Signal Cable Selection for the VERITAS Observatory
Abstract
We describe electrical and mechanical tests performed on various coaxial cables to characterize their electrical properties and reliabilities. We use these properties, combined with additional information concerning weight, diameter, and cost, to select the optimum signal cables for the VERITAS observatory. We find significant advantages in using RG-59 Coaxial cable over traditional RG-58 cable. Stranded core RG-59 results in an 30-50% increase in effective mirror area over RG 58; solid core RG59 would result in a 84% increase in effective mirror area. Reliability tests demonstrate that although RG59 solid core will fatigue and fail after repeated twisting, this fatigue would result in a loss of approximately 10 cables over the lifetime of the VERITAS array.
- Publication:
-
International Cosmic Ray Conference
- Pub Date:
- July 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003ICRC....5.2835A