Skip to main content

Shielding in Security Alarm Cables

You may have heard of security alarm cable if you’ve spent an appreciable amount of time researching electrical infrastructure, but have you ever heard of shielding? Just like other specially engineered types of electrical equipment, security cables are no different. Marine cable and welding cable need to be flexible. Solar cable needs to be resistant to UV light. These are just facts of life for certain classes of cable.

While not all cables are shielded, many are, and it’s a term you’re liable to come across if you deal with them on a regular basis. With that in mind, what does shielding mean with respect to cables?

It’s not like a type of physical armor, but it does serve a similar purpose, although not against mechanical stress. For many types of wire, shielding takes the form of a special or reflective foil insulation that protects the cables against a specific type of interference known as EMI or electromagnetic interference.

Electromagnetic interference is basically any electromagnetic radiation that interrupts the signal carried by a wire or cable. All electrical operations emit some or other form of electromagnetic radiation, some of which can be interruptive to the signal carried by a wire. Additionally, cables and wires are more suspect to the ravages of EMI when they are exposed, travel long distances, or are located in close proximity to other electrical infrastructure or conductors.

This is a specific concern for security alarm cables specifically because of the nature of their use. These types of wires and cables transmit signals to the nodes on a security system and are responsible for secure monitoring and data transmission. This is vital to public safety and security. Considering the fact that these types of instrumentation cables are utilized in the wiring of fire alarm, video surveillance and other security systems, EMI can serve a serious hindrance to practical operation.

Electromagnetic interference can scramble or muddle the information sent along a security or alarm system, making it less efficient or even crippling it. Therefore, it’s a good practice for many security and alarm cables to be shielded to protect them from this interference, even if it is not overtly necessary given the circumstances.

Whether or not you will need to utilize shielded cables in the wiring of your security and alarm systems must be evaluated on a case by case basis and you should justifiably rely on the input of an electrical engineer.

Of course, you don’t need to get the insight of an electrical engineer if all you’re looking for is some more information on electromagnetic interference and the different categories and ratings of security and alarm cable. You can find that information right at EWCSWire.com, and what you can’t find their customer service team will be happy to answer. Just get in touch with them anytime you want to learn more about shielding in different types of cable and what it means from a perspective of functionality. You can reach them by email at sales@ewcswire.com or by phone at 800-262-1598.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Two Important Things You Need to Know About Marine Electrical Wire

Do you own a boat? Are you a member of a ship’s crew? Are you a ship’s mechanic or an electrician by trade? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you will at some point or other come across marine electrical wire in the course of your career. Something important you’ll need to keep in mind is that marine electrical cable and wire is not the same as standard building wire; nor is it the same as automotive battery wire. Here are the two big defining traits. Marine Electrical Wire Is Highly Flexible If there’s one thing you need to know about marine electrical wire (also sometimes called marine battery cable or marine battery wire) it’s that it’s highly flexible. This is accomplished by making these conductors out of very high strand counts of very thin conductors. Typically, marine battery wire conductors are made from pure, 100% copper and each conductor is very thin. Doing so makes the cable very flexible. Why is this necessary? Well, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Common Questions About Security and Alarm Cables, Answered

Not sure which type of security or alarm cable your facility or system needs? Hopefully, these answers to common questions can help! What cable is used for alarm systems? Security and alarm systems are usually wired with small-gauge wire specifically designed for the purpose. For instance, many security systems are wired with 12 and 18 AWG gauge alarm wire, as these low-voltage applications do not necessarily require larger, heavier wires. However, larger or wire gauges may be required depending on the circumstances. Also, there are some unique requirements for some systems. For instance, fire alarm cables must be made with specific insulation that is heat resistant and which does not produce toxic smoke when burned. What gauge cable do you need for alarm systems? Only your specific system requirements can answer that question, but often large wire gauges (that is, smaller wires) are used as security and alarm cables because of the low-voltage, low-current application. What is ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Things To Look Out For When Looking For Welding Cable For Sale

Are looking for a welding cable for sale online? If you are, then you must be aware of what they are designed for—not for an undemanding profession, that’s for sure. Welding cable is designed for electric arc-welding machines, it is a conductor that carries the power to fire up the metal rod so that a welding professional can get the work done. However, for a welding cable to properly perform what’s it supposed to do, it should meet the right standards for it to be strong enough to perform its job. Why Must a Welding Cable be Durable? This job is not for the weak and that’s not limited to the professional himself but the cable as well. It’s important to know that you’re getting nothing but the most durable and flexible welding cable there is. There’s a current passing through those wires after all. The last thing you need is for your welding cable to overheat, impeding a speedy welding process. You also don’t want your welding cable to ...
Post a Comment
Read more