How do you test coaxial cable for signal strength

Demand for coaxial cable from home users is much higher than it was in the late 1990s, as high-speed Internet demands greater bandwidth from traditional cable systems. When coaxial cables are damaged by weather or household traffic, the performance of computer and television systems can be compromised to the point where neither medium is available. Coax failures, while a low-tech problem, can be difficult to diagnose without the right tools.

Step 1

Check the signal strength at the source. Trace your cable system to the point where the cable enters the local network. Unscrew the coax cable from the network side and connect it to the cable signal meter.

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Step 2

Record the signal strength for reference. The meter will display the signal strength in dbmV (decibels per million). Digital meters can automatically change scale, displaying hundreds of dbmV for the same output level, so be aware of the scale the meter measures.

Step 3

Reconnect the source cable to the decoder and trace it back to the first end of the connector. This may be on a splitter, connector, TV or modem.

STEP 4 Unscrew the cable from the terminal.

Unscrew the cable from the connected terminal and connect it to the signal strength meter.

Step 5 Measure the signal strength.

Measure the signal strength. Although a slight attenuation of the signal along the cable is to be expected, the signal strength should be approximately the same as the reference value. If this is not the case, replace the coaxial cable.

Step 6

Trace the remainder of the cable network and repeat steps 2 through 5 for each coaxial cable section in the network. the signal strength will decrease with each additional connection and cable length, severe attenuation will indicate a faulty splitter or cable. These defective cables and splitters must be replaced to maintain signal integrity.

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