suojakaapelit

Suojakaapelit, often translated as shielded cables, are electrical cables designed with an additional layer of protection to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) from affecting the signal or to contain the electromagnetic fields generated by the cable itself. This shielding typically consists of a conductive material, such as braided wire, foil, or a combination of both, wrapped around the inner conductors.

The primary function of shielding is to act as a Faraday cage. It either blocks external electromagnetic noise from reaching the sensitive conductors within the cable or prevents the cable from emitting its own EMI. This is crucial in environments with high levels of electrical noise, such as industrial settings, near high-power equipment, or in applications requiring high data integrity like computer networks, audio/video systems, and medical devices.

There are various types of shielding, each offering different levels of protection. Foil shielding is generally effective against high-frequency noise, while braided shielding offers better protection against lower frequencies and mechanical stress. Often, cables combine both foil and braid for comprehensive coverage. The effectiveness of a suojakaapeli depends on the quality of the shielding material, its coverage, and proper termination, ensuring the shield is connected to ground at one or both ends to effectively dissipate interference. Without proper grounding, the shield can sometimes act as an antenna, picking up noise rather than blocking it.