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Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > December 2006 > Cutting Coaxial Cable
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Cutting Coaxial Cable
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| redbrickhat@hotmail.com 2006-08-17, 9:25 pm |
| I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
splitter.
Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
Thank you.
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| frank1492 2006-08-17, 9:25 pm |
| NO, these cables carry RF, no dangerous voltages/currents.
On 17 Aug 2006 19:20:43 -0700, redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
>I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
>splitter.
>
>Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
>the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
>
>
>Thank you.
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<redbrickhat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1155867643.223662.97060@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
> splitter.
>
> Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
> the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
>
>
> Thank you.
>
And why would you cut the cable? Just unscrew it from the TV and screw it
into the splitter.
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| Pete C. 2006-08-18, 3:25 am |
| > On 17 Aug 2006 19:20:43 -0700, redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
>frank1492 wrote:
>
> NO, these cables carry RF, no dangerous voltages/currents.
Not entirely true. CATV line power, used to power line amplifiers and
fiber optic gear on the line is 60VAC. This voltage is normally limited
to the lines on the pole, but now and then a cable tech forgets to cut a
power pass jumper or remove a jumper plug which results in the line
power being delivered to the back of someone's TV or cable box. Not
generally a hazard to humans, but can kill some TVs.
That said, if you have to ask if you'll get electrocuted cutting a CATV
line you almost certainly do not have the knowledge / skill to
reterminate the lines properly. There is more to it than just squeezing
a connector with pliers and doing so will almost certainly result in a
poor signal to your TV(s) as well as leakage of the signal from the CATV
line. The splitters you will generally find are lower grade than the
ones supplied by the cable company as well.
This signal leakage is not a joke either, the FCC has pretty stringent
regulations on signal leakage from CATV systems since the signals on the
CATV system overlap many over-the-air signals including police, fire and
air traffic control radio frequencies. CATV operators regularly sweep
their systems looking for leakage problems and there are contract
companies that do aerial leakage surveys of CATV systems.
Call the cable company and ask them to have a tech stop by to install
the splitter for you. Most companies won't charge for this, or will
charge a very small amount, probably less than you'll pay for the
splitter and connectors yourself. It's in their interest to insure the
connections are made correctly since it both aids in their FCC leakage
compliance and also helps avoid customer complaints of bad pictures
resulting from their own actions and the bad word of mouth that can
result.
Pete C.
(worked for a large cable company for quite a few years)
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| On 17 Aug 2006 19:20:43 -0700, redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
>I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
>splitter.
Do you mean unscrew? AFAIK they all unscrew, but if not post again.
>
>Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
>the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
Nope. Tiny voltages, can't even feel them. Well below what one could
feel.
>
>
>Thank you.
| |
| Edwin Pawlowski 2006-08-18, 9:25 am |
|
<redbrickhat@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1155867643.223662.97060@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
> splitter.
>
> Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
> the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
>
Yes. After cutting, keep a container hand to catch any residual signal that
may leak out. They can stain a wood floor and make a mess of carpet.
| |
| hallerb@aol.com 2006-08-18, 9:25 am |
| easily cut but installing fitting requires skill and the screw on
connectors are JUNK!!
crimp type require about 30 bucks at least for stripper and crimping
tool, for decent quality ones. high end many times that.
if you have a existing splitter or other location with a screw on
connector connect there and run a little longer cable, buy it pre made.
no crimping tools needed.
dont buy at radio shack they are trying to escape bankruptcy by making
all their money on monster cable.
home depot etc much better choice
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| redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
> I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
> splitter.
>
> Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power to
> the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
Like another poster asked, why do you have to cut the cable? It should
unscrew from the back of the TV.
Unless you have a hard-wired cable box that sits on your TV and you
want to cut that. If that's the case, unscrew it from where it connects
to the wall, screw a new cable onto the wall connector and install your
splitter on the end of that cable, and screw the cable box wire into
the splitter.
While the voltage and amperage of a coaxial cable are low, it always
makes sense to disconnect it from the wall before cutting into it.
Sure, your chances of being zapped are low, but your chances of being
zapped with it disconnected are ZERO.
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| HeyBub 2006-08-18, 1:25 pm |
| redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
> I am going to cut the RG6 coaxial cable from my cable tv to add a
> splitter.
