Ethernet cables are the backbone and future of Local Area Networks (LAN). This amazing invention is enabling businesses and homes to access faster and more secure internet, utilize valuable applications such as PoE, and the list goes on.

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However, when it comes to buying new networking cables, people get perplexed by the many options available. The problem is in the wide variety of cables and their specifications. There are a number of cable categories, and within categories, there are shielded copper cables, unshielded copper cables, unshielded CCA, shielded CCA, solid, stranded, etc. 

So in this article, we recommend getting the shielded copper cables for business use.  And here are five reasons why?

What are shielded copper cables?

The term shielded copper cables comes from “shielding” and “bare copper”, which means that the cable conductors are made out of bare copper and have a dedicated sheath that works as a shield against electromagnetic interference and external noise. Put it simply, these cables perform better than any other. 

Also called, Shielded Twisted Pair (Cables) are known by the acronym STP. 

STP cables are available in all categories of ethernet cables. For example, if you are buying Cat6 plenum cables, get Cat6 shielded plenum cables to make sure that they last longer and perform more smoothly.  

1. Better Resistance against EMI 

The foremost benefit of having shielded copper cables in your network is the quality of signal transmission. These cables are literally designed to minimize electromagnetic interference and other resistances - which they do very efficiently.

The difference in signal quality is significant which makes getting these cables totally worth it. For instance, on an unshielded cable, your devices are more likely to read the interference from the cables in the surrounding. But with shielded cables, it is reduced to almost zero.

This is especially true when you have a business network. Because large commercial networks have a larger number of cables and accessories which increases the amount of EMI in and around the network. 

2. Enhanced Performance

The reduction in EMI and interferences translates into better performance of the cable. It will be noticed not just in the form of better signal quality but it will also be apparent in better performance and seamless connectivity. 

The STP cables are specifically designed to keep various interferences at bay and to ensure the smooth transmission of signals.

Additional reading:
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3. Long Lasting 

Copper is a corrosion-resistant metal with desirable features like ductility and malleability.  Additionally, it also has superior heat and electrical conductivity which make it ideal for use in extreme environmental conditions such as warm and humid spaces. 

It is pertinent to mention that installing these cables is far easier than their CCA counterparts. Because of their ductility, you can twist and turn them into any shape of your desire. This is particularly helpful in tricky indoor runs. 

4. Cost-effective

While it may cost more to buy STP cables as compared to UTP cables, they are more cost-effective in the long run. The cables will save you maintenance costs, and replacement costs, and their extraordinary performance means that you can be more productive and make the most out of your network infrastructure.

Additionally, they will last longer which translates into value. 

5. Applications 

Although cables other than shielded copper also support major ethernet applications, the STP cables are more suited for high-performance applications. For instance, CCA cables are not ideal for power over ethernet applications but these cables are perfectly capable of supporting PoE, PoE+/++ applications.

Additionally, copper cables are more efficient at transmitting data which makes them ideal for video streaming and online gaming as well. For example, 10-gigabit ethernet over STP cables is significantly better than over CCA cables. 

Best Shielded Bare Copper Cables

Following are the best shielded bare copper cables you can get. 

• • STP Cat5e Bare Copper Cable (100 Mbps Data Transfer Rate and 350 MHz Bandwidth)
  • STP Cat6 Bare Copper Cable (1 Gbps Data Transfer Rate and 550 MHz Bandwidth)
  • STP Cat6a Bare Copper Cable (10 Gbps Data Transfer Rate and 750 MHz Bandwidth)

The above-listed cables cover a wide range of ethernet networking needs from small domestic networks to corporate commercial networks.

Shielded and Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables - Why and When Should You Choose Them?

The network cables are an essential part of signal connectivity solutions and they play a key role in ensuring connectivity in any office set up. When it comes to choosing patch network cables you have several choices based on their construction and designs. These cables are usually categorized into two classes – shielded cables and unshielded cables based on their construction. How do these cables differ from each other? Which is the right cable for your application? This post offers answers to these questions and more. Stay tuned to know the details.

