What is a Coaxial Splitter?

A splitter is a hardware device that expands the number of electrical devices that can be attached to a single electrical wire. A coaxial splitter adds an additional post to a single coaxial cable line, enabling different cable devices to utilize the same wire. The most typical type of splitter is a two-way splitter, which allows cable consumers to attach two devices to the same line.

A splitter may be used when a consumer orders both cable service and telephone service through her local cable company. Rather than using a telephone line to provide phone service, cable companies deliver it through the cable line. Companies such as Comcast and Cox typically provide consumers with a device called a high-speed Internet modem that plugs into the outside cable line. The consumer plugs her phone into the high-speed modem to access her phone service. This means that, if the consumers wants to hook her phone up in the same room where she watches television, she will need to plug both her TV cable box and her high-speed Internet modem into the same cable line, using a coaxial splitter to "split" the single line so that it can support both devices simultaneously.

Some consumers may worry that attaching multiple devices to a single cable line will reduce the quality of their phone, cable or Internet service. In general, a two-way coaxial splitter will not interfere with any of the services provided by the cable company. 

A coaxial splitter can typically be obtained on request from a cable company, or from an electronics store such as Radio Shack.