RG-196 Cable

Description

RG-196 is one of the smallest coaxial cables in the RG family, designed for specialized 50 Ohm systems that require extreme miniaturization. With an outer diameter of approximately 0.9mm to 1.1mm, it is significantly thinner than RG-178, making it ideal for the most congested electronic environments. The cable features a solid silver-plated copper-clad steel (SPCCS) center conductor, which provides the high tensile strength necessary for such a fine gauge while ensuring excellent conductivity.

The cable’s architecture is built for extreme environments, utilizing a high-stability PTFE (Teflon) dielectric and a PTFE or FEP jacket. This allows the cable to operate reliably in temperatures ranging from -55°C to +200°C. Despite its microscopic size, it maintains high signal integrity via a silver-plated copper braided shield, which offers superior RF isolation and corrosion resistance. It is the industry standard for micro-pigtail assemblies in advanced medical probes, miniature drones, and satellite instrumentation. It is typically terminated with ultra-micro connectors such as U.FL, W.FL, or specialized SMA variants.

Key Technical Advantages

• Ultra-Miniature Profile: The sub-millimeter diameter allows for routing through medical needles, tight hinge mechanisms, and dense high-frequency PCB layouts.

• Extreme Thermal Resilience: The all-Teflon construction ensures the cable does not melt or degrade in high-heat industrial or aerospace settings.

• High-Frequency Capability: Optimized for stable performance into the GHz range, making it suitable for compact wireless modules and microwave links.

• Silver-Plated Signal Path: Both the conductor and the braid are silver-plated to maximize signal efficiency through the “skin effect” and prevent oxidation in long-term deployments.

• Minimum Weight: The lightest 50 Ohm coaxial solution, critical for weight-sensitive aerospace and portable medical equipment.

Key Features

• Cable Type: RG-196 / U Coaxial.

• Impedance: 50 Ohm.

• Center Conductor: 30 AWG (Solid Silver-Plated Copper-Clad Steel).

• Shielding: Silver-Plated Copper Braid (Typically 90% coverage).

• Dielectric: PTFE (Teflon).

• Common Applications: Medical sensing probes, ultra-compact drones, miniature wireless modules, and aerospace high-density wiring.

Technical Summary