s structured WIRING Product Training Series: Advanced Video Session 3 1
Table of Contents This presentation will give you a closer look at Video in Structured Wiring applications. The following Areas will be covered: Cables & Connectors Cables, connectors and installation examples common to video applications. Antenna & Cable Television Signal frequencies and modules for Antenna & Cable applications. Satellite & Digital Television Signal frequencies and installation practices for Satellite & Digital Cable applications. 2
Cables & structured WIRING Connectors 3
Video Cable There are 3 common video cables used in applications like structured wiring. Radio Guide Video cables are coaxial which means they have two conductors that share the same center axis. The RG term originated from a military specification that referred to the ratings as Radio Guide. RG59 RG59 is similar to RG6, however, it has a smaller copper conductor in the center and different braiding on the outside. Because of these differences, it is not quite as high performance over longer distances or at higher frequencies (like Satellite) compared to RG6. 4
RG6 RG6 is the most common cable for Structured Wiring Video applications. It is a 75 ohm coaxial cable with an 18- gauge center conductor. It is popular for home installations because it will handle the full frequency range for cable, satellite and high definition TV. RG6 Quad Shield RG6 Quad Shield has the same 18-gauge conductor as standard RG6 but has additional shielding to help prevent line interference and noise. This Quad Shield includes 2 layers of foil and 2 layers of braids. This shielding is most effective at higher frequencies like Satellite, and less effective at lower frequencies like antenna signals. Video Cable 5
Video Cable Installation Siemens Energy & Automation No Kinking When working with Coaxial cable, care must be taken not to stretch or damage the cable during installation. Avoid kinking or bending sharply the cable. Do not use over-tightened cable ties. Maximum pulling tension = 35 lbs. Bending Radius A minimum bending radius of 20x diameter (approximately 6 ) is recommended while pulling cable. A minimum bending radius of 10x diameter (approximately 3 ) is recommended when placing cable. 6
Video Cable Installation Siemens Energy & Automation Separation from Power Coaxial cable runs should be separated from AC power. Failure to do so can create Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) on the video signal. It is recommended that coax should cross power lines perpendicularly, not in parallel. Some separation guidelines: Power lines = 6 inches Motors & Transformers = 48 inches Fluorescent Lighting = 24 inches 7
Video Connectors Siemens Energy & Automation There are different connection types used at the end of a coaxial cable such as BNC, N-Series and F-Series. For Structured Wiring video applications, an F-Series connector is needed. Here are 2 examples: Crimp-On Crimp on connectors have a shroud that extends over the coax shielding that is then compressed around the cable with a crimp tool for a firm fit. Crimp-On connectors are usually the cheapest alternatives. Compression Compression connectors are forced around the end of the coax shielding and then have a sleeve forced up using a compression tool to secure the coax to the connector. Compression connectors are usually a quick, easy installation alternative. 8
Video Connectors Siemens Energy & Automation An example is shown here for installing a crimp-type F series connector. Follow these 4 steps: 1. Strip Copper Conductor Strip both the plastic insulator as well as the dielectric in the center ½ from the end, leaving only the copper conductor exposed. 2. Strip Coax Shield Strip just the plastic coax shield back ¼ from the end, leaving the metallic mesh and dielectric intact. 9
Video Connectors Siemens Energy & Automation 3. Insert Connector Insert the F-Connector over the end of the cable. The inner metal tube of the connector should go in under metallic mesh of the cable. Insert the cable such that the dielectric is even with the flat surface inside the connector. 4. Crimp with Tool Using the appropriate crimp tool, crimp the connector on the cable. 10
Antenna structured WIRING & Cable Television 11
Video Frequencies Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Cable Cable Band VHF Mid VHF Super Hyper Ultra Channel # 2-6 14-22 7-13 23-36 37-64 65-125 Antenna Antenna Band VHF VHF UHF Channel # 2-6 7-13 14-69 Frequencies Over the air antenna signals are broadcast at various frequencies, just like a radio station would broadcast an audio signal to your stereo. This chart shows the frequencies these channels are broadcast at. Interference? Notice the skip in frequencies from VHF 2-6 and VHF 7-13 around 100MHz. This is to avoid interference with radio broadcasts. 12
Antenna Signals Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Antenna Antenna Band VHF VHF UHF Channel # 2-6 7-13 14-69 Antenna to Television Televisions include a tuner that can convert the antenna signal from these frequencies into channels on the screen. Structured Wiring These channels can be distributed easily throughout the home via homerun cables to the structured wiring enclosure and video modules offered by Siemens. 13
