Windy City Wire manufactures low-voltage SmartWire cables in the United States for commercial and industrial surveillance systems. Our RG 6/U CCTV Cable options deliver consistent video performance for camera-to-headend runs, NVR/DVR connections, and infrastructure tying large facilities together. Whether you are deploying HD analog, SDI-based video, or CATV-fed surveillance backbones, our rg6 cable lineup helps maintain signal integrity, simplify installation, and standardize projects across sites.
Built for professional integrators
SmartWire is the brand name of our low-voltage cable, engineered for reliable installation and repeatable results across jobs. All stock SmartWire cables include SmartWire Glide lubrication on the jacket to reduce pulling friction by up to 70%, supporting smoother pulls through conduit and tight pathways. Multiple shielding configurations are available to help mitigate interference in high-density electrical and mechanical spaces. Plenum and non-plenum constructions allow you to match building codes without compromising performance or durability.
- Signal performance you can specify: Bare copper or copper-clad steel center conductors to match run length, pull strength, and power delivery needs.
- Shielding options for noise control: Choose from bare copper braid, tinned copper braid with OAS, aluminum braid with OAS, and aluminum braid dual-shield constructions to suit your environment.
- Code-compliant choices: Plenum and non-plenum variants cover return-air spaces and general areas throughout the facility.
- Installer-friendly handling: SmartWire Glide lubrication supports efficient pulls and reduces rework in conduits, trays, and crowded pathways.
- Standardized deployments: Maintain continuity across properties using Coax RG 59 & RG 6 families with consistent materials and performance.
- Connector compatibility: Works with industry-standard rg6 connector types, enabling easy integration with existing rg6 cables and connectors in the field.
Where RG6 excels in CCTV
RG6 is commonly selected when camera counts are high, cable routes are longer, or systems require serial digital video transport. In mixed-technology environments, RG6 also serves as a dependable backbone cable for distribution equipment while remaining compatible with standard CCTV Cable topologies.
Available constructions
All options below are low-voltage RG 6/U and designed for commercial CCTV installations.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Bare Copper Plenum Low-Voltage: General-purpose plenum RG6 for surveillance camera and headend runs. Bare copper center conductor supports stable video with lower DC resistance for extended distances.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Bare Copper Plenum Serial Digital Low-Voltage: Plenum RG6 optimized for Serial Digital (SDI) video paths in security and monitoring applications. Designed for consistent impedance and signal quality in critical links.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Copper‑Clad Steel Plenum Low-Voltage (CATV): Plenum-rated RG6 with CCS center conductor for added tensile strength and CATV-based surveillance feeds. Ideal for long vertical or challenging pulls in return-air spaces.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Bare Copper PVC Low-Voltage: Non-plenum PVC jacket for standard spaces and general CCTV distribution. Bare copper center conductor supports dependable video and power over typical run lengths.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Copper‑Clad Steel Non‑Plenum Low-Voltage: Cost-effective CCS option for general areas and CATV-fed surveillance infrastructure. Suited for shorter runs and straightforward device interconnects.
- 18 AWG 1 Solid Bare Copper Non‑Plenum Serial Digital Low-Voltage: Non-plenum RG6 tuned for serial digital video runs where plenum rating is not required. Balances signal performance and installation efficiency.
How to choose
Select plenum constructions for return-air spaces; choose non-plenum or PVC for standard zones. Use bare copper when lower DC resistance is needed (for power or longer camera runs), and consider copper-clad steel when additional pull strength or CATV-centric paths are involved. Match shielding construction to the electrical noise level and pathway type to minimize interference.
Why Windy City Wire
Windy City Wire focuses on dependable products and solutions for professional installers. With SmartWire manufacturing in the U.S., rigorous materials control, practical installation features like SmartWire Glide lubrication, and a broad range of shielding and code-compliant constructions, we help teams deliver predictable CCTV outcomes across jobsites. Our application support and product consistency make it simple to standardize on rg6 cable across your portfolio while remaining compatible with common rg6 cables and connectors.
