Buying Connectors
(Which to choose?)

Connectors come in all shapes and sizes, which tends to make it harder to make sense of the options. Here is a simple guide to help you decide which connectors are best for the application.

Finishes
Common finishes include tin, nickel, gold and silver. These options are both for looks and function. Different metals have different transmission performance levels and, as an example, silver is better then tin at transmitting electrons. Silver also cost significantly more than tin, nickel or even gold making these connectors more expensive, longer lasting and better looking.

Construction and Termination Process
Construction of connectors is typically completed by stamping, casting or turning metal into a shape, assembling parts and creating the connector. The different construction processes result in entry level through high performance connectors. Higher performance is defined as easy to work with to create the best, long lasting termination to a cable. Compression connectors consistently provide better signal pass-through and more years of trouble free service then crimp connectors.

So which Connector do I Choose? The answer is found in the application:

Application	Connector	Reason	Example Photo
Production Homes, no significant warranty offered	Tin coated, crimp or twist type of termination	Inexpensive, quick to terminate	BC1-FCON-RG6
Installation where cost is a greater factor than long term system performance	Tin coated compression connectors or gold/silver plated tool less connectors	Mid range of performance scale either compromising the coating or termination process to achieve cost constraints	BC3-F-RG6U
Installation where system performance and long term integrity is the determining factor, or where you don’t want to get service calls based on eroding connector integrity.	Gold or Silver plated compression connectors, rubber “O” rings and tapered ferrules to resist moisture.	Fantastic plating and termination process to assure the “best available” in the connector world.	BC5-F-RG6