# Coaxial cable with earthed outer conductor

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-coaxial-cable-with-earthed-outer-conductor
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: W
Drawing use: Schematic
Reference families: IEC

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEC
Form: Coaxial pair with earthed outer conductor
Independent IEC-context combination of coaxial and earth forms; not certified IEC geometry.

A coaxial cable whose outer conductor is drawn connected to earth, recording the reference point of the RF or signal return.

## In plain English

### What does Coaxial cable with earthed outer conductor mean?

This form adds an earth connection to the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. On antenna systems the outer conductor is normally bonded to the building earth where it enters, often through a lightning arrester or earthing kit, and the drawing should show that bonding explicitly.

### A simple example

The earth mark on the outer conductor is not a statement that the inner conductor is protected from surges. Surge protection devices on the inner conductor are separate symbols. Reading the earth location also tells you whether the coax forms an earth loop between two buildings, which matters for interference and safety.

### What the drawings help you do

Locate the entry point bonding for antenna coax. Check for earth loops where both ends of the outer conductor are earthed in separate buildings. Earthing the outer conductor sets its reference; it is not the same as a coaxial surge protector, which clamps the inner conductor.

### This particular reference

A coaxial cable whose outer conductor is drawn connected to earth, recording the reference point of the RF or signal return. Earthing the outer conductor sets its reference; it is not the same as a coaxial surge protector, which clamps the inner conductor.

### 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.

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm)
- [AutoCAD Electrical: Earthing, sources and surge protection](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1E3FDEAE-B4B2-417C-8075-108AA2C6E509.htm)


## What it represents

This form adds an earth connection to the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. On antenna systems the outer conductor is normally bonded to the building earth where it enters, often through a lightning arrester or earthing kit, and the drawing should show that bonding explicitly.
The earth mark on the outer conductor is not a statement that the inner conductor is protected from surges. Surge protection devices on the inner conductor are separate symbols. Reading the earth location also tells you whether the coax forms an earth loop between two buildings, which matters for interference and safety.

## How to read it

- Locate the entry point bonding for antenna coax.
- Check for earth loops where both ends of the outer conductor are earthed in separate buildings.

## Information to show or reference

- Show where the outer conductor is bonded to earth.
- Identify any coaxial surge protection device separately.
- Reference the earthing conductor size for entry bonding.

## Important distinction

Earthing the outer conductor sets its reference; it is not the same as a coaxial surge protector, which clamps the inner conductor.

## Facts

- Graphic cue: Coaxial outline with earth symbol connected to the outer conductor
- Typical use: Antenna entry bonding and RF earthing
- Preview: Original educational illustration; consult the publisher and applicable standard for the exact graphic

## Public references

- [IEC-60617 symbol preview directory](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-7871E6EF-24D5-467E-9B74-321FEDC9DFDA.htm) — Autodesk. Public directory of IEC-oriented symbol families.
- [AutoCAD Electrical: Earthing, sources and surge protection](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-1E3FDEAE-B4B2-417C-8075-108AA2C6E509.htm) — Autodesk. Public IEC-oriented earth forms used on the outer conductor.

## 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.