RG6

RG6 Coaxial Cable

RG6 coax cable is the 75-ohm standard for cable television, satellite, broadband internet, and security camera systems in the USA. Our RG6 coaxial cable collection covers dual-shield and quad-shield builds in riser, plenum, and outdoor-rated jackets, available on 500 ft and 1000 ft reels for both single-drop repairs and full building installations. Every order ships tax-free across the USA, which keeps material costs predictable on bulk orders.

RG6 Cable: Technical Specifications

Every RG6 coaxial cable in our catalog shares a common electrical foundation, regardless of shielding or jacket type:

• Conductor: 18 AWG, solid copper-clad steel (CCS) or solid bare copper (BC)

• Impedance: 75 ohms

• Dielectric: Foam PE (standard) or Foam FEP (plenum-rated)

• Velocity of propagation: 84%

• Capacitance: 15.5 pF/ft

• Frequency: Swept and verified to 3.0 GHz

• DC resistance: Roughly 28.6 ohms/1000 ft for CCS conductors versus 6.8 ohms/1000 ft for bare copper

The conductor material affects performance directly. Bare copper carries lower resistance than copper-clad steel, so it loses less signal over long runs. CCS costs less and works fine for shorter, standard installs where distance isn't a concern.

Shielding Types: Dual Shield vs. Quad Shield

Shielding is what blocks outside interference from reaching your signal:

• Dual shield (60% braid): One foil layer bonded to a 60% aluminum braid. Suitable for single-family homes and light commercial use, away from heavy electrical noise.

• Quad shield (four-layer): Two foil layers alternated with 60% and 40% aluminum braids. This handles interference from fluorescent ballasts, HVAC equipment, and electrical conduit far better, which is why commercial buildings and multi-dwelling units generally spec quad shield.

Jacket Types and Ratings

Building code and installation location decide which jacket you need:

• CMR (riser): FR-PVC jacket for vertical runs between floors. This is the default choice for most in-wall residential and commercial installs.

• CMP (plenum): A low-smoke jacket is required under NEC Article 800 for air-handling spaces, including above drop ceilings and HVAC returns.

• Outdoor/direct burial: UV-stabilized polyethylene jacket built for underground runs, aerial spans, and direct sun exposure.

RG6 Cable Use Cases

• Internet: RG6 cable for internet carries a DOCSIS broadband signal from the ISP's tap to a cable modem or gateway.

• CATV and satellite: Feeds set-top boxes, DVRs, and satellite receivers with the bandwidth that 4K and 8K content requires.

• CCTV and security: Braid-shielded RG6, like our Belden 533945, delivers clean video to DVRs and NVRs over analog camera runs.

• Combination installs: Cat6/RG6 combo reels deliver data and video to the same outlet in a single pull, reducing labor on structured wiring jobs.

Choosing the Right RG6 Coax Cable

Match the cable to the job before you order:

• Indoor wall runs between floors → CMR jacket

• Above ceiling tiles or in HVAC plenum spaces → CMP jacket

• Underground or exposed to weather → direct burial/outdoor PE jacket

• Long runs or noisy electrical environments → quad shield, bare copper conductor

• Short, standard residential runs → dual shield, CCS conductor is enough

If your job needs a thinner cable for short CCTV baseband runs, our RG59 cable collection covers that use case. For long-distance head-end-to-tap runs where RG6 loses too much signal over distance, RG11 cables feature thicker conductors built for the extra length.

Certifications and Compliance

Our RG6 coaxial cable meets the standards installers and inspectors check for:

• UL 1655, UL 13, and UL 444 listings

• SCTE IPS-SP-001 compliance for CATV performance

• NEC Article 800 compliance for plenum-rated cable

• c(ETL)US listing from Intertek

• RoHS compliance

• TIA-568-C.2 compliance on select cables

Look for these ratings printed on the jacket to confirm the cable is legitimate and code-compliant before you close up a wall or ceiling.

Bulk RG6 Cable for Installers and Wholesale Buyers

A single RG6 coaxial cable 100 ft box rarely covers a real job once you count multiple drops per unit. Our bulk RG6 cable ships on 500 ft and 1000 ft reels, including Reelex, pull box, and open-reel packaging, so you pull exactly what you need without kinks. An RG6 cable roll bought in bulk brings the per-foot price down well below that of short pre-cut lengths, which matters on any job with more than a few drops. We supply RG6 cable wholesale for installers running multiple projects and commercial RG6 cable for MDU, hospitality, and office builds where volume and consistency both matter. Browse our full selection of Coaxial Cable For Sale if your project also calls for RG59 or RG11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RG6 and RG59 cable? 

RG6 has a thicker conductor and stronger shielding, so it carries the signal farther with less loss and handles higher frequencies. RG59 is thinner and better suited to short CCTV baseband runs.

Is RG6 good enough for internet service? 

Yes. RG6 is the cable most ISPs specify for coax-delivered broadband, and it supports the bandwidth current DOCSIS standards need.

Do I need quad-shield, or is dual-shield enough? 

Dual shield handles most residential runs fine. Quad shield earns its cost in commercial buildings or any run near heavy electrical interference.

Can I bury RG6 cable underground without conduit? 

Only if it carries a direct burial or outdoor rating, is a standard CMR or CMP jacket built to resist moisture and will degrade underground.

How much RG6 cable do I need for a whole-house install? 

Plan for roughly 100-150 ft per drop through walls and attics. A 500-ft or 1000-ft reel typically covers a full residential job with less waste than buying multiple short lengths.