Editing F connector

{{Short description|Coaxial RF connector used for television and cable Internet}}
{{more footnotes|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox connector
|name               = F connector
|type               = [[RF connector|RF coaxial connector]]
|image              = File:F-Stecker_und_Kabel.jpg
|logo               = 
|caption            = Male F connector on cable
|designer           = Eric E. Winston
|design_date        = Early 1950s
|manufacturer       = Various
|diameter           = 
; [[Hex drive]] (male and female): [[Nut (hardware)#Metric hex nuts|{{abbr|A/F|across flats}}]] {{convert|7/16|in|mm|abbr=on}}
; Female: {{convert|3/8|in|mm|abbr=on}} external threads
; Male: Varies by cable size
|width              = 
|height             = 
|electrical         = 
|earth              = 
|maximum_voltage    = 
|maximum_current    = 
|cable              = [[Coaxial cable|Coaxial]]
|passband           = From 0{{nbsp}}Hz to, at least, 2.15{{nbsp}}GHz
|physical_connector = 
}}

The '''F connector''' (also '''F-type connector''') is a [[coaxial]] [[RF connector]] commonly used for "over the air" [[terrestrial television]], [[cable television]] and universally for [[satellite television]] and [[cable modems]], usually with [[RG-6|RG-6/U cable]] or with [[RG-59|RG-59/U cable]].

The F connector was invented by Eric E. Winston in the early 1950s while working for [[Jerrold Electronics]] on their development of cable television.<ref>[https://patents.google.com/patent/US3537065 Electrical Connector]. US Patent 3,537,065 by Eric Winston</ref> In the 1970s, it became commonplace on VHF, and later UHF, television antenna connections in the United States, as coaxial cables replaced [[twin-lead]].  It is now specified in [[List_of_International_Electrotechnical_Commission_standards|IEC 61169-24:2019]].<ref name="61169-24">{{cite web|title=IEC 61169-24:2019: Radio-frequency connectors - Part 24: Sectional specification - Radio frequency coaxial connectors with screw coupling, typically for use in 75 Ω cable networks (type F) |year=2019|url=https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/61451}}</ref>

== Description ==
The F connector is an inexpensive, gendered, threaded, compression connector for radio frequency signals. It has good 75 Ω [[impedance match]] for frequencies well over 1&nbsp;GHz<ref name="61169-24" /> and has usable [[bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]] up to several GHz.

Connectors mate using a 3/8-32[[Unified Thread Standard|UNEF]] thread. The female connector has a socket for the center conductor and external threads. The male connector has a center pin, and a captive nut with internal threads.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

The design allows for low-cost construction, where cables are terminated almost exclusively with male connectors. The [[coaxial cable]] center conductor forms the pin, and cable dielectric extends up to the mating face of the connector. Thus, the male connector consists of only a body, which is generally [[crimp (joining)|crimped]] onto or screwed over the cable shielding braid, and a captive nut, neither of which require tight tolerances. Push-on versions are also available.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Female connectors are typically used on bulkheads or as couplers, often being secured with the same threads as for the connectors. They can be manufactured as a single piece, with center sockets and dielectric, entirely at the factory where tolerances can easily be controlled.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

This design is sensitive to the surface properties of the inner conductor (which must be solid wire, not stranded).{{cn|date=March 2024|reason=WHY NO REASON??? >:(}}

=== Weatherproofing ===
The F connector is not weatherproof. Neither the threads nor the joint between male connector body and captive nut provide a water-tight seal. However, male connectors are commonly enhanced with an [[o-ring]] (of about 7{{nbsp}}mm) inside the captive nut. This seals between the mating faces of both connectors, providing some protection for the center conductor.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Alternatively, waterproof versions or enclosures are recommended for outside use (for example, on antennas). Corrosion resistance, reliability of connector electrical conduction and water resistance can be improved by coating all bare copper wires and the connectors themselves with [[silicone grease]].  <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm/ |title= Dielectric Grease vs. Conductive Grease|website=www.w8ji.com}}</ref>

== Usage ==
The cable and satellite television entities (as a near standard practice) use compression fittings with F connectors on customer premises. In Europe, block down-converted satellite signals (950–2150&nbsp;MHz) from LNBs and DC power and block signalling from satellite receivers are near exclusively passed through F connectors.<ref>
{{cite web
 | title = Understanding lnb specifications
 | url =  http://www.satcritics.com/sc_tech_lnb.pdf
 | work = SatCritics Technicals
 | date = 2002-11-15
 | access-date = 2017-11-29
}}</ref>

==Flex F connectors ==
Push-on (aka Flex) F connectors provide poorer shielding against microwave signals of high [[field strength]]. This leakage problem is more an artifact of bent or partly broken push on connectors, but is mostly not observed with compression connectors. Nearby television, FM radio, mobile & cordless phones, government [[radiolocation]] (54–1,002&nbsp;MHz)<ref>[http://www.cityfreq.com/ Cityfreq United States Scanner Frequencies, Phone Numbers, and IP Addresses.]</ref> transmitters can potentially interfere with a CATV or DTH Satellite reception or operation if the Flex connector is poorly installed.

<gallery widths=200 heights=200 perrow=3>
 File:Commutateur-diseqc4x1-switch.jpg|F connectors attached to a 4-way [[DiSEqC]] switch.
 File:Flex Coax Connector F Type.jpg|A visual collection of standard and right-angle coaxial F connectors, a commonly used but less documented form of the F connector.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Belling-Lee connector]]
* [[BNC connector]]
* [[Coaxial cable]]
* [[Component video]]
* [[Composite video]]
* [[Diplexer]]
* [[FME connector]]
* [[RCA connector]]
* [[Satellite dish]]
* [[TV aerial plug]]
* [[MCX connector]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* "F" Port (Female Indoor) Physical Dimensions, '''ANSI/SCTE 02''' 2015 (see [https://www.scte.org/pdf-redirect/?url=https://scte-cms-resource-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/ANSI_SCTE%2002%202015.pdf www.scte.org]).
{{Refend}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvE1vCX4HYw Compression Tool for crimping]
* [http://www.telcoantennas.com.au/site/guide-antenna-cables-connectors Antenna-cables&connectors]
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[[Category:RF connectors]]
[[Category:Television technology]]