Next up in our This vs. That series, we compare the RG214 Cable and the RG213 Cable! The purpose of these posts is for you to see a side-by-side comparison of two similar products so you can understand which one might be best suited for your needs. While these cables have many similarities, their differences are enough to be unique and useful in many different scenarios.
RG214 and RG213 are coaxial cables used for high-frequency signal transmissions. Both of these coax cables are designed for use in telecommunications, radio communications, broadcast, and computer applications. RG214 coax and RG213 coax are very similar to one another, however, there are a few defining characteristics that set them apart.
| RG214 vs RG213 Specs for Construction | ||
|---|---|---|
| RG214 | RG213 | |
| Conductor Type | Stranded | Stranded |
| Conductor Material | Silver Coated Copper | Bare Copper |
| Dielectric Diameter | 0.285” | 0.285” |
| Shield | Double Silver Coated Copper Braid | Single Bare Copper Braid |
| Jacket | PVC | PVC |
| Overall Diameter | 0.425” | 0.405” |
| Weight | 138 lbs/MFT | 110 lbs/MFT |
Construction
RG214 features a silver-coated copper conductor, while RG213 features a bare copper conductor. Although both conductors are stranded, the material is what sets them apart. The silver-coated copper material in the RG214 coax is more conductive than the bare copper material in RG213 coax, so the RG214 has a smaller signal degradation than RG213.
In terms of shielding, RG214 coax offers a double-coated braid, whereas RG213 coax has a single bare copper braid. Both the shielding and the conductor material are the reasons for the significant price differences between the two coaxial cables. RG213 costs much less than RG214 because its bare copper conductor and single bare copper shield are much cheaper than the silver coating in RG214
| RG214 vs RG213 Electrical Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| RG214 | RG213 | |
| Min. Temperature Rating | -40°C | -40°C |
| Max. Temperature Rating | 80°C | 75°C |
| Max. Voltage | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Impedance (ohms) | 50 | 50 |
| Capacitance (pF/ft) | 32.2 | 32.2 |
| Max. Freq. (GHz) | 11 | 11 |
Looking at the electrical specs, RG214 and RG213 are pretty similar across the board. Both cables are able to withstand a high voltage rating of 5000V and have the same impedance, capacitance, and max frequency. The only slight difference between RG214 coax and RG213 coax is the maximum temperature rating; RG214 is rated at 80°C, while RG213 is rated for 75°C.
| RG214 Loss (Attenuation dB/100ft) | RG213 Loss (Attenuation dB/100ft) | |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MHz | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| 400 MHz | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Because RG214 has a stranded silver-coated copper conductor, it is easier for an electrical charge to pass through this material than it is for the charge to pass through bare copper. Overall, most of the differences between the two cables can be attributed to RG214 having a silver-coated copper conductor and RG213 having a bare copper conductor.
If you are unsure about what coaxial cable you’ll need in order to meet the needs of your application, consult with a qualified engineer or with one of Allied’s knowledgeable sales reps. To learn more about RG214 and RG213, visit the coaxial cable main product page.