FS Shielded Cable – The Unsung Hero of Industrial Communication

With the increasing adoption of industrial Ethernet, shielded cables are being used more frequently in industrial settings due to their lower cost and their ability to support PoE (Power over Ethernet). But why is it necessary to use shielded cables? Just as workers in industrial environments are required to wear protective gear to ensure their safety, the cables laid in these settings also need to be "shielded" to ensure they can maintain stable and reliable signal transmission.

Types of Shielding Used For Shielded Cables

Shielded cables are electrical cables wrapped with a protective layer to reduce external electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring reliable signal transmission. They are essential in industrial environments, where high levels of EMI can disrupt signals. These cables are commonly used in industrial Ethernet, automation control systems, and precision sensor applications. There are several types of shielding used in these cables, depending on cost and the specific EMI environment:

• F/UTP (Overall Foil Shield with Twisted Pairs) uses an overall foil shield to cover the entire set of twisted pairs, providing 100% coverage against EMI. It is lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to terminate with a drain wire. This type is ideal for industrial Ethernet and environments with moderate EMI interference.

• S/UTP (Overall Braid Shield with Twisted Pairs) uses an overall braid shield to protect the twisted pairs, offering flexibility, mechanical strength, and effective EMI blocking at lower frequencies. It is thicker and bulkier than foil shielding, making it suitable for environments requiring robust shielding and flexibility, such as military and industrial automation.

• SF/UTP (Overall Foil and Braid Shields with Twisted Pairs) combines both an overall foil shield and a braid shield over the twisted pairs, providing maximum EMI protection and mechanical strength. Although it is more expensive and less flexible, it is used in high EMI environments where maximum shielding effectiveness is required, such as advanced industrial systems.

• S/FTP (Overall Braid Shield with Individually Foil Shielded Twisted Pairs) features an overall braid shield with each twisted pair individually shielded by foil, offering superior EMI protection for both overall and individual pairs. Combining flexibility and mechanical strength, it is complex and costlier to produce, making it suitable for high-performance networks requiring excellent signal integrity and minimal interference, such as data centers and precision instrumentation.

FS Provides High-Quality Shielded Cable Solutions for Industrial Environments

Regular Shielded Cable Provided by FS

FS offers a variety of shielded cables with different shielding options, providing ideal solutions for customers who are preparing to install cables in industrial environments.

Industrial Shielded Cable Provided by FS

In heavy industrial environments, opting for regular shielded cables in the table above may not be the wisest choice. To illustrate, while a garden hose can effectively transport water, it is insufficient to extinguish a fire in a three-story building. The same principle applies to shielded cables. In demanding industrial settings, we highly recommend choosing FS industrial shielded cables over regular shielded cables. These industrial-grade cables not only deliver equivalent performance but also offer the following advantages:

• Higher temperature resistance

• Higher physical resistance by having the shield reinforced with steel and thicker insulation

• Higher quality fire retardants

• Higher resistance to oil, chemicals, and UV radiation due to PUR outer jacket

Here's the table showcasing FS's industrial shielded Ethernet cable options:

FS Shielded Cables Play a Crucial Role in Industrial Environments

Enhance Signal Stability for Your Industrial Ethernet

One major advantage of shielded Ethernet cables is their ability to prevent interference. FS offers various types of shielded cables, such as F/UTP, U/FTP, and SF/UTP single-shielded cables, and S/FTP double-shielded cables. These cables can block EMI and radio frequency interference (RFI) to varying degrees, preventing them from degrading signal quality or transmission speeds.

Minimize the Risk of Cable Maintenance or Replacement

In data centers or home networks, Ethernet infrastructure is typically installed in easily accessible locations like cabinets. However, in factory environments, such accessibility can sometimes be a luxury. Replacing old or worn cables might require removing entire walls or moving heavy machinery, which is both costly and time-consuming. FS's high-quality shielded cables offer a very long service life, ensuring a "fit and forget" installation that doesn't require frequent replacements.

Maximize Data Transfer Efficiency in the Factory

FS's shielded cables generally offer superior transmission speeds compared to unshielded options due to their enhanced protection against interference. Fast data transmission is crucial in factory environments where data flows between various sources. Monitoring machine status, production speed, and inventory levels can help determine the requirements of your industrial setting. For optimal transmission, FS Cat6a shielded Ethernet cables are highly recommended.

Note:

To ensure shielded cables work effectively, they must be properly grounded. If the shielding is not properly grounded, not only will it fail to provide shielding, but it will also result in greater signal attenuation during transmission.

Conclusion

FS shielded cables are the unsung heroes of industrial communication, providing essential protection against interference, enhancing data transmission reliability, and safeguarding against power surges. In industrial settings where the reliability of communication networks is critical, choosing the right cabling solution is not just a matter of convenience but a necessity. By investing in high-quality FS shielded cables, industries can ensure their operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely, paving the way for advanced automation and continued growth.