should I worry? Cable internet signal degradation across multiple couplings

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Feb 7th, 2017 2:22 pm

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Feb 5th, 2017 1:02 pm

SomeOtherDude [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Nov 23, 2008; 5020 posts; 1623 upvotes

Feb 5th, 2017 1:02 pm

should I worry? Cable internet signal degradation across multiple couplings

I was just wondering if this is a concern, or not at all because its all digital anyways.
My cable internet comes in at the basement. Then it connects to one wire through a male-male coupling. Then, it that cable connects to another male-male coupling, before it finally gets to the cable modem.
So, there's like 4 connections before it gets to the modem. can this affect the internet reliability or stability in any way?
would a signal booster along the way help at all?

5 replies

Feb 5th, 2017 8:57 pm

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 33721 posts; 7359 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Feb 5th, 2017 8:57 pm

These couplings you're referring to, I am assuming they are used to extend the length of the cable and not to divide the cable

If that's the case, then you're fine and you don't need a booster.

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Feb 6th, 2017 4:39 pm

death_hawk: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2006; 27311 posts; 13015 upvotes

Feb 6th, 2017 4:39 pm

Every splice still introduces signal loss.
Why are you splicing a bunch of cables together? Can you replace them with one cable?

Also none of this is necessary if you don't have signal issues.

Feb 7th, 2017 8:10 am

will888: Deal Expert; Dec 12, 2009; 20398 posts; 8430 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 7th, 2017 8:10 am

It should not be a big deal as long as good quality compression fittings are used. The amount of connectors, splitters and cabling between the box on the side of the house and my cable modem is scary. I still get signal to noise ratio that is near 40. Signal strength rarely dips to -5 dB because Rogers is able to manipulate the strength of the incoming signal. The only thing that suffers irreparable degradation is return path impedance. If only the cable modem was smart enough to adjust its output...

Feb 7th, 2017 11:39 am

EugW: Deal Expert; Mar 23, 2009; 19421 posts; 5481 upvotes; Toronto

Feb 7th, 2017 11:39 am

Yes, every coupler introduces signal loss and noise. As death_hawk says, if you're linking a whole bunch of short cables together this way, that is not a good idea. Ideally, it should be a single continuous good quality cable.

However, if the signal is within normal parameters, then it's fine. However, if it is borderline, then yes, most definitely it can affect both TV and internet. A signal booster can help in certain situations, but be aware that signal boosters not only amplify the signal, they also amplify the noise. If you don't need a signal booster then don't install one.

Probably the best thing you can do here is post your line stats from the modem. Ideally signal levels should be around 0 dBmV but moderate deviation from that (eg. between -10 to +10) is OK, with a high signal-to-noise ratio of say 35 dB or higher. Transmit/Upstream power should be between around 35 dBmV to around 50 dBmV.

BTW, we're assuming you are NOT referring to a cable splitter, like this:

Those introduce a 3.5 dB loss at every split.

Feb 7th, 2017 2:22 pm

SomeOtherDude [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Nov 23, 2008; 5020 posts; 1623 upvotes

Feb 7th, 2017 2:22 pm

EugW wrote: ↑ Yes, every coupler introduces signal loss and noise. As death_hawk says, if you're linking a whole bunch of short cables together this way, that is not a good idea. Ideally, it should be a single continuous good quality cable.

However, if the signal is within normal parameters, then it's fine. However, if it is borderline, then yes, most definitely it can affect both TV and internet. A signal booster can help in certain situations, but be aware that signal boosters not only amplify the signal, they also amplify the noise. If you don't need a signal booster then don't install one.

Probably the best thing you can do here is post your line stats from the modem. Ideally signal levels should be around 0 dBmV but moderate deviation from that (eg. between -10 to +10) is OK, with a high signal-to-noise ratio of say 35 dB or higher. Transmit/Upstream power should be between around 35 dBmV to around 50 dBmV.

BTW, we're assuming you are NOT referring to a cable splitter, like this:

Those introduce a 3.5 dB loss at every split.

Right, not a splitter like in the picture

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