Shielded Cable
A shielded cable is a multi-conductor or single-conductor electrical cable surrounded by a conductive layer — foil, braid, or spiral — that blocks electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) from corrupting signal transmission or coupling onto adjacent circuits.
Key Attributes
- Shield Types: Aluminium-foil (100% coverage), tinned-copper braid (85–96% coverage), or copper spiral/served (used where repeated flexing is required).
- Voltage Rating: 300 V RMS (signal/data) to 600 V RMS (power-rated, UL 2464-approved variants).
- Conductor Range: AWG 28 to AWG 10 stranded copper; 2-core to 40-core configurations; twisted-pair, triad, or parallel arrangements.
- Temperature Range: -40°C to +105°C (PVC jacket); -200°C to +200°C (FEP insulation); -180°C to +260°C (PTFE insulation).
- Certifications: UL (2464, 1007, 1571), IEC 60228, RoHS 3, REACH; optional CMR/CMP plenum ratings.
Primary Industry Applications
- Commercial Automation & Control: Internal wiring for control cabinets, sensors, and electronic peripherals in light industrial and commercial settings.
- Media & Communications: High-fidelity signal paths for audio/video systems, intercoms, and broadcasting equipment requiring low-noise performance.
- Scientific & Medical Instrumentation: Reliable data transmission for laboratory instruments, diagnostic monitors, and precision measuring devices where signal integrity is critical.
- General Electronic Connectivity: Efficient low-voltage power and data routing for office equipment, computer hardware, and consumer electronic systems.
Shielded Cable Overview
LCSC shielded cables deliver robust EMI suppression and signal integrity across industrial, audio, medical, and data-communication applications. Each cable is constructed with stranded tinned or bare copper conductors, individually insulated with PVC, PE, FEP, or PTFE dielectric, and wrapped or braided with a conductive shield layer terminated by a drain wire for easy grounding. LCSC stocks foil-shielded, braid-shielded, and combined foil-plus-braid variants to match the specific frequency range and mechanical demands of the application. Jacket options include PVC, LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen), PTFE, and polyurethane, enabling compliance with fire-safety, food-processing, and extreme-temperature requirements.
Why Choose LCSC Shielded Cables
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Shield Types | Foil (Al/Mylar), braid (tinned copper), and spiral (served) options covering 85–100% coverage depending on type. | Match shield to EMI frequency and flex requirements. |
| Wide Voltage Range | Rated up to 300 V (signal cables) or 600 V (power cables, UL/CSA rated). | Suitable from low-voltage sensor lines to mains-adjacent runs. |
| Flexible Conductor Options | Stranded tinned copper, bare copper, or silver-plated; AWG 28 to AWG 10 available. | Optimize for flexibility, conductivity, or corrosion resistance. |
| Temperature Performance | Operating range -40°C to +105°C (PVC jacket); -200°C to +200°C (FEP); -180°C to +260°C (PTFE). | Reliable across industrial, automotive, and outdoor environments. |
| Compliance & Traceability | UL 2464, IEC 60228, RoHS, and REACH compliant variants stocked. | Meets global regulatory and environmental requirements. |
| Low MOQ & Sample Access | Single-reel and cut-length orders accepted; samples available for design validation. | Reduces risk during prototype and pre-production phases. |
Shielded Cable Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Shield Construction | Aluminium-polyester foil (100% coverage), tinned copper braid (85–96% coverage), or copper spiral (served) shield; drain wire included on foil types |
| Conductor Specification | Stranded tinned copper, bare copper, or silver-plated copper; AWG 28 to AWG 10; compliant with IEC 60228 Class 5 (flexible) |
| Voltage Rating | 300 V RMS (signal/data cables); 600 V RMS (power-rated variants, UL 2464 / CSA approved) |
| Current Capacity | 0.5 A (AWG 28) to 30 A (AWG 10) (Note: derate by 20–30% in bundled or enclosed installations) |
| Jacket Material & Temperature | PVC: -40°C to +105°C; LSZH: -30°C to +90°C; FEP: -200°C to +200°C; PTFE: -180°C to +260°C; TPE/PUR: -40°C to +80°C |
| Insulation Material | PVC, PE, FEP, or PTFE insulation per conductor; colour-coded per IEC 60446 or UL 508 conventions |
| Number of Conductors | 2-core to 40-core configurations; paired (twisted pair), triad, or parallel arrangements available |
| Compliance | UL 2464, IEC 60332-1 (flame retardant), RoHS 3 (EU 2015/863), REACH SVHC; optional UL 13 CMR/CMP ratings |
Shielded Cable Options
- Shield Construction: Aluminium-polyester foil with drain wire; tinned copper braid (85% or 96% coverage); foil + braid combined; copper spiral (served) for continuous-flex applications.
- Conductor Count & Arrangement: 2-core to 40-core; twisted pair (for differential signalling), triad, quad, or parallel flat configurations.
- Conductor Gauge & Material: AWG 28 to AWG 10; bare copper, tinned copper, or silver-plated copper (silver-plated for high-frequency or PTFE-insulated cables).
