3 Telco central office applications primarily use 75 ohm connectors, while 50 ohm connectors are used for data.
You can easily tell the difference between the two by looking for the dialectric. The 50 ohm connector features a white dialectric surrounding the center pin, while the 75 ohm BNC connector is surrounded by air (no dialectric).
50 ohm and 75 ohm BNC connectors will mate with each other. At frequencies under 10 MHz the impedance mismatch will not have any affect. If you are above 10 MHz the chances of signal distortion become more significant.
Q. What is the benefit of this crimp connector over other styles?
A. Using the crimp-on method cuts down on installation time as there is no need for soldering. Also, when properly done, a crimp connection is air tight which allows for a maximum performance of the cable and connector. Solid and stranded conductors can be used with a crimp on connector which makes it available to use with many different types of cable.
Q. What is reverse polarity?
A. Reverse polarity is a variation of the BNC specification which reverses the polarity of the interface. If a BNC connector has a hollow pin, but channel locks, this would be a BNC reverse polarity male connector. If a connector has a locking bolts, but a solid pin, the connector would be a BNC reverse polarity female connector.
