Guide to Choosing the Right Coaxial Cable 3C 4C 5C Compared

In home entertainment systems, coaxial cables play a crucial role in determining the quality of video and audio signal transmission. Selecting the appropriate coaxial cable specification not only ensures stable signal delivery but also enhances your viewing experience. However, consumers often face confusion when navigating the market's array of 3C, 4C, and 5C specifications. This comprehensive guide examines the characteristics, ideal applications, and selection criteria for these three common coaxial cable types.

The market primarily offers three coaxial cable specifications: 3C, 4C, and 5C, each with distinct physical dimensions, performance parameters, and application scenarios. Your selection should carefully consider actual usage requirements and wiring distances to achieve optimal signal transmission.

The 3C coaxial cable is the slimmest of the three specifications, featuring an outer diameter of approximately 5.4 mm and excellent flexibility. This cable is particularly suitable for short-distance wiring around televisions, such as connecting TVs to DVD players or set-top boxes. Its bendable nature makes installation simple, even for beginners. However, 3C cables experience relatively higher signal attenuation, making them unsuitable for runs exceeding 3 meters, where signal quality noticeably degrades.

With a characteristic impedance of 75Ω, 3C cables effectively suppress external noise interference while maintaining stable video and audio signal transmission. These characteristics make them ideal for short-distance applications where extreme signal strength isn't critical.

The 4C coaxial cable, with a 6.0 mm outer diameter, represents the most commonly used specification for home installations, striking an optimal balance between performance and usability. Its 75Ω impedance and double-shielded structure effectively block electromagnetic interference, delivering high-quality signal transmission that fully supports 2K and 4K broadcast television requirements.

Compared to 5C cables, 4C's thinner jacket provides superior flexibility, simplifying installation in residential environments. The lighter weight further enhances handling convenience. Utilizing foam polyethylene insulation, 4C cables feature low-loss characteristics that minimize signal attenuation. This well-rounded performance profile makes 4C cables the preferred choice for standard home wiring.

Measuring 7.7 mm in diameter, 5C coaxial cables represent the thickest and highest-performance option, specifically engineered for long-distance wiring. The double-shielded construction effectively suppresses external noise interference, ensuring stable signal transmission for 3K and 2K broadcast television reception.

5C cables employ foam polyethylene insulation to minimize signal attenuation. Despite their heavier weight (approximately 63 kg/km), they maintain excellent radio wave transmission efficiency, preserving image stability even across distances exceeding 10 meters. These cables demonstrate remarkable durability in outdoor environments and maintain stable transmission characteristics across various frequency ranges. However, their thickness and weight make them challenging to install in confined spaces.

Optimal coaxial cable selection depends primarily on wiring distance, with different specifications recommended for short, medium, and long runs based on signal attenuation and installation considerations.

For connections under 3 meters, 3C cables are ideal. Their 5.4 mm diameter and excellent flexibility make them perfect for television-centric setups, allowing easy installation even in tight spaces behind entertainment centers. The minimal signal attenuation at these distances eliminates the need for thicker cables, while the slender profile enables cleaner wiring.

4C cables represent the best choice for medium-distance wiring. Their 6 mm diameter provides the perfect equilibrium between signal preservation and installation convenience, making them the standard for residential backbone wiring. These cables maintain stable image quality across typical room dimensions (6-8 tatami mat areas) and support clean multi-device connections.

For runs exceeding 10 meters (up to 20 meters), 5C cables deliver uncompromised performance. Their 7.7 mm diameter and robust construction make them suitable for whole-house distribution, outdoor installations, and community reception facilities. The double-shielded design guarantees interference-free transmission even across extended distances. For exceptionally long runs (20-50 meters), 7C cables (10 mm diameter) become necessary, particularly in multi-dwelling shared reception systems.

Beyond distance considerations, optimal coaxial cable selection should account for specific usage environments and purposes.

• TV-centric short-distance connections (under 3 meters)
• AV rack installations requiring maximum flexibility
• Security camera video transmission

• Standard residential wiring along walls and behind furniture
• Multi-device entertainment setups
• General indoor installations requiring balance between performance and ease of installation

• Apartment building antenna distribution systems
• Outdoor and building backbone wiring
• 4K/8K broadcast viewing requiring premium signal quality

When selecting coaxial cables, several critical factors ensure stable video and audio signal transmission.

Impedance matching is paramount—75Ω for television equipment versus 50Ω for wireless devices. Mismatched impedance causes signal reflection and distortion, significantly degrading quality. Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) denote 50Ω cables with "D" and 75Ω with "C" in product names.

Select cable thickness based on distance: 3C for under 3 meters, 5C for 4-10 meters, and 10C beyond 5 meters. Thicker cables better prevent signal attenuation, especially for high-frequency 4K/8K broadcasts, but increase installation difficulty.

High-frequency 4K/8K broadcasts (up to 3224MHz) require specialized cables. Look for products labeled with "S" prefixes or explicit "4K/8K compatible" markings, ensuring 75Ω impedance and 3224MHz frequency support as per JIS standards.