Showerthought: Why do some coax cables seem to degrade faster outdoors?

I was out on a job today and noticed that the coax cable on the north side of the house was all cracked and brittle. The south side cable was fine though. Is it just the SUN exposure or something else? I heard that UV rays can really break down the jacket over time. But this was a brand from last year, supposed to be weather-resistant. Maybe the quality isn't what it used to be. I'd love to hear if anyone else has seen this pattern.

2 comments

2 Comments

jamie_garcia251d ago

You mentioned the SUN exposure, but I totally DISAGREE that UV rays are the main problem. I've seen cables fail on the north side too, and it's often about MOISTURE getting trapped, not just light. Also, that 'weather-resistant' label can be misleading because it doesn't account for TEMPERATURE swings over seasons. Saying quality isn't what it used to be is a quick blame, but maybe the INSTALLATION was rushed or the cable was bent too much. From what I've noticed, cables in shaded areas can still degrade if they're not rated for constant dampness. So it's probably a mix of factors, and focusing only on SUN or quality misses the BIG picture.

evahart1d ago

Back in my first year as a tech, I used cheap coax on an outdoor job without thinking. Now I cringe imagining those cables cracking, probably from both sun and rain. jamie_garcia25 is right that moisture plays a big part, not just UV. I saw a cable fail under a porch where it was always damp but never sunny. Temperature changes make the jacket expand and contract until it splits. So yeah, it's usually a combo, and my old work is proof.