What Are the Specifications of a 3+1 CCTV Cable? B2B Guide

A 3+1 CCTV cable should be evaluated on its video conductor construction, power conductor material and size, shielding, insulation, outer jacket, and — where relevant — outdoor/UV rating and flame-retardant properties. "3+1" is a market/configuration term rather than a single fixed specification, so exact conductor sizes, materials, and construction can vary between manufacturers. Before ordering in bulk, a professional buyer should request and verify the actual datasheet rather than assuming all 3+1 cable is built the same way.

This guide is written for CCTV installers, dealers, distributors, and procurement teams evaluating 3+1 cable specifications before a bulk or repeat order — not a beginner introduction to what 3+1 cable is. If you're looking for that instead, see our 3+1 CCTV cable buying guide.

1. Cable Configuration: What Does "3+1" Actually Mean?

"3+1" refers to a cable that combines a coaxial video core with a separate power cable inside one outer jacket — one cable carrying both video signal and DC power to an analog camera. The "3" and "1" naming convention is a market term used across the industry, and it's worth being precise about what it typically includes:

• The coaxial portion — carries the video signal to the DVR
• The power portion — typically a 2-core power cable bundled alongside the coaxial core, supplying DC power to the camera

Exactly how manufacturers construct and label this can vary. Some suppliers describe the configuration differently, and conductor counts, sizes, and materials aren't standardized across the industry the same way, say, an Ethernet category spec is. Always verify the actual construction from the supplier's datasheet rather than assuming every "3+1" cable on the market is built identically.

2. Video Conductor / Coaxial Core

The coaxial portion is what carries the analog video signal, so its construction directly affects signal quality over a given run. Things a buyer should check:

• Coaxial construction — centre conductor, dielectric/insulation layer, shielding/braid, and outer jacket, in that order from the inside out
• Centre conductor material — typically copper or copper-coated steel, depending on the manufacturer; confirm which is used, since this affects signal transmission
• Conductor size — thicker conductors generally carry signal more efficiently over distance; ask for the actual diameter or AWG rating
• Shielding/braid — braid density and any additional foil shielding affect how well the cable resists interference over a run
• Dielectric/insulation — the material and consistency of the insulation layer between the centre conductor and shield
• Impedance — where specified, confirm it matches what your camera/DVR system expects (commonly referenced for coaxial video cable, though exact figures should come from the datasheet, not assumption)
• Compatibility — confirm the cable is suited to your specific analog camera system (standard analog, AHD, TVI, or CVI, where relevant), since transmission characteristics can differ

Don't assume every product labelled "coaxial" or "RG59-type" has identical internal construction — verify centre conductor material and shielding specifically, since these are the details most likely to vary between suppliers at similar price points.

3. Power Conductor Specifications

The power portion of a 3+1 cable delivers DC power to the camera, and its specification matters just as much as the video core, particularly for longer runs.

• Number of power cores — typically 2 (positive and negative), bundled alongside the coaxial core
• Core size — thicker cores carry current more efficiently with less resistance
• Conductor material — pure copper or CCA (covered in detail below)
• AWG / conductor diameter — request the specific figure rather than relying on the overall cable's outer diameter as a proxy
• Current carrying capability — should be assessed against your camera's actual power draw, not assumed to be sufficient for every camera type
• Voltage drop considerations — becomes more significant on longer runs; a thinner conductor or lower-conductivity material will show more voltage drop over the same distance

There is no single AWG or core size that's "correct" for every installation — the appropriate specification depends on your camera's power requirements and the run distance. A buyer sourcing cable for short indoor runs with low-power cameras has different requirements than one sourcing for longer outdoor runs with higher-draw cameras (like PTZ units or cameras with strong IR).

4. Pure Copper vs CCA

This is one of the most important specifications to verify in bulk procurement, since it affects both the video and power performance of the cable.

It would be inaccurate to claim CCA "always fails" or that pure copper delivers "zero signal loss" — these are engineering trade-offs, not absolutes. What's accurate to say is that pure copper generally performs more consistently for power delivery and durability, particularly on longer runs or higher-power cameras, and that the price difference between the two materials is a real and verifiable one.

Procurement verification: Conductor material claims should be checked against the supplier's datasheet, and where possible, a physical sample should be tested or inspected before committing to a bulk order — visual inspection alone often isn't enough to distinguish pure copper from CCA.

5. Cable Gauge / AWG

AWG (American Wire Gauge) describes conductor thickness — a lower AWG number means a thicker conductor. This matters for both the video core (signal transmission) and the power cores (current carrying capacity and voltage drop).

Why B2B buyers shouldn't judge cable quality by outer diameter alone: A cable can appear thick due to a heavier jacket or additional filler material, without the actual copper conductors inside being any thicker. The only reliable way to confirm conductor size is to check the specified AWG or conductor diameter in the datasheet — or, where in doubt, to have a sample tested.

Example for illustration only: a thicker power conductor (lower AWG) will generally support more current with less voltage drop over the same distance than a thinner one — but the specific AWG appropriate for your installation depends on your camera's power draw and run length, and should be confirmed against your actual requirements rather than treated as a fixed industry standard.

6. Outer Jacket

The outer jacket protects the cable and determines its suitability for different installation environments.

