When it comes to cable management, metal braided sleeving is a tad unconventional.

In a black sea of plastic, cylindrical shrink tubes, it definitely stands out from the pack. It’s as hardworking as it is good-looking. Withlits fancy facade, specially engineered materials, and the specificity of its niche market, metal braided sleeving has a lot to brag about.

This shiny metallic shield really is the complete package, and it’s ready to dress all your data, communication, and power cables for success.

Getting Down To Business

Metal braided sleeving is a very specific and special product. Unlike other types of cable protection, it’s not focused so much on the cable itself, as it is what’s below the surface. The sole purpose of metal braided sleeving is to protect signals during transmission.

As we communicate with the world around us, our information becomes electric or electromagnetic signals that travel via cables. It’s not an easy journey though. Transmissions almost always encounter setbacks along the way that can distort, disrupt, or even lose the signal completely.

Here are some of the most common signal stumbling blocks:

• Cable impairments that cause imperfections.
• Crosstalk occurs as signals bleed into one another from adjacent lines.
• Longer distances face increased resistance and heightened signal loss
• Poor grounding
• Noise, or interference, from undesirable electric signals
  • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
  • Radiofrequency Interference (RFI)

That’s a long list of potential hazards lying in wait for transmitting signals, and that’s not the worst of it.

Risky Business with EMI

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is when an external electromagnetic signal mixes and mingles with a transmitting signal.

EMI sources can come from almost anything like solar flares or lightning to cell towers, power conductors, transmission lines, phones, computers, or even microwaves. It’s also possible for signals traveling along their own cables to jump outside their cable and become a source of EMI to something nearby. EMI produces some pretty nasty electrical side effects. It can disrupt, damage, or shut down cell phones, vehicle navigation, mass transit systems, medical devices, automotive and aerospace engines, defense equipment, IT systems, and more.

EMI is frustrating, challenging, and downright dangerous. It can result in lost data, millions of dollars of damage, or even death.

Luckily for us and our signals, EMI and every other pesky source of signal degradation are no match for a shielded cable, which means it’s showtime for metal braided sleeving.

Shielded Cable Never Looked So Good

Shielded cables are safe cables. They perform better, carry stronger signals, and keep their signals in and interference out. They provide safe passage for signal transmissions while reducing the danger of EMI and other signal-stomping perils along the way.

Metal braided sleeving is one type of shield that can be added on to any cable. This slightly springy, protective layer expands and is snugged around a signal-carrying wire to act as a barrier between the internal signal and any external influences. Depending on your application and installation needs, metal braided sleeving can also be added to an existing power cable to reduce the EMI it casts.

Metal braided sleeving offers superlative protection with a sleek, silvery finish that isn’t just for show. Its dressy appearance is actually the result of carefully selected materials and specifically engineered designs that bring both form and function to cable shielding, and here’s how.

Tinned Copper

This man-made material is specially manufactured for metal braided sleeving. Copper is the second most conductive element on earth, making it an ideal choice for a conductive layer. It’s also available in abundance and easy to work with. Applying a thin coating of tin makes the tinned copper wire 10x stronger than its original form and increases its resistance to corrosion and water.

For even more extreme protection in corrosive or abrasive environments try stainless steel metal braid.

Sleeve Structure

Metal braided sleeving is shaped for both function and flexibility. The sleeve design allows it to be added on to existing cables without damaging or requiring removal or replacement. It’s slightly springy to the touch and provides reliable, resilient 360-degree coverage where you need it.

Metal braided sleeving is available in flat or rounded/tubular shapes.

Braided Design

The braided design of metal braided sleeving provides excellent cut-through and abrasion resistance. The structural weave boosts its resilience, firmness, and strength without adding stiffness.

Metal braided sleeving is an attention grabber, but each design element that adds to its flashy finish serves a very specific and functional purpose. Don your cables in the silvery lusterTg of metal braided sleeving and they’ll become the best-dressed bodyguard a signal’s ever had.

More Than Just a Pretty Face

Metal braided sleeving might seem a little showy, but it’s got the skills to back it up. Shielding cables are one of the most effective and respected ways to protect signals during transmission.

