Choosing the Right Type of Cable Shielding

Choosing the Right Type of Cable Shielding

Choosing the Right Type of Cable Shielding

You're here because you may need help choosing the right type of cable shielding... or you need to figure out what your options actually are. Read more below, check out our cable shielding comparison chart, or download our cable shielding types brochure.

When and Where to use Shielded Cable

Industrial applications are typically electrically noisy environments. Electrical noise, either radiated or conducted as electromagnetic interference (EMI), can seriously disrupt the proper operation of other equipment.

Insulation protects a cable mechanically from abrasion, moisture, and chemicals, but insulation offers no EMI protection. Because of this, shielding is required to reduce electromagnetic interference.

Cables can both be affected by EMI, and the source of EMI. As a source, the cable either acts as a conductor for noise, or radiates noise by acting like an antenna. The cable can also pick up radiated electromagnetic interference from other sources.

A cable shield works to combat both. Cables are available with various degrees of shielding and offer varying degrees of shielding effectiveness.

The type of shielding required depends on several factors, including the electrical environment, the level of protection that is required, and physical considerations like cable diameter, weight, and flexibility.

Practical Guidelines for Effective Shielding

  1. If your application is at all noisy, make sure that you select a cable with the appropriate level of shielding. In environments with moderate noise, a foil shield may be sufficient. If the environment is noisier, consider a braid shield or a combination foil-braid shield.

  2. Make sure that you choose a cable that is appropriate for your application. If the cable will be subjected to repeated flexing, be sure to use a cable with a spiral wrapped shield rather than a braid. Since continuous flexing can tear foil, avoid foil-only shielding in this use case.

  3. Noise elimination depends on a low resistance path to the ground, so you should make sure that the equipment which the cable is connected to is properly grounded.

  4. When using connectors, make sure the connector offers shielding effectiveness equal or greater to the cable's shielding effectiveness. This will ensure that you neither under or over specify your connector selection, in turn saving you money. Most connectors allow for 360 degree termination of the shield.

  5. Avoid using low quality connectors with high-quality cables and vice versa - a shielding system is only as good as its weakest point. Sticking to this rule will ensure your equipment works at peak performance and you don't waste money on products with mismatched shielding effectiveness.

Check out the types of cable shielding on our cable shielding comparison chart or download our cable shielding types brochure.



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