To Balun, or Not to Balun

by Intelix

Balun. n. A transformer which converts a balanced signal to an unbalanced signal and vice versa.

A balun is a small transformer which converts an audio or video signal from unbalanced to balanced and vice versa (hence the term "bal*un"). By doing so, baluns make the necessary impedance adjustment for audio-visual signal transmission between different wiring systems. In all fairness, however, not all baluns are true "baluns;" the term balun has become a synonymous with any device which transmits audio and video over structured cabling.

Baluns have been around for over 50 years; the first documented balun was developed in 1944 by Geanelli Guanella, a Bell Labs engineer. His balun was a 16:1 matching transformer constructed of coiled transmission lines used in radio broadcast.

Why should you use baluns?
There are several key benefits derived from using baluns and twisted pair cabling.

  • Baluns greatly extend the transmission distance of video signals
  • Baluns allow you to send multiple signals over a single cable
  • Twisted pair cabling such as Cat 5 is smaller and easier to pull and hide than traditional cable
  • Baluns help eliminate ground loops and RF interference
  • Baluns and Cat 5 typically cost significantly less than traditional cable over long distances

There are numerous applications for audio-visual baluns, some of the most frequent include: church and worship, home theater, corporate audio-visual, education, and security applications. Each has its own requirements, and each has baluns which are engineered as a specific solution for the application.

Church Applications for Audio-Visual Baluns.

Churches and houses of worship frequently use audio-visual baluns to distribute audio, video, VGA, DVI, HDMI, and USB signals throughout the sanctuary and greater building. Churches typically opt for structured cabling solutions because:

  • Baluns allow you to send ultra high resolution signals, such as DVI and HDMI, longer distances
  • Twisted pair cable is smaller and easier to pull than traditional cable
  • Twisted pair cable is smaller and easier to hide than traditional cable
  • Baluns help eliminate ground loops and RF interference
  • Baluns and twisted pair cable typically cost significantly less than traditional cable over long distances

Home Theater Applications for Baluns

Audio, video, VGA, DVI, HDMI, and USB baluns are frequently used in home theater applications, particularly because:

  • Baluns allow you to send ultra high resolution signals, such as DVI and HDMI, longer distances
  • Many houses already have twisted pair cabling, such as Cat 5, installed
  • Twisted Pair cable is smaller and easier to pull and hide than traditional cable
  • Baluns help eliminate ground loops and RF interference
  • Baluns and twisted pair cable typically cost significantly less than traditional cable over long distances

Corporate Audio-Visual Applications for Baluns