>
> Do I have to call my cable tv company to tell them to turn off power
> to the signal before I cut, to prevent electrocution?
>
>
> Thank you.
You don't "cut" the cable to add a splitter. You simply add the splitter.
Splitting your cable, however, will cause problems at the other end. Your
cable company will be seeing two pictures of you on one screen. I think they
must have electronics for sorting it out so they can watch you both while
you're in the den and in the bedroom.
| |
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| On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:47:17 -0500, "HeyBub" <heybubNOSPAM@gmail.com>
wrote:
>redbrickhat@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>You don't "cut" the cable to add a splitter. You simply add the splitter.
>
>Splitting your cable, however, will cause problems at the other end. Your
>cable company will be seeing two pictures of you on one screen. I think they
>must have electronics for sorting it out so they can watch you both while
>you're in the den and in the bedroom.
They have multi-channel co-processors now that enable the company to
watch each parent and each child, even if they are all in different
rooms.
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"mm" <NOPSAMmm2005@bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:2mube2p3nk8rdvqoespalbr79m7hjkcm0r@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:47:17 -0500, "HeyBub" <heybubNOSPAM@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> They have multi-channel co-processors now that enable the company to
> watch each parent and each child, even if they are all in different
> rooms.
Back in the 60's I worked in TV broadcasting. Our on air
news/weather/sports anchors always had at least one woman who consistently
called to complain that they were sure the on air guy was watching them
undress during the news.
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| Edwin Pawlowski 2006-08-18, 8:25 pm |
|
"Tom G" <tomasg2@nospamverizon.net> wrote in message
>
> Back in the 60's I worked in TV broadcasting. Our on air
> news/weather/sports anchors always had at least one woman who consistently
> called to complain that they were sure the on air guy was watching them
> undress during the news.
Did they make videos?
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| achoffma 2006-12-25, 9:25 pm |
| I want to add on a bedroom to my tv cable. How do I splice into and add a
splicer. I have a box, legal, for the added room's tv.
| |
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| You should run an RG-6 cable from the new room to the location, where the
cable companies wire comes to your house and install whatever splitter is
necessary at that location
"achoffma" <achoffma2@juno.com> wrote in message
news:438d0b8d935d7ca7fef929e108efb007@homerepairlive.com...
>I want to add on a bedroom to my tv cable. How do I splice into and add a
> splicer. I have a box, legal, for the added room's tv.
| |
|
| In article <438d0b8d935d7ca7fef929e108efb007@homerepairlive.com>,
achoffma2@juno.com says...
> I want to add on a bedroom to my tv cable. How do I splice into and add a
> splicer. I have a box, legal, for the added room's tv.
>
Get thee to the local HomeDespot (or other) and buy screw-on
"F-Male" ends[*] for the cable you have. They'll have instructions
for trimming back the insulation and braid. Cut the cable at the
appropriate spot, put two of these on the new ends, and screw them
into the splitter (the output going to the set). The first time
you do it it might take a couple of tries to get right so try have
plenty of slack.
[*] My cable company got mad at me for using these and replaced
them all, as well as every patch cable I had. ...at no cost. ;-)
--
Keith
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| Noozer 2006-12-26, 3:25 am |
|
"achoffma" <achoffma2@juno.com> wrote in message
news:438d0b8d935d7ca7fef929e108efb007@homerepairlive.com...
>I want to add on a bedroom to my tv cable. How do I splice into and add a
> splicer. I have a box, legal, for the added room's tv.
You call the cable company and tell them to put a jack in.
It will be cheaper than all the bits 'n pieces and you'll be sure of a good
job.
COAX is a SEALED cable (shielded) so you don't want anyplace where signal
will leak out or in.
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| George 2006-12-26, 9:25 am |
| krw wrote:
> In article <438d0b8d935d7ca7fef929e108efb007@homerepairlive.com>,
> achoffma2@juno.com says...
> Get thee to the local HomeDespot (or other) and buy screw-on
> "F-Male" ends[*] for the cable you have.
Those are complete junk and it is no surprise the only place you see
them is in big box stores. Your cable TV company seems sensible for
replacing them.
They'll have instructions
> for trimming back the insulation and braid. Cut the cable at the
> appropriate spot, put two of these on the new ends, and screw them
> into the splitter (the output going to the set). The first time
> you do it it might take a couple of tries to get right so try have
> plenty of slack.
