Allen-Bradley 1786-RG6 High-Purity Copper Network Cable

Product Overview

The Allen-Bradley 1786-RG6 is a high-performance, industrial-grade coaxial trunk cable specifically designed for ControlNet™ communication networks. Built with a high-purity copper core and a specialized dielectric, this RG-6 type cable ensures low signal attenuation and high-speed data transmission across the plant floor. Its robust construction is engineered to maintain signal integrity in environments with high electromagnetic interference, providing the backbone for deterministic, time-critical control architectures.

Technical Configuration

• Manufacturer: Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation
• Product Line: ControlNet Media
• Catalog Number: 1786-RG6
• Cable Type: RG-6 Coaxial Trunk Cable
• Conductor Material: High-Purity Copper
• Shielding: Quad-shielding for maximum EMI/RFI protection
• Standard Length: Typically supplied in 304.8 meter (1000 ft) reels

Technical Specifications

Installation & Signal Integrity

1. Trunk Cable Topology: The 1786-RG6 serves as the main trunk line for a ControlNet segment. It must be terminated at both ends with 75-ohm terminators to prevent signal reflections. Taps are used to connect individual nodes (controllers or I/O) to this main line via flexible droplines.

2. High Velocity of Propagation: With an 83% velocity of propagation, this cable ensures that data travels at a high percentage of the speed of light. This is critical for maintaining the deterministic "Scheduled" traffic timing required by Allen-Bradley ControlNet platforms.

3. Environmental Versatility: The 1786-RG6 is UL listed for indoor and outdoor applications. Its insulation and jacket materials are designed to resist industrial fluids and varying temperatures, ensuring a stable nominal capacitance of 67 pF/m even in demanding routing conditions.

Engineering Advantages

Using the official 1786-RG6 cable eliminates the variables associated with generic coaxial cabling. Because ControlNet operates at 5 Mbps, the impedance matching and shielding effectiveness provided by the quad-shielded copper core are vital. It minimizes the Bit Error Rate (BER) and prevents network jitter, which is essential for synchronized motion control and high-speed process safety systems.

Technical FAQs

Q1: Can I use standard CATV RG-6 cable instead of 1786-RG6?
A1: While physically similar, 1786-RG6 is specifically tested for industrial noise immunity and precise electrical characteristics required by the ControlNet protocol. Generic cables may lead to intermittent communication faults.

Q2: What is the maximum length of a segment using 1786-RG6?
A2: A single segment can reach up to 1000 meters (3280 ft) with two nodes. This distance decreases as more nodes (taps) are added, due to signal attenuation.

Q3: Does this cable require special connectors?
A3: Yes, it is designed for use with BNC-style connectors specifically rated for ControlNet trunk cables to maintain a secure, low-resistance connection.