Summary of value
Partnering with Windy City Wire means your CCTV infrastructure is built on reliable, low-voltage SmartWire coax designed for real-world jobsite conditions. From plenum to non-plenum, bare copper to CCS, and multiple shielding options, our RG6 lineup provides the right balance of performance, code compliance, and installation efficiency—so you can complete projects on schedule and with confidence.
Solutions: Coax Cable RG6
Coax Cable RG6 for Commercial and Industrial CCTV
Windy City Wire supplies RG6 coax built for dependable, high‑signal‑integrity video in demanding commercial and industrial environments. As a dedicated partner, we focus on helping security integrators, contractors, and facility teams deploy CCTV Cable that supports today’s video formats, integrates cleanly with existing infrastructure, and stands up to the electrical noise and physical challenges common on large job sites.
Where RG6 Coax Fits in Modern CCTV Systems
- Traditional Analog CCTV (CVBS): Reliable baseband video transport for legacy cameras and DVRs. RG6 offers lower attenuation than RG59 for longer runs and stable images.
- HD‑over‑Coax (HDCVI/HD‑TVI/AHD): Upgrade to HD without pulling Ethernet by using existing coax infrastructure. RG6 preserves signal quality at higher resolutions and longer distances.
- SDI Video (HD‑SDI/3G‑SDI): Serial Digital Interface cameras and encoders benefit from the bandwidth and shielding options available in our RG6/U constructions designed for serial digital transport.
- RF Distribution and Modulated Channels: Distribute camera feeds as TV channels across facilities, hospitality properties, or campus networks using modulators on RG6.
- IP over Coax (with EoC Adapters): Extend or retrofit IP cameras over existing coax paths using Ethernet‑over‑Coax transceivers. Selecting the right shielding helps minimize packet errors and latency.
- Power and Control Considerations: For PoC (Power over Coax) or applications with DC return, solid bare copper center conductors are preferred. PTZ control may be carried via coax overlay (where supported) or separate control wiring.
Key Integration Scenarios
- VMS and DVR/NVR Headends: Stable video transport from camera to headend is essential for analytics, retention, and forensic review. Robust shielding mitigates interference near electrical rooms and mechanical spaces.
- Access Control and Intrusion: Use event‑based recording by linking doors, panels, and sensors to video channels. RG6 maintains video integrity for reliable event correlation.
- POS, LPR, and Analytics: Clear, low‑noise video improves license plate recognition, point‑of‑sale investigations, and AI‑driven analytics accuracy.
- Central Monitoring and Command Centers: High‑quality feeds reduce operator fatigue and improve situational awareness across large campuses and multi‑building sites.
Industries and Facilities We Serve
- Industrial and Manufacturing: Production lines, yards, and high‑EMI zones; shielding choices help combat motor noise and VFD interference.
- Warehousing and Logistics: Long‑run camera drops in distribution centers, docks, and yards where RG6 distance advantage over RG59 is beneficial.
- Utilities and Energy: Substations, treatment plants, and generation facilities needing stable video in harsh electrical environments.
- Transportation: Airports, rail and transit hubs, and seaports with centralized headends and diverse building types.
- Healthcare and Education: Campuses and hospitals that require plenum‑rated options for return‑air spaces and consistent performance for monitoring and safety.
- Retail, Banking, and Hospitality: Clear, tamper‑resistant video for loss prevention, guest safety, and compliance across large or multi‑site operations.
- Stadiums, Arenas, and Casinos: High‑density camera networks where strong shielding and serial‑digital support are important to maintain signal quality.
- Municipal, Public Safety, and Corrections: Secure perimeter and facility coverage, including long outdoor runs and centralized control rooms.
Selecting the Right RG6 Construction
- Plenum vs. Non‑Plenum: Choose plenum‑rated RG6/U when running through environmental air spaces to meet code requirements. Opt for non‑plenum/PVC where code permits and flexibility is needed.
