#22 Comparison: Tin-Dipped, Hand-Formable Cable “UTiFORM” To Semi-Rigid Cable

206 Jones Blvd. Pottstown, PA 19464 USA
Phone: 610-495-0110 : 800-223-2629
www.micro-coax.com

Application Notes #22
Comparison: Tin-Dipped, Hand-Formable Cable “UTiFORM” To Semi-Rigid Cable

	UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid		UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid
PART NUMBER	UT-47-Form	UT-47		UT-85-Form	UT-85
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wire Diameter inch (mm)	0.0113 (0.29)	0.0113 (0.29)		0.020 (0.51)	0.020 (0.51)
Dielectric Diameter inch (mm)	0.037 (0.94)	0.037 (0.94)		0.066 (1.68)	0.066 (1.68)
Outer Conductor diameter inch (mm)	0.047 (1.19)	0.047 (1.19)		0.085 (2.15)	0.087 (2.20)
Weight grams/ft (g/m)	1.4 (4.6)	1.7 (5.7)		3.8 (12.5)	6.2 (20.3)
Bend Radius inside, inch (mm)	0.100 (2.54)	0.050 (1.27)		0.125 (3.18)	0.050 (1.27)
Maximum Temperature ( ° C)	200	150		200	125

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Impedance Ohms	50	50		50	50
Capacitance pf/ft (pf/m)	29 (95.1)	29 (95.1)		29 (95.1)	29.0 (95.1)
Velocity of Propagation	70%	70%		70%	70%
Corona Extinction Voltage (VRMS@60Hz)	1000	1000		1500	1500
Signal Delay ns/ft (ns/m)	1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)		1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)
Maximum Frequency Range GHz	95	109		54	61

MATERIALS
Wire	*SPCW	*SPCW		*SPCW	*SPCW
Dielectric	Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE		Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE
Outer Conductor	Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper		Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper

	UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid		UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid
PART NUMBER	UT-85C-Form	UT-85C		UT-85C-Form-LL	UT-85-LL
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wire Diameter inch (mm)	0.020 (0.51)	0.020 (0.51)		0.023 (0.58)	0.023 (0.57)
Dielectric Diameter inch (mm)	0.066 (1.68)	0.066 (1.68)		0.066 (1.68)	0.066 (1.68)
Outer Conductor diameter inch (mm)	0.085 (2.15)	0.087 (2.20)		0.083 (2.11)	0.087 (2.20)
Weight grams/ft (g/m)	3.8 (12.5)	6.2 (20.0)		3.7 (12.1)	6.3 (21.0)
Bend Radius inside, inch (mm)	0.125 (3.18)	0.050 (1.27)		0.250 (6.35)	0.250 (6.35)
Maximum Temperature ( ° C)	200	125		225	250

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Impedance Ohms	50	50		50	50
Capacitance pf/ft (meter)	29 (95.1)	29 (95.1)		26.6 (87.3)	26.6 (87.3)
Velocity of Propagation	70%	70%		77%	77%
Corona Extinction Voltage VRMS@60 Hz	1500	1500		1500	1500
Signal Delay ns/ft (meter)	1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)		1.32 (4.33)	1.32 (4.33)
Maximum Frequency Range GHz	54	61		52	64

MATERIALS
Wire	**SPC	**SPC		**SPC	**SPC
Dielectric	Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE		LD PTFE	LD PTFE
Outer Conductor	Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper		Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper

	UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid		UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid
PART NUMBER	UT-141A-Form	UT-141A		UT-141C-Form	UT-141C
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wire Diameter inch (mm)	0.036 (0.91)	0.036 (0.91)		0.036 (0.91)	0.036 (0.91)
Dielectric Diameter inch (mm)	0.118 (3.00)	0.118 (2.98)		0.118 (3.00)	0.118 (2.98)
Outer Conductor diameter inch (mm)	0.140 (3.56)	0.141 (3.58)		0.140 (3.56)	0.141 (3.58)
Weight grams/ft (g/m)	12.7 (41.7)	14.2 (46.6)		12.7 (41.7)	14.4 (47.2)
Bend Radius inside, inch (mm)	0.375 (9.53)	0.075 (1.91)		0.375 (9.53)	0.075 (1.91)
Maximum Temperature ( ° C)	200	125		200	125

