Shielded cables are known by this name as they are shielded by strands of braided copper with a spiral tape or some other polymer taping. These are manufactured by insulated conductors with all the standard conductive layers. While comparing it with the normal cable, it is much more durable and is thicker than the usual cable. It is important to use it with much more care, so that it doesn’t get damaged. Shielded cables are mostly used in factories and industries where nearby equipment is likely to generate Electromagnetic interface (EMI).

Whereas, unshielded wires are thin, light and are mostly used for normal usage like for house fitting, office setting and similar cable systems. Although the cost of normal unshielded wire cost is less than the shielded wire, but these are not great for heavy power usage.  The shielded wire is the best wire for all the industrial uses as these are especially designed for industrial usage and for high power machines.

The basic and important property of shielded wire is that their cores are twisted that reduces EMI.

Uses of Shielded Cables:

Since the protection of data is a common problem in offices, factories, data centers and industries where electronic equipment or computer technology are heavily used, then the twisting of cores is really important.

EMI is generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit through an electrostatic coupling, conduction, or electromagnetic induction. EMI disturbance can also reduce the performance of a circuit or even cease its functioning altogether. Wherever a data path exists, these effects can vary from increased error rates to a complete loss of data. Both natural as well as the artificial (manmade) sources can generate the variable electrical currents and voltages that cause EMI. Vehicle ignitions and mobile phones are prime examples of artificial sources of EMI. Natural sources of EMI include electrical storms and the sun. EMI commonly disrupts AM radios, televisions, and mobile phones.

But, with the shielding in shielded cable, the volume and intensity of the electrical noise gets reduced, lowering its effect on signals and transmission while also reducing electromagnetic radiation.