In connectors, what is as important as achieving low loss?

• A. Ease of field termination
• B. Low reflectance
• C. Low cost
• D. Compatibility with many cable types

Answer: (B)

Minimizing reflections is as important as minimizing loss because a well-matched connection not only reduces energy lost as it travels forward but also prevents energy from bouncing back toward the source. When reflections are present, they create impedance mismatches that can distort the signal, cause standing waves, reduce the effective power delivered to the load, and potentially upset other components in the system, especially at higher frequencies. Keeping reflections low maintains signal integrity and system stability, which is just as critical as keeping insertion loss low. The other considerations—ease of field termination, cost, and compatibility with many cable types—affect practicality and installability, but they don’t directly ensure the impedance match needed to prevent troublesome reflections.