Unshielded cables are a little cheaper and slightly easier to install, but their signals run unprotected and are exposed to the harsh attacks of external EMI, RFI, and signal-spoiling noise. Don’t set your signals up for failure. Let them travel in style and safety with metal braided sleeving and all its impressive advantages.

Reduce Signal Degradation

Of all its brag-worthy qualities, the most laudable is reducing signal degradation by minimizing noise interference. When metal braided sleeving is securely in place it acts like an impenetrable wall in all directions. Signals stay safely inside the shielded cable as it prevents outside sources of EMI from corrupting transmissions.

Improved Performance

Shielded cables retain signal integrity and reliability, which results in higher-quality transmissions and enhanced data sharing. Under the watchful eye of metal braided sleeving, signals can travel longer distances without breaking down. Smooth sailing signals stay stronger, are more reliable, and travel faster resulting in increased data transfer speeds and reduced latency. This is where metal braided sleeving truly shines as it consistently provides faster network connections, clearer communications, and superior picture and sound.

Durability

The added layer of protection from metal braided sleeving improves the mechanical strength and expected lifeline of a shielded cable. These cables are better protected from moisture, stress, heat, and accidental damage. The glossy metal braid makes it easy for technicians to perform visual inspections or an occasional cleaning.

Handle With Care

If you’ve decided that metal braided sleeving is the right cable shield for your next project, there’s an important caveat to keep in mind.

It doesn’t just look sharp, it actually can be sharp to the touch. Especially during installation, it’s important to wear gloves or other protective garb at your discretion. Metal braided sleeving is at its most dangerous when it’s being cut. Use heavy-duty shears and out for falling shards, dropped scraps, and leftover shavings because they’re all essentially small, metal splinters.

Make sure you handle metal braided sleeving with a little extra care so that everyone’s signals and fingers stay safe.

A Little Something Extra For The Folks At Home

Metal braided sleeving is best known for its work in telecommunications applications. It also makes appearances in medical devices like MRI machines, control modules in automotive systems, aeronautic fuel lines, and scientific and technological applications like robotics and industrial equipment.

You don’t have to be an electrical engineer or telecommunication guru to enjoy metal braided sleeving. It’s got something to offer everyone–even residential users. So for all the homeowners, apartment renters, and wherever-you-might-live-dwellers, here are two extra special jobs that metal braided sleeving can do right at home.

1. Shielded ethernet cables

Metal braided sleeving is a great way to boost, protect, and persevere the signals responsible for connecting and communicating on your home network. Although they require special grounding and installation that is a little extra, many small businesses and homeowners prefer shielding their home cables. If your installation will be outdoors, next to your AC wiring, in a wall, or near a high-voltage power source like a wiring panel, electric fence, motor, or generator, you’ll definitely want to look into the EMI shielding from metal braided sleeving.

2. Rodent-proofing and Chew-through protection

Whether you live near the woods, have barns or outbuildings, or just are used to furry little fiends feasting on your wires, metal braided sleeving is ready to come to your rescue. Thanks to its specially designed sleeve, you can easily add metal braided sleeving to any existing wire, cord, or cable. Braided, tinned copper body is resilient enough to resist even the fiercest fangs. Bright, reflective surfaces make it easy to install, locate, and maintain inside or out. Added protective layer extends the life of cords, strengthens the signal of cables, and keeps your electronics running smoothly even with exposure to dirt, dust, or the elements. Wrap up the rodent buffet once and for all with metal braided sleeving.

You Know You Want It

First, it championed the commercial and industrial sectors. Now it’s taking over your homes. Metal braided sleeving is a truly iconic choice for reducing signal loss.

It’s got the skills. It's got the swagger. And now that you installed it, you can see just how good it actually looks. All shiny and polished with gleaming symmetrical surfaces adding lustrous lines to your tired old cords and cables. They’re dressed to the nines now and ready to send those signals to the next level–or wherever it is that they need to go.

Metal braided sleeving looks good, performs better, and promises to reinvigorate signal strength and integrity with panache. You may never shield another cable the same way again.

Dress your cables for success with metal braided sleeving. Paparazzi not included.