In order to have a fair idea of the quality and suitability of Shielded Cables for a particular application, you should have some knowledge regarding the process of their construction. Apparently, all the cables may look same but the internal materials and hence the characteristics of cables may differ considerably. Some of the basics regarding the materials used in the construction of Shielded Cables are discussed below.
Materials Used
Conducting Wire
Irrespective of the cable type, each cable has a conducting wire that carries the current to the electronic equipment. Usually, copper is used as the conductor. It is desirable to have conducting wire with a large area of cross section since resistance is inversely proportional to the area.
Insulating Dielectric
An insulating dielectric is used as a covering around the conduction wire. Dielectrics are generally fabricated from a polymer called Foam Polyethylene. The density of air trapped in the dielectric is crucial in determining its insulation properties.
Protective Shield
Shield, as is clear from the name, protects the central conductor against external electromagnetic and radio frequencies. Shield can be classified into four main categories namely braided shield, spiral shield, foil shield and twisted shield. For effective protection against external environment, the shield should properly cover the conductor. Braided Shields are woven braids that are made of Copper or Aluminum. They are highly conductive and provide very high coverage to the internal conducting wire. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other shields.
Spiral shields allow more flexibility to the cable. Foil shields provide effective coverage but they are not very flexible and durable. As a result, they are generally used in combination with braided shields.
Jacket Covering
Usually Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) covering is used as the jacket in shielded cables. The role of the jacket is to provide protection against environmental factors such as corrosion, weathering, jerks, etc. Jacket covering should be tough and durable to ensure the safety of the cable.
The above mentioned materials are used in the construction of Shielded Instrumentation Cable . For more details about Shielded Cables, you should log on to the websites of reliable Shielded Cables Manufacturers
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