• Material — commonly PVC, though PE or LLDPE-based jackets are also used depending on the manufacturer and intended environment
• Jacket thickness — affects mechanical protection and durability during and after installation
• Mechanical protection — resistance to abrasion, minor impacts, and handling during installation
• Flexibility — affects how easily the cable routes through conduit, along walls, or around corners
• Environmental suitability — indoor-rated jackets are not automatically suitable for outdoor exposure; confirm the intended environment matches the jacket's rating

7. UV / Weather Resistance

For any 3+1 cable destined for outdoor use, jacket rating deserves specific attention:

• UV exposure — prolonged sun exposure can degrade jackets not specifically formulated for outdoor use, leading to cracking over time
• Rain/moisture — outdoor cable needs to resist water ingress, particularly at points where the jacket may be compromised
• Temperature changes — repeated expansion and contraction can stress a jacket not designed for outdoor temperature swings
• Jacket degradation — ask specifically how the jacket is formulated for outdoor durability, rather than assuming any PVC cable is "weatherproof"

Important: Not every PVC-jacketed cable is weatherproof. Outdoor suitability should be backed by the manufacturer's stated specification or rating — if a supplier can't provide documentation on outdoor performance, treat the "outdoor" claim with caution rather than assuming it's accurate.

8. Flame Retardancy

For indoor building installations — particularly in commercial buildings, offices, or multi-unit residential properties — flame-retardant cable properties can be a relevant procurement requirement, sometimes driven by building codes or client specifications.

• Ask whether the cable jacket has flame-retardant properties, and what standard or test (if any) supports that claim
• Request actual test or rating documentation rather than accepting a verbal claim
• Consider cable routing — installations running through shared risers, ceiling voids, or fire-rated compartments are more likely to have specific requirements

Do not accept or repeat a fire certification claim without documentation. If a supplier states the cable is flame-retardant but cannot provide a test report or standard reference, that should be flagged during procurement rather than assumed to be accurate.

9. Cable Length

3+1 cable is commonly supplied in market-standard lengths such as 50m, 90m, 100m, and 180m, along with custom or bulk lengths for larger orders. That said, these aren't universal fixed standards — different manufacturers may package cable differently.

Before ordering, verify:

• Actual supplied length — confirm the roll or box genuinely contains the stated length, not an approximation
• Manufacturing tolerance — ask whether the supplier states a tolerance range for length accuracy
• Packaging — roll, box, or reel format affects handling, storage, and how the cable pays out during installation

10. Cable Diameter

Outer diameter matters for practical reasons beyond just "how thick the cable feels":

• Conduit capacity — affects how many cables can be routed through a given conduit size
• Cable management — thicker cables are harder to route through tight spaces or existing infrastructure
• Reel/box packing — affects how much cable fits on a standard reel or in standard packaging, which matters for storage and logistics
• Shipping — bulk orders with a larger outer diameter take up more space and can affect freight cost

Important: outer diameter is not proof of conductor quality. A cable can have a larger outer diameter due to heavier jacket material or filler content, without the actual copper conductors being any thicker — this is exactly why AWG/conductor diameter should be checked separately from overall cable diameter.

11. Signal and Power Performance

It's worth evaluating video and power performance as two separate considerations, since they're affected by different parts of the cable's construction.

Video Performance

• Signal transmission quality depends on centre conductor material, shielding, and dielectric consistency
• Attenuation (signal weakening over distance) increases with cable length and is affected by conductor and shielding quality
• Connector quality at both ends also affects overall signal integrity — even a well-built cable can underperform with poorly terminated connectors

Power Performance

• Conductor resistance in the power cores determines how much voltage is lost over a given run
• Voltage drop becomes more significant as distance increases or camera power draw increases
• Actual power delivered to the camera depends on the combination of conductor material, size, and run length — not a fixed number that applies to every cable

Avoid supplier claims of "zero signal loss" or similarly absolute performance promises — these aren't realistic engineering claims for any cable over a real-world distance.

12. Connector Compatibility

3+1 cable is generally associated with analog and HD-over-coax CCTV systems — not IP camera Ethernet networking. Relevant connector and system compatibility includes:

• BNC connectors — the standard connector for the coaxial video portion, connecting to the DVR
• DC power connectors — for the power portion, connecting to the camera's power input
• DVR compatibility — confirm the cable and connector setup matches your DVR's input type
• Analog/AHD/TVI/CVI systems — where applicable, confirm the cable's transmission characteristics are appropriate for the specific analog technology in use, since these can have different signal requirements

For IP cameras connecting over Ethernet, CAT5e or CAT6 is the relevant cable type instead — see our guide on types of CCTV cables and our comparison of coaxial vs CAT6 CCTV cable for that distinction.

13. Indoor vs Outdoor 3+1 Cable

14. Professional Procurement Checklist

15. How to Read a 3+1 CCTV Cable Datasheet

Example specification format — not JUAA's specific product specification. Always request the actual datasheet from your supplier.

16. 3+1 CCTV Cable Specifications for Different Applications

18. Common Mistakes When Buying 3+1 CCTV Cable in Bulk

19. 3+1 CCTV Cable Specification Checklist for Dealers

Frequently Asked Questions