I'm curious if it's technically feasible to send power, particularly low-voltage DC, through standard coaxial cable like the ones used for cable TV. I understand it's not the most efficient method out there, but since coax is used to power things like antennas and satellite dishes, surely it can handle some level of power, right? Additionally, with our shift towards fiber optics and wireless technology, what will happen to all this outdated coax cable? I can't help but wonder if we could leverage it—like putting solar panels on utility poles to send power to home batteries via coax. What do you all think?
3 Answers
Coax cables have different ratings depending on their type. For example, RG-6 has an 18-gauge copper wire which might handle a few amps under the right conditions, but connecting a large solar array could be risky. You could fry the cable pretty easily if you're not careful.
Some types of coax can withstand the voltage from smaller solar setups—technically rated for several hundred volts, but the real limitation is how much current you can draw. Typically, coax is only good for about an amp of continuous current. Even a medium-sized solar panel setup could easily overload it and cause damage.
Yes, you can technically transmit power through coaxial cable, but don't expect to push much through it. The gauge of the wire is pretty small, which limits the amount of current you can safely carry. The impedance of coax isn't a big deal for low DC voltages either, so that's not something to worry about here.
Impedance can be an issue if you're dealing with AC or high-frequency signals, but for DC, the resistance of the conductor itself is what really matters.