Which type of cable is specified for shielding against electromagnetic interference?

Coaxial cable is specified for shielding against electromagnetic interference due to its unique design, which includes an inner conductor, insulating layer, a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer. The metallic shield plays a crucial role in preventing external electromagnetic fields from affecting the signals being transmitted through the inner conductor. This shielding makes coaxial cable particularly effective in environments where electromagnetic interference is prevalent, such as industrial settings or areas with many electronic devices.

While twisted pair cables can also mitigate interference to some extent through their twisted structure, they are generally less effective at blocking external electromagnetic fields compared to coaxial cables. Multiconductor cables and fiber optic cables have different uses and characteristics; for instance, fiber optic cables transmit data via light signals rather than electrical signals, making them inherently immune to electromagnetic interference but not designed for shielding in the same context as coaxial cables. Thus, when discussing dedicated shielding effectiveness against electromagnetic interference, coaxial cable stands out as the appropriate choice.