How to Terminate Coaxial Cable

PDF download Download Article
In-depth guide to terminate coaxial cables by yourself
PDF download Download Article

Coaxial cable can be used to transmit a variety of signals, including cable television, internet and low quality audio. If you’re working on a project that falls in any of these categories, you can make your own cables and save money by learning how to terminate coaxial cable yourself.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In order to terminate a coaxial cable, you will need the following tools and materials:
    • Coax compression connector - There are several types of connectors available. Compression connectors provide the best connection and finish to your cable. The second-best type of connectors are "crimp" connectors. Avoid push-on or twist connectors.
    • Compression/crimping tool - Make sure it is compatible with the compression/crimping connector.
    • Coax cable stripper tool
    • Cable cutters
    • Connector installation tool - This tool is used for pushing the connector firmly onto the stripped cable.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use your cutting tool to make a straight cut at the end of the cable. After cutting, use your fingers to form the end of a cable back into a circle.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most coaxial strippers can be adjusted to strip dual-shielded or quad-shielded coaxial cables. Use the included Allen wrench to adjust the stripper. If you don't adjust the stripper properly, you may strip the ground wire, damaging the cable.
    • The most common cable is RG-6, either quad- or dual-shielded. Make sure that the stripper is configured for RG-6 coaxial cable, and not another cable size such as Ethernet cable.
    • If your stripper is set to dual-shielding, but you try to strip a quad-shielded cable, not all of the shielding will be removed.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Place the end of the coax cable into the stripper so that the end of the cable is flush with the far end of the stripper. Clamp the stripper down on the cable and spin it around the cable two to three times.
    • You can tell when the stripper is finished when you don't feel resistance anymore when spinning.
    • Don't pull the stripper off when finished. Unlatch it and open it to remove the cable.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After stripping the cable, you should see two segment cuts. Pull the outermost segment off of the cable. This should reveal the center conductor wire.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will reveal the foil that insulates the cable. Find the edge of the foil and peel it off the cable. This should leave a single layer of foil around the white insulation.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you pull off the cable jacket, you will see a lot of loose ground wires. Fold these back against the cable so that the connector will be touching all of the wires when installed. None of the wires should be blocking the white insulation.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most cable stripper tools will leave the correct length of conductor wire exposed, but it doesn't hurt to double check before proceeding. The exposed connector cable should be 3.9 mm (.156 inches) in length.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use a pusher tool to firmly push the connector onto the cable until the white insulation is flush with the connector.
    • Make sure you avoid bending the bare conductor wire when installing the connector.
    • You may need to twist the cable while pushing with the tool to get it firmly connected.
  10. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The process for compressing or crimping the connector varies depending on the type of connector you are using. Some require you to press down on the cable-end of the connector piece, while others require you to push the front and end of the connector piece into each other.
    • Squeeze the compression or crimping tool firmly. Most tools won't allow you to over-compress, but some can cause damage to the cable and connector if compressed too much.
  11. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid712163-v4-728px-Terminate-Coaxial-Cable-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After you have finished compressing the connector, inspect it for any stray wires or loose connections. These can lead to a bad signal or nonfunctional cable.
    12. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you tell me how to remove these compression connectors, and can it be done without a special crimping tool?
    Community Answer
    Get regular pliers and place the jaws on the "humps" on the crimped connector and squeeze slightly. There are usually four "humps," so you would do this once on each pair. If this does not work, simply cut off the end. Then you would strip the end again to attach a new connector. These connectors cannot be reused, but can be replaced by "twist-on" connectors which do not need a tool.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • There are several different types of coaxial cable and connectors. A few of the more commonly used are ADC DSX-CM-1000, WECO Type 734A, Belden YR23922, Belden 1505A and GEPCO VPM2000. The most commonly used coaxial connectors are BNC-734 and TNC-734.
        Thanks
      • Once you have adjusted the stripping tool for the brand of cable you are using, it won’t strip other brands of cable properly without readjustment. Use one brand of cable for your whole project.
        Thanks
      • If the coaxial cable has a foil shield underneath the braided shield, you want it cut to the same dimensions as the braided shield.
        Thanks
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Connect Coaxial Cable Connectors
      How to
      Unscrew a Coaxial Cable From Audiovisual Equipment
      How to
      Install Satellite Coax Cable in a Home
      How to
      Strip Coax Cable
      Blinking Orange Light on Your Xfinity Router: Meaning & Fixes
      How to
      Install an Ethernet Jack in a Wall
      How to
      Set up Ethernet
      How to
      Add or Change the Default Gateway in Linux
      How to Change Your NAT Type: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide
      How to Set up a Shared Network Drive
      How to
      Install a Modem
      Easy Ways to Fix Blinking Amber or Orange Light on Router
      How to
      Connect Two Computers Using USB
      How to
      Fix a Cut Fiber Optic Cable
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 314,530 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Mark G T Deneven

        Apr 21, 2017

        "Accidentally pulled the end off the main cable entry and this guide led me into a successful fix. After two ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement