Application Watch: Cost-effective coaxial cables for security market

For an analog-era cabling technology pronounced to be slowly dying a decade ago, coaxial cables continue to make their presence felt in the market. Their reach was estimated at $11 billion worldwide in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic and is projected to increase further to $15.7 billion by 2027 at 5.3 percent CAGR, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts Inc. published by Research and Markets. Most growth will come from the US, China, Japan, Canada and Germany.

Coaxial cables still serve a wide range of applications and their low-cost advantage, specifically in terms of installation and maintenance, remains their big draw. Compared to fiber-optic cables, they are easier to install and can be bent without impact on signal transmission.

In a 2020 to 2028 forecast, Acute Market Reports notes uptake will come from the security and surveillance market, driven by heightened awareness for public and private safety. Beijing-based QY Research estimates about 30 percent of global shipments of coaxial cables are for this application, and projects demand will increase steadily in the next few years.

Encouraged by this sustained rise in requirement, manufacturers of coaxial cables and assemblies in China continue to improve product quality further to offer a better price-performance ratio to the security market. They highlight low loss and high reliability in indoor and outdoor installations. As further guarantee, flame retardancy, and resistance to moisture, water, high and low temperatures, and rodent and termite damage are also emphasized, along with the use of halogen-free and low-smoke materials.

Benefit from China's market

This manufacturing sector is expected to benefit from China's market for security products. Pre-pandemic, this captive application base posted 15 percent growth, with production value reaching $121.47 billion, according to ChinaIRN. The upward trend is forecast to continue in 2021 and through 2022.

From this and the global outlook, companies interviewed by Global Sources Electronic Components are anticipating sales will be higher by about 10 percent by the end of 2021. They are also counting on the same rate in shipments to export destinations, mainly Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Supplier optimism is also evident in steady investments in the category. Zhongshan Zhenfu Electronics Co. Ltd, which saw a 9 percent production uptick in 2020 amid the pandemic, spent $100,000 on new plastic injection machines and other equipment. Security products account for 20 percent of its output.

Hundreds of interconnects manufacturers in China offer coaxial cables and assemblies for the security market. Most are domestically owned. Guangdong Choseal, Ningbo Ship and Shenzhen Lansan are some of the leading companies. Suppliers that have foreign investment include major industry players such as Molex and Amphenol.

Many of the factories are in the cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou in Guangdong, Ningbo in Zhejiang and Yangzhou in Jiangsu, and Shanghai.

Up to 10-core product selection

For security products, Chinese manufacturers produce coaxial cables with one, two, four, six and 10 cores, PE insulation and PVC jackets. Common connectors used include BNC and F types with nickel- or gold-plated copper contacts and nickel-plated brass shells.

There are SYV75 series cables with solid PE insulation and 75ohm impedance, RVV series or copper-core PVC-insulated PVC-sheathed flexible cables, RVVP series or copper-core PVC-insulated PVC-shielded flexible cables, and KVV and KVVP series or PVC-insulated PVC-sheathed control cables.

For all-in-one functionality, suppliers also offer RG59 Siamese Combo cables. With two cables in one jacket, this cabling design eliminates the need for separate wires for power and video.

Most Chinese companies comply with national safety standards such as GB 50312-2016, GB 50348, GA/T 670, GA/T 1297-2016 and GA/T 1406-2017 and also ensure their products meet RoHS requirements.

Copper, brass, gold, nickel, PVC, PE, the main materials used in the production of coaxial cables and assemblies, are sourced domestically or from foreign providers, depending on customers' requests. Connectors are made in-house or outsourced.

Higher input and labor costs forced the majority of Chinese manufacturers to raise product quotes by 10 percent in the first half of 2021. It remains to be seen if material costs will stabilize toward the end of the year and keep prices unchanged.

Coaxial cable with 18AWG wires

Hangzhou Xingfa Technology Co. Ltd's RG6 coaxial cable uses 18AWG bare-copper or copper-clad steel wires, 4.57mm foamed PE dielectric and 0.8mm PE or PVC jacket. The unit has 75ohm and 50pF/m nominal impedance and capacitance, and 20dB structural return loss. It meets CE, RoHS and UL requirements.

The minimum order quantity is 20km. Delivery takes 15 days.

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Coaxial cable, suits KNX systems

Compatible with KNX systems, this KNX 2P 2X2X0.8mm LSZH coaxial cable from Zhejiang Tianjie Industrial Corp. has two twisted pairs of solid bare-copper conductors with tinned copper drain wires and 100 percent aluminum foil shielding, solid PE insulation and fire-retardant green LSZH jacket.

The supplier requires a 30,000m minimum order. Lead time is 15 days.

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Coaxial cable with brass-plated F plugs

From Zhejiang Wanma Tianyi Communication Wire & Cable Co. Ltd, this RG6 coaxial cable assembly uses gold F-type connectors with brass plating and a PVC cable. The RoHS-compliant unit has 5ohm maximum contact resistance and 5Mohm minimum insulation resistance at 30VDC, 0.01sec. The minimum pulling tension is 90N.

Order quantity is negotiable. Lead time is 20 days.

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Coaxial cable assembly for TVs, STBs, monitors

Suitable for TVs, set-top boxes, IPTVs and monitors, Zhongshan Zhenfu Electronics Co. Ltd's CX-0408 coaxial cable assembly has gold-plated F connectors, a cable with aluminum foil and heavy-braided shielding, and black overmolded PVC strain reliefs. It has 75ohm impedance and 120dB maximum screening rate.

An order of at least 500 units is delivered within 20 days.

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