- Jacket Material: PVC (general purpose), LSZH (transit/building), PTFE (high temperature/chemical resistance), TPE or PUR (high-flex, oil-resistant).
- Packaging Format: 100 m and 305 m spools (bulk reel); cut-to-length orders; custom drum quantities for OEM production runs.
Shielded Cable Applications
- Industrial Automation: Connecting PLCs, servo drives, encoders, and proximity sensors in variable-frequency drive (VFD) environments where switching noise is high.
- Audio & Broadcast: Balanced microphone lines, mixing console interconnects, and broadcast camera tethering where hum and interference rejection are mandatory.
- Medical Equipment: ECG leads, ultrasound probe cables, and patient monitoring wiring requiring IEC 60601 signal cleanliness and biocompatibility-compatible jackets.
- Telecommunications & Data: RS-485, CANbus, and PROFIBUS fieldbus runs in substation and process control panels where bus integrity must be maintained over long distances.
LCSC Sourcing & Support
LCSC sources shielded cables directly from audited manufacturers, with full reel-level traceability including conductor material certification, shield coverage test reports, and jacket compound batch records. Engineers can order samples or low-MOQ cut lengths to verify cable performance in their application before committing to production quantities, reducing development risk. LCSC application engineers are available to assist with shield-type selection (foil vs. braid vs. combined), gauge sizing for current and voltage drop targets, and jacket selection for environmental and regulatory compliance. All cable reels undergo batch-level electrical testing — including insulation resistance and shield continuity verification — before dispatch.
Shielded Cable Comparison
| Criteria | LCSC Shielded Cable | Standard Market Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Shield Coverage | Up to 100% (foil) or 96% (braid); spiral also available for flex-intensive use | Braid only (typically 85–90%); foil variants less common in cut-length stock |
| Voltage Rating | 300V (Standard UL 2464/1007/1571) | Typically 300 V; 600 V requires special order |
| Jacket Options | PVC, LSZH, PTFE, TPE/PUR — multiple in stock | Usually PVC only; specialty jackets require custom order |
| Conductor Range | AWG 28–10; twisted pair, triad, multi-core | AWG 24–18 typical; broader gauges limited |
| Temperature Range | -40°C to +105°C (PVC); high-performance variants reach -200°C to +200°C (FEP) or -180°C to +260°C (PTFE) | Standard PVC typically rated for +80°C to +105°C; extreme-temp PTFE/FEP options are rarely stocked in standard cut-lengths |
| Compliance | UL 2464, IEC 60228, RoHS 3, REACH; CMR/CMP options | RoHS standard; UL and CMR ratings not always stocked |
Shielded Cable FAQs
1. What is the difference between foil-shielded and braid-shielded cables, and which should I choose?
Foil shields (aluminium-polyester laminate) provide 100% coverage, making them most effective at high frequencies (above 1 MHz) and in applications where size and weight matter — but they are fragile and not suited to repeated flexing. Braid shields (tinned copper) offer 85–96% coverage, lower DC resistance, and far greater mechanical durability, making them the preferred choice for audio, industrial, and continuous-flex applications. For broadband EMI suppression across both low and high frequencies, LCSC also stocks foil-plus-braid combined cables.
2. What voltage rating should I select for my shielded cable?
Most signal-level applications, such as sensors, audio, and RS-485, require standard cables rated at 300V RMS. While 600V RMS variants are suitable for general power transmission and runs adjacent to mains supply, they are insufficient for Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) outputs. VFD systems generate PWM voltage spikes that can exceed 1500V, necessitating the use of XLPE-insulated cables with a 1000V–2000V rating to prevent insulation breakdown. Always ensure your selected cable's rating exceeds the peak transient voltage, not just the nominal RMS level.
3. How should shielded cable be grounded to be effective?
A shield is only effective when connected to a low-impedance ground at one or both ends. Single-point grounding (one end only) is recommended for audio and low-frequency signal cables to prevent ground-loop currents; both ends are grounded for RF and high-frequency applications where wavelength effects matter. The drain wire provided with foil-shielded cables should be terminated at a chassis or signal-ground connection point, not left floating.
4. Are LCSC shielded cables suitable for use in high-temperature or chemically aggressive environments?
Yes. LCSC stocks high-performance shielded cables tailored for extreme conditions, including PTFE (-180°C to +260°C) and FEP (-200°C to +200°C) variants that offer superior resistance to corrosive chemicals and heat. For heavy industrial use, PUR (Polyurethane) jackets provide excellent oil and abrasion resistance, while LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) options ensure compliance with IEC 60332-1 and EN 50266 fire safety standards for public infrastructure.
5. What compliance certifications do LCSC shielded cables carry?
LCSC shielded cables meet global standards including RoHS 3, REACH, and IEC 60228 Class 5. Many products carry UL AWM styles (e.g., UL 2464, 1007, 1571) for internal equipment wiring. Note that under the NEC, pure AWM cables are restricted to appliance and factory-installed use and cannot be routed through building walls or ceilings; for infrastructure projects, select UL CMR (Riser) or CMP (Plenum) rated variants. Certification documentation and UL file numbers are available via LCSC technical support.