# ANSI/IEEE coaxial cable symbol

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/ansi-coaxial-cable
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: W
Drawing use: Schematic
Reference families: IEEE / ANSI

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEEE / ANSI
Form: Coaxial cable with outer conductor outline
Independent illustration in IEEE drafting context; no equivalence of every detailed standard graphic is asserted.

IEEE-oriented coaxial cable drawn as a centre conductor with a surrounding outer conductor that terminates at each end.

## In plain English

### What does ANSI/IEEE coaxial cable mean?

IEEE-oriented drawings represent coaxial cable with a centre line enclosed by an outer conductor outline, often with the outer conductor brought out to a ground or connector shell at the ends. The convention is used on communications, metering time-sync and RF schematics in US-practice drawing sets.

### A simple example

This illustration explains the idea and is not a certified IEEE graphic. The cable impedance and connector types must still be given in text. Where the outer conductor is grounded at both ends between buildings, check for ground loop and surge transfer issues.

### What the drawings help you do

Read connector and impedance notes at each end. Check outer conductor grounding at building entries. The ANSI coaxial form has a current-carrying outer conductor; the ANSI shielded conductor form has a screen only.

### This particular reference

IEEE-oriented coaxial cable drawn as a centre conductor with a surrounding outer conductor that terminates at each end. The ANSI coaxial form has a current-carrying outer conductor; the ANSI shielded conductor form has a screen only.

### Terms

- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Schematic: A drawing showing function and connections rather than physical appearance.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/)
- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Connectors - No Wirenumber Changes](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-0B14FEAB-110A-4DD3-884E-0A2F8F9E76F7.htm)


## What it represents

IEEE-oriented drawings represent coaxial cable with a centre line enclosed by an outer conductor outline, often with the outer conductor brought out to a ground or connector shell at the ends. The convention is used on communications, metering time-sync and RF schematics in US-practice drawing sets.
This illustration explains the idea and is not a certified IEEE graphic. The cable impedance and connector types must still be given in text. Where the outer conductor is grounded at both ends between buildings, check for ground loop and surge transfer issues.

## How to read it

- Read connector and impedance notes at each end.
- Check outer conductor grounding at building entries.

## Information to show or reference

- State cable type or impedance.
- Name connectors at each end.
- Show outer conductor grounding.

## Important distinction

The ANSI coaxial form has a current-carrying outer conductor; the ANSI shielded conductor form has a screen only.

## Facts

- Convention evidence: IEEE 315 graphic conventions for coaxial cable (standards context only)
- Standards context: IEEE/ANSI 315-1975 covers diagram graphics; IEEE lists this edition as Inactive-Reserved.
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEEE/ANSI 315-1975: graphic symbols for electrical and electronics diagrams](https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/315/515/) — IEEE Standards Association. Graphic-symbol standards context and official status; not a source of reproduced artwork.
- [Autodesk IEEE Symbol Preview — Connectors - No Wirenumber Changes](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-0B14FEAB-110A-4DD3-884E-0A2F8F9E76F7.htm) — Autodesk. Public IEEE-oriented connector forms used at coax ends.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.