>
> [*] My cable company got mad at me for using these and replaced
> them all, as well as every patch cable I had. ...at no cost. ;-)
>
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| Steve Barker LT 2006-12-26, 1:25 pm |
| I've used literally hundreds of the screw on ends and have had no problems
with them. They make good contact with the shield and are easy to install.
There's nothing wrong with them. And they're sold everywhere, not just the
home improvement centers.
--
Steve Barker
"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:CfWdnaNDU4S5sgzYnZ2dnUVZ_q_inZ2d@adelphia.com...
> Those are complete junk and it is no surprise the only place you see them
> is in big box stores. Your cable TV company seems sensible for replacing
> them.
>
| |
| Pete C. 2006-12-26, 1:25 pm |
| Steve Barker LT wrote:
>
> I've used literally hundreds of the screw on ends and have had no problems
> with them. They make good contact with the shield and are easy to install.
> There's nothing wrong with them. And they're sold everywhere, not just the
> home improvement centers.
>
> --
> Steve Barker
No, they are garbage, plain and simple. They are only sold to clueless
DIYs. If they were not crap, don't you think the cable companies would
use them instead of more time consuming crimp or compression connectors?
The simple fact is that their quality, reliability, insertion loss,
impedance mismatch and shielding specs don't cut it. Cable companies are
required by the FCC to maintain and test their systems to prevent
leakage and they can be fined for excessive leakage. Crappy screw on
connectors and garbage splitters are one of the largest sources of
leakage. They also impact picture quality for any of the analog
channels.
Pete C.
| |
| Mark Lloyd 2006-12-26, 5:25 pm |
| On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:10:37 -0600, "Steve Barker LT"
<railphotonut@not.hotmail.com> wrote:
>I've used literally hundreds of the screw on ends and have had no problems
>with them. They make good contact with the shield and are easy to install.
>There's nothing wrong with them. And they're sold everywhere, not just the
>home improvement centers.
When I replaced all my screw-on cable ends with crimped ones, there
was a considerable decrease in the amount of noise in the video. Use a
good crimper.
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com
"The government of the United States is not, in
any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
-- George Washington
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| Steve Barker LT 2006-12-26, 5:25 pm |
| I hear what you're saying. But what if you have a perfect picture already
with the screw ons? hmmmmmm
--
Steve Barker
"Mark Lloyd" <mlloyd@xmail.com10.invalid> wrote in message
news:10v2p29rapffmrmltq0pl5o8tnqjdmtiar@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 10:10:37 -0600, "Steve Barker LT"
> <railphotonut@not.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> When I replaced all my screw-on cable ends with crimped ones, there
> was a considerable decrease in the amount of noise in the video. Use a
> good crimper.
> Mark Lloyd
> http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com
>
> "The government of the United States is not, in
> any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
> -- George Washington
| |
| Pete C. 2006-12-26, 5:25 pm |
| Steve Barker LT wrote:
>
> I hear what you're saying. But what if you have a perfect picture already
> with the screw ons? hmmmmmm
>
> --
> Steve Barker
That only means you have a signal sufficiently strong, it can still be
leaking like a sieve. While it's the cable company that can get fined
for the leakage, you should be concerned as well since this leakage can
interfere with over the air signals like police / fire / air traffic
radio. Also realize that you'll only see the signal degradation on
analog video channels, the digital channels will mask this.
Pete C.
| |
| Mark Lloyd 2006-12-27, 5:25 pm |
| On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:16:07 -0600, "Steve Barker LT"
<railphotonut@not.hotmail.com> wrote:
>I hear what you're saying. But what if you have a perfect picture already
>with the screw ons? hmmmmmm
Leave them, and hope you remember 6 months from now when the picture
turns crappy.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com
"Properly read, the Bible is the most potent
force for atheism ever conceived." -- Isaac Asimov
| |
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| In article <98u5p25u9qhk1ll6a47nvfjag5fhcphao6@4ax.com>,
mlloyd@xmail.com10.invalid says...
> On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 16:16:07 -0600, "Steve Barker LT"
> <railphotonut@not.hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Leave them, and hope you remember 6 months from now when the picture
> turns crappy.
Sure, then call the cable company and they will come out and
replace everything. They won't leave extra patch cords or come out
when you buy a new DVR though. Funny guys.
--
Keith
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