- Center Conductor:
- Solid Bare Copper: Lower DC resistance; preferred for long runs, PoC, and serial digital applications.
- Copper‑Covered Steel (CCS): Common in CATV and RF distribution where tensile strength and RF performance are priorities and DC power is not required on the same conductor.
- Shielding Options:
- 95% Copper Braid: Excellent grounding and low transfer impedance for clean baseband and HD‑over‑coax signals.
- Braid + Overall Foil (OAS): Enhanced high‑frequency shielding for challenging RF environments and SDI transport.
- Tinned Copper Braid/OAS: Added corrosion resistance in humid or corrosive atmospheres.
- Aluminum Braid Dual Shield: Strong noise rejection for facilities with dense RF and electrical equipment.
- Run Length and Bandwidth: RG6 provides lower attenuation than RG59. For longer HD runs or higher‑bitrate formats, RG6 is often the better choice in the Coax RG 59 & RG 6 family.
- Compliance: RoHS‑compliant constructions support corporate and regulatory sustainability requirements.
Installation and Termination Best Practices
- Connectors: Use quality BNC compression fittings matched to the jacket and dielectric dimensions. Specifying rg6 cables and connectors as a system reduces rework. A high‑quality rg6 connector maintains return loss and ensures long‑term reliability.
- Grounding and Bonding: Proper bonding of the braid and headend equipment minimizes hum bars, ground loops, and EMI.
- Pathway Planning: Maintain bend radius, avoid tight pinch points, and separate from high‑voltage conductors to reduce induced noise.
- Testing: Verify continuity, shield integrity, and end‑to‑end signal quality. For SDI, confirm link margin at target resolution and frame rate.
Beyond Cameras: Additional Uses for RG6 in Security Ecosystems
- Backbone to Encoders and Gateways: Feed analog or HD‑over‑coax cameras into encoders for integration with enterprise VMS platforms.
- Facility TV and Digital Signage: Distribute live security feeds to control rooms or guard stations via modulators on rg6 cable.
- Retrofit Projects: Keep existing coax runs and upgrade cameras or headend equipment to modern formats to control labor and downtime.
Why Commercial Teams Choose Our RG6
- Application‑Matched Builds: Options for plenum or non‑plenum, bare copper or CCS, and multiple shielding configurations to align with performance, code, and budget targets.
- Consistency and Quality: Stable materials and tight manufacturing tolerances help deliver predictable attenuation, shielding effectiveness, and long‑term reliability.
- Project Efficiency: Clear guidance on selecting between Coax RG 59 & RG 6 for distance and bandwidth helps contractors reduce change orders and callbacks.
Whether you are standardizing on HD‑over‑coax across a large campus, transporting HD‑SDI from specialty cameras, or leveraging existing coax with EoC to move toward an IP architecture, our RG6/U constructions provide the signal integrity, shielding performance, and code‑appropriate options that commercial and industrial security projects demand.
Frequently Asked Questions: Coax Cable RG6
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What AWG conductors are available with these SmartWire Coax RG6 cables?
18 AWG.
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What other colors are these SmartWire Coax RG6 cables available in?
The stock jacket color is white. Additional stock colors are not listed for this item; however, SmartWire cables can be made to order with custom jacket and stripe colors. Contact Windy City Wire to discuss customization.
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Are these SmartWire Coax RG6 cables made with solid or stranded copper conductors?
Solid. RG6 options use a solid 18 AWG center conductor; depending on the specific model, the conductor material is either bare copper or copper‑covered steel (not stranded).
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What lengths are these SmartWire Coax RG6 cables sold in?
1,000 ft. At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire CCTV wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard length.
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How is your SmartWire low-voltage CCTV cables sold on spools or in boxes?
Our SmartWire CCTV wire is packaged in our patented RackPack carton for maximum jobsite efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack.