How Do Cable Taps Work

A splitter/combiner is used to split or combine a single input port to multiple output ports, all with the same insertion loss per port. A tap, also called a directional coupler, would generally have at least 3 ports: Input, output, and tap.

What is a splitter tap?

A splitter/combiner is used to split or combine a single input port to multiple output ports, all with the same insertion loss per port. A tap, also called a directional coupler, would generally have at least 3 ports: Input, output, and tap.

What is a cable line tap?

Taps are used to connect drop cables to a distribution cable. A tap introduces a much higher signal loss to drop cables than is seen in its transmission path along the distribution cable. A two-port tap consists of a line coupling part and a two-port splitter as shown in Figure 3.7.