romig@osu-dbs.UUCP (Steve ) (07/10/84)
This is a summary of the responses I received to my query about
how to join segments of ethernet cables.
From everything that I hear, you use coax cable connectors of the same sex
on the ends of the two segments you want to join, and use a barrel connector
of the opposite sex to screw them together. The most commonly mentioned
combination was to use female connectors, and a male-male barrel. This
makes sense, since I think most cables are terminated with females (at least,
ours is...)
Each of these joints (and I imagine also the two cable terminators) should
be wrapped in plastic electrical tape to insulate it from everything. Also,
if the connection will be exposed to the elements in any way, it should be
sprayed with "electrical grade clear Krylon lacquer" to protect it.
The total length of all the connected cables must (should?) remain under
500 meters. The pieces of cable should minimize impedence mismatch problems.
I was also given a few tips on matching cables from cbosgd!sdcrdcf!darrelj:
Cable matching can be done by several means: (in order of preference)
a) all segments cut from a single piece of cable
b) all segments from a single production lot (less desirable than a)
c) all segments added are odd (1 or 3 or 5) multiples of 23.4 meters long
d) complete cable assembly is sweep tested for low SWR (i.e. you get out
your RF gear and measure the mismatch in the cable).
Thank you, all those who responded. We appreciate it!!
--- Steve Romig
..!cbosgd!osu-dbs!romig
romig@ohio-state.csnet