Shielded cables – find manufacturers and suppliers

Shielded cables minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), which reduces signal loss and improves transmission quality.

They are essential for the reliable transmission of electrical signals, especially in environments prone to interference.

Below you will find the functionality, structure and types of shielded cables, an overview of their areas of application and their advantages:

How shielded cables work:

A shielded cable consists of several layers that provide electrical shielding.
The shielding acts as a Faraday cage by dissipating or absorbing external interference.

Structure of shielded cables:

A typical shielded cable consists of the following layers:

1. Conductor (cable core):
   Copper or aluminum (single wire or stranded).
   Responsible for signal transmission.
2. Insulation:
   Separation of the conductors to prevent short circuits:
   Material: PVC, Teflon, polyethylene (PE):
3. Shielding:
   Protects the signal from external interference.
4. Outer sheath:
   Protection against mechanical, chemical and thermal influences.
   Material: PVC, PUR, LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen).

Types and properties of shielding for shielded cables:

1. Braided shielding (wire braiding):
   Consists of fine copper or aluminum wires woven into a braid.
   Provides mechanical stability and good protection against low-frequency interference (e.g. power lines).
   Disadvantage: Less effective against high-frequency interference.
2. Foil shielding (aluminum or copper foil):
   Dissipates interference very well, especially against high-frequency signals (e.g. radio waves, WLAN).
   It is thin and light, but mechanically not as robust as a braid.
   Often combined with a drain wire to improve dissipation.
3. Double or combination shielding:
   Combination of foil + braid to combine both protection mechanisms.
   Particularly useful in extremely interference-prone environments (e.g. industry, high-frequency technology).

Use of shielded cables:

Shielded cables are used in many areas where interference can affect signal quality.

1. Industry and automation:
Use: machine controls, robotics, sensor cables.
Protection against electromagnetic interference from motors, frequency converters and high-current cables.
Ensures reliable communication in industrial networks, e.g. PROFIBUS, CAN bus.

2. Telecommunications & network technology:
Use: Ethernet cables, fiber optic hybrid cables, telephone lines.
Reduces interference from neighboring data lines.
Important for secure and fast data transmission, e.g. in data centers.

3. Audio and studio technology:
Application: Microphone and loudspeaker cables, AF cables.
Prevents interference from high-voltage lines or radio frequencies.
Necessary for clear, interference-free audio transmission.

4. Medical technology:
Use: Diagnostic equipment, ECG/EEG cables.
Protection against external interference to ensure precise measurement results.
Important in sensitive environments, e.g. operating theaters.

5. Aerospace and automotive:
Application: Aircraft and automotive cabling.
Protection against electromagnetic interference from on-board electronics.
Important for safety-critical systems such as ABS, ESP and flight control systems.

Advantages of shielded cables:

• Protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI)
• Higher signal quality and lower losses
• Necessary for sensitive data and control lines
• Increased safety in critical applications (e.g. medical technology, aviation)

A good understanding of how shielded cables work and the right choice can help to avoid signal interference, keep networks stable and ensure safe electrical connections.

Here is an overview of the most important points to consider when buying shielded cables:

When purchasing shielded cables, there are several technical and economic factors to consider to ensure optimal signal transmission, longevity and cost-effectiveness.

• Before a cable is purchased, it should be determined exactly what requirements it must fulfill:
• Is the cable to be used in industrial, medical, networking or audio applications?
• Will the cable be exposed to mechanical stress or extreme temperatures?
• Does it need to be resistant to chemicals, oil or UV radiation?
• What type of signal should be transmitted and in what frequency range should the cable operate?
• Low frequencies (e.g. control cables) → Braided shielding.
• High frequencies (e.g. high-speed data lines) → foil shielding.
• Extremely interference-prone environments → Combined shielding (foil + braid).
• Which degree of shielding is required? Single or double shielding? Does the cable have to provide 360° shielding (e.g. for sensitive data lines)?
• What are the earthing and EMC requirements? Does the shielding have to be earthed on both sides? Do EMC regulations (electromagnetic compatibility) have to be met?
• There are different shielding techniques depending on the interference environment and signal type. Choose the right one for your application:
• Braided shielding (braided wire) offers protection against low-frequency interference and is mechanically stable. The shielding is less effective for high frequencies. Well suited for power cables and cables for machine control systems.
• Foil shielding (aluminum/copper foil) is an excellent high-frequency protection. The cables are lightweight but mechanically more sensitive. Suitable for audio and radio technology
• Combined shielding (foil + braid) offers maximum protection, ideal for environments prone to interference. The cables are more expensive and less flexible. For use in industry, telecommunications and automotive engineering.
• Corrugated tube shielding (metallic sheath) is considered the best protection against interference. The shielding is rigid, heavy and expensive. It is used in high-performance measuring systems and in military technology.
• The choice of the right conductor material influences conductivity, signal quality and durability:
• Copper (Cu) → Best conductivity, standard for data and signal cables.
• Silver-plated copper → Better high-frequency properties, corrosion-resistant.
• Aluminum (Al) → Cheaper, lower conductivity than copper (often in foil shielding):
• Copper-coated aluminum (CCA) → Cheaper than pure copper, but poorer signal transmission.
• The outer material protects the cable from external influences. Choose the right material for the application:
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride): Inexpensive, flexible, medium resistance. Suitable for standard cabling.
• PUR (polyurethane): Highly resistant to abrasion, oil & chemicals. Particularly suitable for use in mechanical engineering and for industrial cabling.
• TPE (thermoplastic elastomer): Very flexible, cold & heat resistant. Suitable for medical technology and robotics.
• LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen): No toxic fumes in case of fire, flame retardant. Intended for building installations, cabling on ships and in tunnels.
• PTFE (Teflon): Extremely temperature & chemical resistant: Used in aerospace and high-frequency technology
• For professional purchasing, it is important that the cables meet all relevant norms and standards. Important standards and certificates are:
• EMC Directive (Electromagnetic Compatibility) → Protection against interference.
• UL certification (Underwriters Laboratories, USA) → Safety standard for electrical products in the USA.
• VDE (Verband der Elektrotechnik, Germany) → Tested electrical safety.
• RoHS & REACH → Environmental and pollutant regulations (no lead or halogen compounds).
• IEC 60332-1 / IEC 60332-3 → Fire behavior of cables.
• IP protection classes (e.g. IP67, IP69K) → Water & dust protection.
• For critical applications such as medical or automotive technology, cables should always be VDE, UL or IEC-tested.
• A high-quality shielded cable is a long-term investment. Therefore, pay attention to quality.

Paying attention to all these points will ensure that you purchase a high-quality cable that functions reliably, is durable and transmits interference-free signals.

Shielded cables can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about manufacturers and suppliers of Shielded cables from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.