The basic function of an audio cable is to transport an audio signal from one point to another. However, another component of what we expect of our cables that requires them to keep any noise from entering that original audio signal. And when determining the best type of cable that will fit your specific needs, the amount of noise reduction will be a crucial factor.

The noise typically enters the path of the audio signal by way of radio-frequency interference (RFI), electromagnetic interference (EMI) or electrostatic interference along the length of the cable. Naturally, the longer the cable, the higher the probability that interference will join the original audio signal and produce itself in the output source in the form of hum, static, or other unwanted sounds. The defense from RFI and EMI comes in the form of audio cable shields.

Shielding is a material that electrically conductive and surrounds a wire or cable. The shield’s primary function is to limit any signal trying to escape from the wire or cable. It also inhibits external signals or interference from flowing into the wire or cable. Braided, spiral, armor and corrugated metal can also provide mechanical protection for the cable.

There are a various types of shielding options you will want to be informed on before deciding which will best suit your particular application:

1、Braided shielding protects the original signal conductor by surrounding it with braided copper strands. Advantages to braided shields include the fact that the coverage area the shield protects can be varied depending on the angle of the braiding, the number of picks and the rate at which they are applied. Additionally, the coverage is extremely consistent, Braid shields typically have a nominal coverage of 55% to 95%.Therefore, it is particularly adept at blocking interference from RFI sources, which have very short wavelengths that can sometimes permeate other kinds of shields. Our braided shielding cable range of microphone cables,  instrument cable, DMX cable, networking cable, coaxial cable.

Star-Quad braided shielding Microphone cable SMC251    2-core double shielding DMX data Cable 110 ohm impedance braided shielding DL11

2、Spiral shielding is designed similarly to a braided shielding, except that a flat layer made of copper strands is wrapped around the original signal conductor in a single direction. spiral shielding cables are more flexible than compared to their braided counterparts and generally more suited for live performances. But the downside is that serve shields will not provide as much protection as braided shielding. And serve shield cables are also less expensive than braided shields. Our spiral shielding cable range of microphone cables,  instrument cable, dual patch cable and multi-core cable.

24AWG Low noise Microphone Bulk Cable SMC22    Low noise spiral shielding instrument cable SGC112   Separate spiral Shielding Microphone Bulk Cable SMC23 1-core signal double patch cable PC101

3、Foil Shielding are made from various materials. They normally consist of a laminate of aluminum and polyester layers joined together by adhesive. Foil shields offers maximum protection at 100 percent coverage. While foil shield cables will be lightweight and cheap, the drain wire prevents flexibility and the foil shielding will break down quickly under repeated flexing. Foil shielding are generally used on our multi-core cables, DMX cables, coaxial cables, networking cables, alarm cable, fire alarm cable.

1-pair professional DMX Lighting AES EBU Cable DL10    8-pair AL-Foil shielding balanced Multipair audio cable MUC108   4 pair twisted Cat5e 26AWG Flexible AL foil shielding patch cable DC503S

If you need to know more about all kinds of shielding cables, check it on our website,  http://propaudio.com/bulk-cable/