Hardline Coax: Rigid Trunk for Distribution
Quick answer / TL;DR: Short answer: hardline comes in 412, 500 and 625 sizes, with lower loss as the size grows. It requires purpose-made connectors, coring tools and a fixed route with sweeping bends. Do not confuse it with flexible RG cable: hardline is for permanent outside plant, not for a wall drop.
Three coaxial families: BNC for CCTV, F-type for TV, N for RF – each with its impedance.Hardline is semi-rigid coaxial cable with a solid aluminium outer conductor, used for cable television trunk and distribution. It is not flexible and cannot be bent by hand.
Its advantage is very low loss and mechanical stability over decades.
Sizes and Use
| Size | Outer diameter | Typical use |
|---|
| 412 | About 0.41 inch | Distribution |
| 500 | About 0.50 inch | Trunk |
| 625 | About 0.625 inch | Long trunk |
Larger sizes trade flexibility for loss, which is why trunk runs use 500 or 625 and drops use flexible cable.
Installation Requirements
- Corning tool matched to the size
- Connectors rated for the jacket
- Sweeping bends only, no elbows
- Support every metre or so
- Weatherproof the connector interface
The support point is mechanical: hardline is heavy, and an unsupported span stresses connectors.
Real-World Applications
A cable television trunk along a street uses 500 hardline with compression connectors and expansion loops at bends. A drop to a house uses flexible RG6 from the tap.
Standards and Verification
| Reference | Relevance |
|---|
| SCTE | Hardline practice |
| IEC 61196 | Coaxial cable |
| IEC 61169 | RF connectors |
Loss figures for a specific hardline size are not provided in the knowledge base. Use the manufacturer's curve.
References
- SCTE operational practices for coaxial trunk and distribution
- IEC 61196-1, Coaxial communication cables
- IEC 61169 series, RF connectors
Practical Notes
Allow expansion loops on long runs. Thermal movement otherwise pulls connectors apart.
Related reading: coax cable — blogs/news/coax-cable
Related reading: coax to coax cable — blogs/news/coax-to-coax-cable
Related reading: subwoofer coax cable — blogs/news/subwoofer-coax-cable
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hardline be bent by hand?
No. It needs a bending tool and sweeping radii.
What sizes exist?
412, 500 and 625 are common.
Is it used for drops?
No. Drops use flexible RG6.
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