Named after the two developers of the product as well as type of connecting technology employed, the Bayonet-Neill-Concelman connector (BNC) was created to have a connector that had a bayonet mechanism for locking. In this case, the locking required a pin in the male side to lock into place with the help of a spring in the female side. This prevented the two components from slipping, sliding and unhooking. Despite this being its formal name, it has gained notoriety as the Baby N connector, British Navy connector, and Bayonet Nut connector.

Uses of the BNC Connector

Since its creation, the BNC connector has had a large amount of applications. Its primary configuration is for the processing of analog and serial digital interface video transmissions. These SDI video transmissions typically are unencrypted and uncompressed digital video signals that are found in television facilities. Newer BNC connectors have been developed that can handle SDI-HD as well. They require more exact transmission because of the type of video signals being sent. Although not its main purpose, a BNC connector can also be used effectively as a handler of transmissions for audio interface.

There are a series of practical uses for a BNC connector in the work place today. Although they are slowly becoming obsolete, most equipment today still has the connection capabilities to use BNC. A few of its modern day uses are:

• Electronic test components have the configuration for a BNC connector.
• Aviation equipment sometimes uses a BNC connector; however, newer planes mostly do not have them.
• Those that cannot afford high level equipment for their radio shows typically use these because they are useful in antenna connections.

When the Internet was first being developed, the BNC connector was used in sync with the Ethernet networks. Coaxial cables were still being used; therefore, the BNC connectors were ideal due to the amount of data that they were capable of transfering. As Ethernet networks have evolved, there has been less emphasis on the use of coaxial cables. As a BNC connector is typically used with a coaxial cable, the use of BNC connectors in sync with Ethernet has become a less favored option.

BNC Connector Performance

People interested in purchasing a BNC connector can choose between two available sizes. The first is a 50 ohm impedance capability. The 50 ohm connector can transfer a frequency of up to 4 GHz. The other type, the 75 ohm connector can transfer a frequency of up to 2 GHz. Severe damage can be caused to the connectors if a 50 ohm connector is attached to a 75 ohm outlet or vice versa. This is exactly why they sport a different appearance with respect to each other, so that it is simple to distinguish between the two.

How-To Video Tutorials

This YouTube video is a clear, step-by step tutorial to connect a male BNC connector on an RG59 Siamese Coax Cable.

This is another BNC connector video tutorial, that elaborates on how to terminate a twist-on BNC connector for security camera installations and surveillance CCTV systems.