What is Shielded Cable?

This cable is also known as shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. It features individual wire pairs wrapped in a foil. These pairs are wrapped one more time to provide double protection. The shielding helps prevent EMI and other technical issues which may compromise the integrity of signals.

What is Unshielded Cable?

This cable is usually referred to as unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP) where individual wire pairs are simply wrapped in a foil, without any additional layer of protection. Non shielded wires are ideal for office environments, which experience less traffic.

Types of Shielded Twisted Pair Cable

There are two main types of shielded cables to choose from, and they are:

• Braided Cables: Shielded cables which feature mesh of woven copper wires are known as braided cables. The braids do not offer 100% shielding, but they are durable than foil shielded wires. Their shielding capacity is entirely dependent on the type of weave they have. Based on the type of weave they may offer 70% to 95% coverage. If the cable remains stationary, then even 70% coverage is good. The copper used for braiding has high conductivity than mylar or aluminum foil used for shielding and it is less prone to any type of damage. This makes it an effective shielding choice. However, it may add to the cost and footprint of the cable. The copper shielded cables are ideal for industrial environments.
• Metal-coated Mylar and Foil Shielded Cables: Foil shielded cables feature a thin sheet of aluminum or copper which is bonded to polyester to improve the cable strength. This shielding is usually referred to as tape shielding and it assures 100% protection to the conductor wire. The foil shielded cables are a common choice for noisy retail or busy office environments.

Multiple shielding layers may be used for extremely noisy environments. In such environments, braided and foil shielded cables are used together. Some applications use multi-conductor cables where both types of shielding are commonly visible. In such cables, sometimes individual pairs are foil shielded, whereas the overall cable is braided or foil shielded. The foil shielding of individual pairs help avoid crosstalk that may occur between different pairs in a cable.

What Are the Benefits of Using Shielded Cables and Unshielded Cables?

The following points will help you understand it better:

• Shielded Cables: Electromagnetic interference or EMI is one of the most common phenomena on the factory floor. EMI is a term used to define electrical noise that is usually conducted or radiated. This noise will not only affect the functioning of devices or equipment but also humans. Cable shielding helps prevent the effect of EMI on equipment and people. This means you will hear less crosstalk between cables. Also, additional insulation protects the cable from environmental elements and abuses that it may otherwise not withstand in an industrial environment. This means, if you are using shielded wires, there are fewer chances of it suffering from abrasion, scraps, spills, or moisture.
• Unshielded Cables: One of the main advantages of using an unshielded cable is that they do not need grounding. This helps save on installation time and costs.

Know About the Applications of Shielded Cables

Shielded cables are ideal for use in noisy environments where the chances and risks of EMI are high. Airports and radio stations are perfect examples of this type of environment. The following are a few more applications of these cables:

• They are used in security systems to avoid radio frequency and power frequency interference. This helps reduce the number of false alarms, which may be otherwise disturbing.
• Shielded twisted pair cables are also used in recording studios or public address systems. The twisted-pair cables help assure a balanced audio configuration.
• The shielded cables are also used in box build applications, where different components are working close to each other.

Applications of Unshielded Cables

Shielded cables help minimize EMI. But, does that mean they are mandatory for every application? No, they are not mandatory for every application. Perhaps, you can also use unshielded cables for less noise applications such as home or office LANs. These cables are inexpensive, lightweight, as well as flexible.
The choice of the right cable will depend on your application requirements. Regardless of whether you opt for STP or UTP, you must choose high-quality cables and devices for your application. If you are looking for quality fiber media converters, ethernet media converters, and fiber optic switches, then you can consider Versitron. The company designs and manufactures high-quality copper-to-fiber connectivity products for voice, data, and video applications. These products are widely used across security, military, government, education, and other sectors.