ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Voice - Data - Video Discussion Ins & Outs of splitters

On a standard CATV splitter, does the input and output connections raelly matter, or is the splitter simply a splicing device?

Thanks,

John

Yes, it does matter.

If you open one up, you will see that it is a transformer with one primary winding and 2 secondaries, not a simple splice box.

If it were really a transformer with one primary and two secondaries the "in" and "outs" wouldn't matter and it would indeed be a "T" or splice. Ain't no such thing.

Anyway, answer your own question. Take a 2 way splitter and connect a cable drop to an "out" and a TV to the other "out". What do you get? Now connect the TV to the "in".

So, it passes a signal from the "in" to the "outs" and vice versa but not between the "outs".

This will hold true for any splitter configuration and if you want it to work observe the in port.

-Hal

All that "transformer" does is maintains the line impedance at 75 ohms and matches the input to the output.
A standard splitter will have this in it.
The better quality ones we have here in NZ have MOV's.
Don't forget also that there is often a power-pass feature for line-powering devices, this means that a diode is often included for reverse polarity protection.