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Impedance Ohms	50	50		50	50
Capacitance pf/ft (pf/m)	29 (87.3)	29 (95.1)		29 (87.3)	29.0 (95.1)
Velocity of Propagation	70%	70%		70%	70%
Corona Extinction Voltage VRMS@60 Hz	1900	1900		1900	1900
Signal Delay ns/ft (ns/m)	1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)		1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)
Maximum Frequency Range GHz	30	34		30	34

MATERIALS
Wire	*SPCW	*SPCW	**SPC	**SPC
Dielectric	Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE	Solid PTFE
Outer Conductor	Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper	Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper

	UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid	UTiFORM	Semi-Rigid
PART NUMBER	UT-141C-Form -LL	UT-141-LL	UT-250C-Form	UT-250A
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Wire Diameter inch (mm)	0.040 (1.02)	0.040 (1.02)	0.064 (1.63)	0.064 (1.63)
Dielectric Diameter inch (mm)	0.118 (3.00)	0.118 (3.00)	0.209 (5.31)	0.209 (5.31)
Outer Conductor diameter inch (mm)	0.140 (3.56)	0.141 (3.581)	0.246 (6.25)	0.250 (6.35)
Weight grams/ft (meter)	12.4 (40.7)	14.5 (47.6)	51.2 (168.0)	44.9 (147.0)
Bend Radius inside, inch (mm)	0.500 (12.7)	0.500 (12.7)	0.500 (12.7)	0.375 (9.53)
Maximum Temperature ( ° C)	225	250	200	100

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Impedance Ohms	50	50	50	50
Capacitance pf/ft (pf/m)	26.6 (87.3)	26.6 (87.3)	29.0 (95.1)	29.0 (95.1)
Velocity of Propagation	77%	77%	70%	70%
Corona Extinction Voltage VRMS@60 Hz	1900	1900	3000	3000
Signal Delay ns/ft (ns/m)	1.32 (4.33)	1.32 (4.23)	1.45 (4.76)	1.45 (4.76)
Maximum Frequency Range GHz	29	36	19	19

MATERIALS
Wire	**SPC	**SPC	**SPC	**SPC
Dielectric	LD PTFE	LD PTFE	Solid PTFE	**Solid PTFE
Outer Conductor	Tin-Dipped **SPC Braid	Copper	Tin-Dipped *SPC Braid	Copper

*SPCW: Solid Silver-plated copper-clad steel
**SPC: Solid Silver-plated copper.

Comments:

Some manufactures identify tin-dipped cables as RG402 or RG405. Many customers have actually specified RG402 and RG405 on their drawings for tin-dipped cables. It is important to beware of this potential confusion, since RG402 and RG405 are specifically semi-rigid cable designators.
UTiFORM cables are designed and sized to accept standard semi-rigid connectors for the same size semi-rigid cable.
UTiFORM cables can be stripped on standard flexible or semi-rigid cable strippers.
Micro-Coax has analyzed the “foil under layer” used by several manufacturers of tin-dipped cable. We have found that the under layer conceals poor braiding techniques and is not required when the braids are woven properly . Micro-Coax isolation tests show identical performance for our products and competing products with underlay.
A major advantage of UTiFORM over semi-rigid is the ability to hand form the cable into final position without the need for bend drawings and fixtures
A major concern of customers is the intensity of the tinned-braid through dynamic bending. Eventually all tin-dipped braids will begin to open under continuous bending. Our cables have endured 34 cycles of reverse 360 degree bending and performed identical, or better then the best competing products. It is important to note that 99% of UTiFORM will never see anything but a few bending cycles.
There will be a slight difference between effective dielectric diameter and measured I.D. of the UTiFORM braid due to the braid construction.

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