Explore the six most common electrical cable shielding methods: Foil, Braided, Spiral, Serve, Combination, and Metal-In.
Understanding Electrical Cable Shielding Methods
The electrical cable shielding is an integral aspect of cable design, responsible for the prevention of electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring signal integrity, and enhancing the overall performance of cables. This shielding is particularly crucial in environments with high electrical noise, including industrial settings, hospitals, and data centers. In this article, we’ll explore six common electrical cable shielding methods.
1. Foil Shielding
Foil shielding utilizes thin layers of aluminum or copper foils around individual wires or grouped conductors. It offers excellent coverage and is cost-effective, making it a popular choice for various applications. However, it’s less durable and not suitable for applications that require flexing.
2. Braided Shielding
Braided shielding comprises interwoven strands of copper or other metals, providing excellent strength, flexibility, and EMI protection. However, its coverage isn’t 100%, usually between 70% to 95%, and it is typically costlier than foil shielding.
3. Spiral Shielding
Spiral shielding employs a spiral wrap of a metallic conductor around the cable core. This shielding type provides flexibility and is excellent for applications that require frequent flexing. But it might offer less effective EMI protection compared to braided and foil shielding.
4. Serve or Helical Shielding
Serve or Helical shielding is similar to spiral shielding, but the metal wires are wrapped in a single direction around the cable. This method offers better flexure than braided shielding but slightly less EMI protection.
5. Combination Shielding
Combination shielding combines two or more shielding methods, typically foil and braided shielding, to maximize EMI protection. This is ideal for high-noise environments but is more expensive due to the increased material and manufacturing costs.
6. Metal-In Shielding
Metal-In shielding features a layer of polymer with a metal coating on the inside. This shielding type offers similar EMI protection to foil shielding, but with improved durability and flexibility.
In conclusion, the choice of cable shielding depends on various factors such as the application, environment, flexibility, and cost. By understanding these common shielding methods, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
