Intermittent BNC Cable

[Tony3dd]

I ordered a MALE BNC TO BNC cable, and found out its intermittent, and only make contact when I pull on the ends slightly. Yet, when I check it with on continuity tester it's fine. What gives? It's a cheapo from eBay. The only thing I can figure is the the connectors are out of tolerance. I just find it weird that the continuity checks out fine, but does not work after connecting. Both my scope, and function generator are working fine.

[kibi]

If it is a cheapo then it may well be of Chinese origin. The Chinese seem to be afraid of anything metallic, favouring plastics instead. Now, the centre pin of your connector must be made of metal in order to conduct electricity. The Chinese will however endeavour to use as little metal as humanly possible and may have made it smaller than practical. It therefore does not fit snugly into its female counterpart. The pin rather flaps about aimlessly as if it were in a wizard's sleeve, thus only makes contact intermittently. Pulling on the cable it's self may be causing the centre pin to twist and make contact with it's mate.

[Tony3dd]

If it is a cheapo then it may well be of Chinese origin. The Chinese seem to be afraid of anything metallic, favouring plastics instead. Now, the centre pin of your connector must be made of metal in order to conduct electricity. The Chinese will however endeavour to use as little metal as humanly possible and may have made it smaller than practical. It therefore does not fit snugly into its female counterpart. The pin rather flaps about aimlessly as if it were in a wizard's sleeve, thus only makes contact intermittently. Pulling on the cable it's self may be causing the centre pin to twist and make contact with it's mate.

Makes sense! I ordered a new cable from Saelig, and it works great!