Shielded twisted pair (STP) is cable made from twisted conductor pairs with a conductive screen around the pair or cable assembly. The screen is designed to reduce electromagnetic interference, but “STP” by itself does not specify exactly where the screen sits or what it is made of. For a precise description, look for the cable’s full shielding notation and construction.
How shielded twisted-pair cable is constructed
Twisting and shielding are separate features. The conductors are twisted together in pairs; a conductive screen may then surround individual pairs, the group of pairs, or both. Depending on the design, that screen can use foil, braid, or a combination.
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ISO/DIS 19642-13 gives a specific definition for its road-vehicle cable scope: two single cores are twisted into a differential pair, with a common screen and outer jacket applied over the twisted cores. That automotive definition should not be treated as a universal description of networking cable.
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- Low eccentricity: The wire has low eccentricity and uniform thickness, which can effectively prevent current breakdown and ensure electrical safety.
- twisted pair shielded cable has tinned copper mesh + aluminum foil, which makes it have high shielding performance, stronger anti-interference and more stable.
- Specification features high conductivity, low resistance , easy to welding, connect,cut and Separate.
- Flame retardant Cable: PVC flame retardant sheath, safe and flame retardant, automatically extinguished when leaving the open flame.
What the shielding notation means
In common balanced-cabling notation, the first part describes the overall screen and the second part describes screening around individual pairs. These designations make construction clearer than “STP” alone:
| Designation | Construction |
|---|---|
| U/UTP | No overall screen and no individual-pair screens. |
| F/UTP | Overall foil screen; pairs are unscreened. |
| U/FTP | Individual-pair screens; no overall screen. |
| F/FTP | Individual-pair screens plus an overall foil screen. |
| S/FTP | