Question
Which of the following causes failure of coaxial cables?
Answer Options
- A) Moisture contamination
- B) Solder flux contamination
- C) Rapid fluctuation in transmitter output power
- D) Operation at 100% duty cycle for an extended period
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
The most common and most destructive cause of failure in coaxial cables (feed lines) is moisture contamination. Coaxial cable loss is highly dependent on the quality of the insulator (dielectric) between the center conductor and the shield. When water or moisture enters the cable, it replaces the air or foam in the dielectric.
Since water is a poor insulator for RF, the RF signal encounters enormous loss (attenuation) when it hits the wet section, degrading the signal. Once moisture has contaminated the cable, it causes permanent damage, requiring replacement.
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