Rockwell Automation 1786-RG6F User Manual

Installation Instructions

ControlNet Standard and High-flex Coax Cable

Catalog Number 1786-RG6/A and 1786-RG6F/B

About This Document

This document contains application information you need to consider when you install
standard RG-6 (1786-RG6/A) and high-flex RG-6 (1786-RG6F/A) coax cable in your
ControlNet network.

for information about this topic: see page:

Determining Trunk-cable Section Lengths 3

About Cable Attenuation 4

Installing ControlNet Cable 7

Cable Specifications 7

Publication 1786-IN009B-EN-P - November 2003

2 ControlNet Standard and High-flex Coax Cable

ControlNet is a trademark of ControlNet International.

Important User Information

Solid state equipment has operational characteristics differing from those of electromechanical equipment.
Safety Guidelines for the Application, Installation and Maintenance of Solid State Controls (Publication
SGI-1.1 available from your local Rockwell Automation sales office or online at
http://www.ab.com/manuals/gi) describes some important differences between solid state equipment and
hard-wired electromechanical devices. Because of this difference, and also because of the wide variety of
uses for solid state equipment, all persons responsible for applying this equipment must satisfy themselves
that each intended application of this equipment is acceptable.

In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages
resulting from the use or application of this equipment.

The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many
variables and requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot
assume responsibility or liability for actual use based on the examples and diagrams.

No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits,
equipment, or software described in this manual.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell
Automation, Inc. is prohibited.

Throughout this manual we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.

WARNING

Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a
hazardous environment, which may lead to personal injury or death, property damage,
or economic loss.

IMPORTANT

ATTENTION

SHOCK HAZARD

BURN HAZARD

Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the
product.

Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury
or death, property damage, or economic loss. Attentions help you:

• identify a hazard

• avoid a hazard

• recognize the consequence

Labels may be located on or inside the drive to alert people that dangerous voltage may
be present.

Labels may be located on or inside the drive to alert people that surfaces may be
dangerous temperatures.

Publication 1786-IN009B-EN-P - November 2003

ControlNet Standard and High-flex Coax Cable 3

-M

Determining Trunk-cable Section Lengths

A ControlNet segment is comprised of one or more sections of trunk cable separated by taps
and terminated at both ends. The total cable length of a segment is equal to the sum of all the
trunk-cable sections.

terminator

terminator

tap

IMPORTANT

TIP

trunk-cable section

tap

trunk-cable section

tap

20162

When determining the cable length of trunk-cable sections, make sure you
measure the actual cable path as it is routed in your network. Consider
vertical dimensions as well as horizontal dimensions. You should always
calculate the

three-dimensional routing path distance when determining

cable lengths.

Because high-flex RG-6 cable (1786-RG6F) has higher attenuation
than standard RG-6 cable, a segment’s total distance is reduced when
you use high-flex RG-6F cable. Since the amount of high-flex RG-6F
cable you can use in a system is less than the amount of standard RG-6
cable, you should keep high-flex cable use to a minimum. Use TNC or
BNC bullet connectors to isolate areas that require high-flex RG-6F
cable from areas that require standard RG-6 cable; this lets you replace
the high-flex RG-6 section before flexure life is exceeded.

Publication 1786-IN009B-EN-P - November 2003