Most home CCTV systems can use standard-issue RG cables. However, if you’re looking for a CCTV system for a larger building, then you may want to consider some other options.
In this handy guide, we’ll go over which cables are suitable for extended distance applications.
How Far Should I Run A Coax Cable?
As a hard and fast rule, coaxial cables are not recommended for applications over…
It’s not recommended that coax cables are used for extended distance applications. The main problem with using standard-issue RG coaxial cables for long distance applications is that, in long distance runs the cable undergoes something called signal loss, known in the industry as attenuation. This happens when the signal being transmitted leaks from within the cable, cause the signal to be less strong.
As you can see from the table below, attenuation rates differ depending on the type of coaxial cable, and increase as the length and bandwidth of the cable increases.
Coax Cable Attenuation Loss Chart (per 100ft)
| Loss (MHz) | Coax Cable Attenuation per 100ft (dB) | ||
| RG59 | RG6 | RG11 | |
| 1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| 10 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| 50 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 |
| 100 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| 200 | 7.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 |
| 400 | 11.2 | 4.3 | 3.5 |
| 700 | 16.9 | 5.6 | 4.7 |
| 900 | 20.1 | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| 1000 | 21.5 | 6.1 | 5.6 |
Which Cables Can I Use for Extended Distance?
If you’re looking to for a high-bandwidth signal to be carried over a long distance, we’d recommend looking into Extended Distance Coaxial Cables. These cables are constructed with an additional layer of protective shielding around the conductor, so that less signal is lost over long distances.
Have any further questions about our coax cables? Click here to talk to our friendly team!
