How Shielding Can Solve Connectivity Challenges
Is your cable affected by electromagnetic interference, a short flex life, or too weak of a structure? Shielding might be just what you need.
Shielding protects cable and wire by increasing structural and signal integrity. Let's look at the specifics.
Three most common cable shields:
- foil shield
- box weave or basket weave braid shield
- spiral shield
Shielding Properties
It’s important to know how shielding functions and which works best for the properties needed. Then, you can feel confident that you have the right cable shielding solution for your end application.
Reduce Interference
The most effective shielding against interference is a combination of foil and braid shields. Foil will guard against high frequency noise and a braid will guard against low frequency noise. A combination of the two is ideal for signal integrity.
Increase Flex Life
Foil provides a layer of shielding without adding a lot of weight or cost, but when high flex life is required, it may not be the best material. A spiral shield provides more flexibility, but may have a shorter life span in high flex environments. A box weave, while stiffer, will stay together throughout the flex life of the application due to its interlocking nature.
Act as a Barrier
Tapes, wraps, and separators serve as barriers between a cable’s core components and the outer jacket material so that they do not bond together. Shields protect the integrity of the stranding and increase the resistance to damage, noise, and moisture.
Options
Each type of material and type of braid brings different properties and strengths to the table. Once you understand what you need in your shielding, find the right material and structure for the job. Configurations to isolate and separate internal components are customizable.
Foil
- Protection of components and/or entire core
- Reduces cross-talk
- Flexible
- Lightweight
- Cost effective
- 100% coverage
- EMI Protection
Drain
- Easy termination
- Grounding
Braid
- Superior structural integrity & physical protection
- Higher flex life
- Mechanical strength
- Slow process
- More costly and difficult to terminate
- Reduces cross-talk
- EMI Protection
Shielding may be the magic layer that could solve your connectivity challenges.