Cable Signals Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Cable Cable Band VHF Mid VHF Super Hyper Ultra Channel # 2-6 14-22 7-13 23-36 37-64 65-125 Cable to Television Televisions are capable of converting cable signals to channels on the screen. However, the tuner must determine if the signal is cable or antenna to display the correct channel/picture since the channel numbers are different above channel 13. Structured Wiring Like antenna signals, these channels can be distributed easily throughout the home via homerun cables to the structured wiring enclosure and video modules offered by Siemens. 14
Video Modules Passive Video Modules Video modules provide a homeowner with a way to distribute video signals from various sources throughout the home. Passive modules are the most basic, and most common way to accomplish this. Signal Types Passive Video modules support both Antenna and Cable signal types. 15
Video Modules Four Configurations Siemens offers 4 passive video modules to accommodate various requirements. These units are shown below: Item: # of Outputs: VM1X3 3 VM1X4 4 VM1X6 6 VM1X8 8 16
Amplified Video Amplified vs. Passive While passive video modules distribute video signals to multiple locations, amplified modules not only distribute but also amplify the signal. An example is shown here: Why Amplified? Amplified modules are useful for boosting signal strength and allowing for longer cable runs. 17
Amplified Video Modules Siemens Energy & Automation Siemens offers 3 amplified video modules to accommodate various requirements. These units are shown below: VM1X6A Distributes 1 input to 6 locations. 2 runs up to 150 ft, 4 runs up to 75 ft. Includes bi-directional return for pay-per-view boxes. VM3X8AB Distributes 3 video inputs to 8 locations. Includes bi-directional return for pay-per-view boxes. VM3X8AH Distributes 3 inputs to 8 locations. The H suffix indicates High Headroom which handles high and low antenna signals, but provides no return path like bi-directional models. 18
Satellite structured WIRING & Digital Television 19
Video Frequencies Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Cable Cable Band VHF Mid VHF Super Hyper Ultra Channel # 2-6 14-22 7-13 23-36 37-64 65-125 Antenna Antenna Band VHF VHF UHF Channel # 2-6 7-13 14-69 Satellite Satellite Band* Channel # Satellite Frequencies While cable and antenna signals are both in the 50 to 800 MHz range, Satellite is much higher, starting at 900 MHz and going up to nearly 2000 MHz. More Channels Satellite all Having this broad signal range means Satellite can offer many more channels than 2 through 69 as with Antenna. Digital satellite channels will go from 2 to 999 and beyond. 20
Digital Cable Signals Siemens Energy & Automation Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Cable Cable Band VHF Mid VHF Super Hyper Ultra Channel # 2-6 14-22 7-13 23-36 37-64 65-125 Digital Cable Digital Cable is similar to Satellite in that it employs higher frequencies to deliver more channels. Typically, digital cable will overlap standard cable frequencies and extend over 1000 MHz. Digital Cable Operation Like Satellite, most television tuners are not able to convert digital cable signals from these frequencies into channels on the screen. Because of this, the transmission must be decoded and converted at the television set (a set-top box) and then delivered to the TV s tuner. 21
Satellite Signals Television Frequencies by Type Fequency (MHz) 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 Satellite Satellite Band* Channel # Satellite all Satellite to Television Most television tuners are not able to convert satellite signals from these frequencies into channels on the screen. Because of this, the transmission must be decoded and converted at the television set and then delivered to the TV s tuner. This conversion is normally done by a Set-top Box at the television. Structured Wiring Because these signals must be decoded and converted, distributing them throughout the house requires different consideration than standard cable or antenna. For example, the feed from the satellite dish may need to be sent to the converter before being split to other rooms. 22
Structured Wiring Installation Wiring Plan For homes that use Satellite or Digital Cable, the wiring strategy is similar to that of standard systems. RG6 should be home run from the enclosure to each room desired. 2 runs are recommended to the main living room or media room to allow for a return signal. Special Equipment Because the video signal needs decoding and conversion, the satellite or cable company will provide specialized equipment to accomplish this. They can utilize the RG6 homeruns you have provided to deliver the needed signals, they will typically provide the needed splitters and decoders to match their system needs. 23
s structured WIRING Product Training Series: Advanced Video Session 3 24