How RG Series Coaxial Cable Cut Signal Failures by 38%

Customer Background

A regional security systems integrator with 45 employees manages video surveillance networks for industrial facilities across three states. The company installs and maintains more than 200 analog and hybrid IP-CCTV systems, covering factories, distribution centers, and utility sites. Their clients rely on continuous video recording for safety compliance and theft prevention.

Challenges and Pain Points

Over time, the integrator faced a growing number of transmission-related failures. Camera feeds showed pixelation, freeze frames, and complete dropouts, in areas close to high-volt-level motors and variable frequency drives. On a typical month, the team recorded 48 signal incidents across all sites. Each incident required a truck roll and an average of 1.8 hours of troubleshooting, including re-termination or replacement of the cable.

, the integrator had tried using a lower-cost RG59 cable from another supplier. The substandard shielding allowed electromagnetic interference to degrade the video signal. Even after upgrading cameras and digital video recorders, the transmission problems remained. The integrator also tested a fiber-optic solution for two retrofit projects, but the cost of pulling fiber through existing conduit was too high for the clients' budgets.

Why Choose RG Series Coaxial Cable

The decision team assessed three options: another budget cable, a plenum-rated cable, and the RG Series Coaxial Cable from singi-cable. The budget cable had inconsistent impedance and poor shielding. The plenum-rated cable met fire codes but did not address signal quality. The RG series offered a balanced combination of electrical performance and cost-effectiveness.

Key reasons for choosing the RG series were its 95% copper braid shielding, which reduces electromagnetic interference, and its stable 75-ohm impedance, which matches CCTV equipment. The cable also had a lower insertion loss per 100 meters compared to standard RG59, enabling longer runs without signal repeaters. The integrator received a sample batch and tested it on two problematic runs; the results showed a clean waveform and no visible interference.

Implementation and Application Process

The rollout began with a pilot on one distribution center that accounted for 12% of all signal incidents. Over an eight-week period, the integrator replaced 3,200 meters of cable, installed new connectors, and tested every run with a time-domain reflectometer. The project followed a structured process:

• Audited all existing cable runs and mapped signal-critical locations.
• Replaced the main trunk lines and drop cables with RG Series Coaxial Cable.
• Standardized termination using compression connectors to prevent moisture ingress.
• Verified impedance and signal-to-noise ratio on each run before connecting cameras.
• Documented the new installation and trained two field technicians on proper pull tension and bend radius.

A typical difficulty was routing the cable through existing metallic conduits without nicking the jacket. The team used pulling lubricant and installed the cable to avoid kinking. After the pilot site showed a 50% drop in incidents, the integrator replicated the process across all remaining sites over the next five months.

Application Results and Quantified Outcomes

After the full deployment, the integrator measured the following outcomes over a 90-day period:

• Signal failure incidents dropped from 48 per month to 30 per month, a 38% reduction.
• Repeat service calls for the same camera location fell by 28%.
• Average video quality score (based on a 1-to-5 scale used in client reports) improved from 2.8 to 4.5.
• Installation time per camera decreased by 22% because the cable terminated consistently and required fewer rework passes.
• Monthly maintenance cost per site dropped by $460, driven by fewer truck rolls and lower labor hours.

Across the integrator's service territory, the overall mean time between failures for video transmission increased by threefold. This improvement allowed the company to shift technicians from reactive repairs to proactive system audits, which opened a new revenue stream for the business.

Customer Voice

"The signal quality is now stable, even in the noisiest part of the factory floor. Our techs spend less time chasing intermittent faults, and the client's security team trusts the system for post-incident review." — Operations Director, Security Systems Integrator

Lessons and Insights

This application case offers three takeaways for other integrators and facility teams:

• Choose coaxial cable based on the electromagnetic environment, not price. A slightly higher upfront cost for better shielding reduces long-term maintenance expenses.
• Standardize termination and installation methods. Most signal issues originate from poor connector fit or over-tightened bends, not from the cable itself.
• Validate performance with test equipment. A TDR or signal analyzer identifies weak links before they become client complaints, and documented results build confidence in the chosen product.

If the integrator were to reprioritize, they would test the cable's shielded variants in the harshest locations first, than using one type everywhere. They also noted that training the second-tier technicians earlier would have reduced the learning curve during the rollout.

Product complies with IEC 61196 series for coaxial communication cables. For more details on the standard, see IEC 61196 Part 1: Total specification for coaxial communication cables. IEC 61196-1.