This article was co-authored by James Hornof and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. James Hornof is a Master Electrician and the Owner and President of B & W Electric based in Denver, Colorado. With over two decades of experience in the electrical construction industry, James specializes in field installation, management, estimating, and design. He graduated top of his class in electrical trade school and studied Business Management at The Community College of Denver. James holds a Master Electrician license in Colorado, Wyoming, and Texas.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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A cable cord is a type of coaxial cord used to hook up internet and cable lines inside of a home. You may need to extend this cord if you move into a new home and want to set your modem, cable box, or receiver up in an area your cord can’t reach. If all you need to do is extend the cord, this process is incredibly easy. All you need are an additional cable cord that will reach your port and a coaxial coupler, which is also known as an F-type adapter. Once you have the proper cord and coupler, this process shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes.
Steps
Measuring and Checking the Ports
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1Measure the distance from the cord to where you’re plugging in to. Pull your cable cord out. Grab a measuring tape and calculate how far you want to extend your cable cord by measuring from the end of the cord to the location where you want to plug it in. Write this measurement down to determine how long of an extension cable you need.
- Add 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) to this measurement if you want some slack in the cord.
Tip: You can physically extend a single cord by cutting and crimping it, but there’s no need if you already have a cable cord installed. It’s much easier to use a coupler to connect an extension cable since there is no cutting involved.
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2Find the cord’s connection type by inspecting the end of the cord. Grab the cable that you’re going to extend and inspect the metal piece attached to the end of it. Look in the middle of this metal piece to see if it has a thin piece of metal sticking out or a hole in the middle. If it has a piece of metal sticking out, it is a plug. If it has a hole in the middle, it is a jack. Jot down the type of connection and take a photo with your phone.[1]
- The photo will give you a reference point when it comes time to buy your coupler.
- Plug and jack connections are commonly referred to as male and female connections.
- If you are extending the cable cord coming out of your wall, it’s going to have a plug at the end.
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3Look at the port you want to reach and see if it’s a jack or plug. Inspect the port that you’re trying to connect your cord to. Check to see if there is a thin piece of metal sticking out, or a small opening for a plug. If you’re plugging in to a cable box or modem, it is almost certainly a jack. Take a picture and jot down the connection type to determine what kind of cord and coupler you need.[2]
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4Measure the diameter of the cable cord to figure out its type. Coaxial cables come in a variety of frequencies, and your extension cord must be the same type as your current cord. To determine the type, measure the diameter of the cord. If it is 0.275 inches (0.70 cm), you have a standard RG-6 coaxial cord.[3]
- The coaxial cords used for cable are basically universal—they’re almost always RG-6 cables. Occasionally you will see an older cable that is a little longer, but the vast majority of cords are essentially the same.
- If you don’t have an RG-6 coaxial cord, write the diameter of your coaxial cable down and take it with you to the store.
- There are actually four different sizes of coaxial cable that are commonly used, but RG6 is what you're going to see in mostly residential applications.
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5Purchase a coaxial coupler that matches the end of your preexisting cord. Go to your local electronics store and ask to see coaxial couplers for cable cords. The coupler is basically a small metal adapter that connects 2 coaxial cords. Your coupler will go at the end of the cord you’re extending, so at least 1 of the ends must have a jack for your extension cord. The other side must match the connection at the end of your preexisting wire.[4]
- If you have a plug at the end of your cable cord, get a jack-to-jack coupler.
- If you have a jack at the end of the cord, get a plug-to-jack coupler.
- Use your photo to double-check that the coupler will fit the cord that you’re connecting to.
- Coaxial couplers are also known as F-type adapters. Make sure that you aren’t buying an F-type adapter kit designed for installing coaxial kits, though. These kits are designed for installing an adapter on a new cord.
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6Pick up an extension cord that matches the coupler and port. Purchase an extension cord that is long enough to reach the port you’re connecting the preexisting cable to. Make sure that your cord has a plug on one end to connect it to the coupler. The other end of the cord must have a connection that matches the port in your cable box, modem, or server.
- If your port has a plug in it, get an extension cord with a jack on one end and a plug in the other.
- If your port has a jack in it, get an extension cord with 2 plugs.
- This cord must be the same type as the cord already in your wall. In most cases, this is going to be an RG-6 cord.
Extending the Cord
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1Twist the coaxial coupler into the cord you’re extending. Install the coaxial coupler by hand. Simply slide the coupler into the cord you’re extending and turn it clockwise until the threading catches. Continue turning the coupler until it won’t turn any further. You do not typically need tools for this.[5]
- If you have a coupler with flat sides around the bracket, use a wrench to screw the coupler in and secure the connection between the coupler and the cord.[6]
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2Attach your extension cable to the coaxial coupler. Take the plug end of your extension cable and screw it into the coupler by twisting it clockwise. Continue turning the cord until it won’t move any further. If you have a coupler with flat sides around the rim of the connection, use a wrench to twist it into place.[7]
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3Plug in your extended cable and test the connection. Take the final end of the cord and lift it up to the port that you’re connecting to. Insert the cord into the port and turn it clockwise to secure it. Continue turning the end of the cord until won’t move any further. Once your cable is extended, turn your TV, modem, or server on and test the connection.[8]
Tip: If the connection is still not working, there may be a problem with your cable provider or the wiring in your home.
Things You’ll Need
- Measuring tape
- Paper and pen
- Coaxial coupler
- Extension cord
- Wrench (optional)
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about cable cords, check out our in-depth interview with James Hornof.
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/pqOa2uwi2Vw?t=7
- ↑ https://youtu.be/pqOa2uwi2Vw?t=7
- ↑ https://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=ideas-and-advice/coaxial-cable-guide
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IHftRSaZTCc?t=12
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_HvOiZpeIWs?t=110
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_HvOiZpeIWs?t=97
- ↑ https://youtu.be/_HvOiZpeIWs?t=118
- ↑ http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2675100.pdf
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