Our 100% Guarantee:

  • Low Cost Shipping
  • Best Prices and Warranties
  • 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
  • World-Class Customer Service

8:00AM - 5:00PM (PST) M-F

Call Us! We Answer the Phone

Authorized Distributor

BNC Connectors: Types and Applications

March 13 2012

Are you using the best BNC connector for your security camera installation? Choose the BNC connector that will ensure your surveillance system performs! 

The two most common BNC connector types are crimp and compression style. BNC connectors are the most common connectors used to terminate RG59 coaxial cables in CCTV camera installations. From far away BNC connectors look very complicated and difficult to work with. But the truth is terminating a BNC connector is no harder or more complicated than installing any other connector types. 

In a CCTV installation the RG59 coaxial cable is used for the video signal and has both sides terminated with BNC connectors. Both the CCTV camera and the security DVR (Digital Video Recorder) have on-board female BNC connectors that allow you to easily connect a terminated RG59 cable via male BNC connectors to each one of them. The RG59 coaxial cable is the pipe that delivers the video from the cameras to the DVR. A BNC connector has a locking mechanism that locks the cable to devices it is attached to. It is almost impossible to pull a BNC terminate cable off a device because the BNC connectors are actually locked together. The BNC connector is one of the strongest connector types ever made which makes it ideal for critical high performance video applications! 

A crimp BNC connector is an older style connector that is still commonly used today. Crimping a BNC connector on the cable basically entails the act of crushing the base of a connector onto the coaxial cable. As you crimp the BNC connector with a crimp tool the metal of the connector deforms around the cable forcing the connector to create a strong connection. Compression style BNC connectors are much different because they feature an internal sleeve that is clamped onto the cable giving the BNC connection a 360 degree compression crimp. The 360 degree compression connection closes all spaces between the connector and the cable making it impossible for moisture and dust particles to enter the termination. If dust and moisture make it into the termination they could very well eventually cause corrosion or completely damage the connection. Because crimp BNC connectors are just crushing the metal around the cable it is not always left air tight. So eventually the crimp BNC connectors can go bad or cause the connection to fail. This is why the use of compression BNC connectors is the #`1 solution for terminating RG59 coaxial cables in CCTV video installations. 

Did you know that 80% of the service calls or video signal issues in CCTV installations are BNC connector related? Many of those service calls are due to poorly terminated BNC connectors. If you are looking for the best long lasting termination type for your CCTV system installations then compression BNC connectors are the best option for you! Upgrading your current connector system can be very easy! If you are looking to get into a compression connector system all you need is a good compression tool and compression BNC connectors. Most compression tools will allow you to do more than just BNC connectors. A common compression tool will most commonly allow you to terminate RCA, F, speaker, and BNC connectors with the same tool! Don’t let poor connectors and tools affect the success of your CCTV projects. Do your research and get the connectors and tools that will allow you to do the job right the first time!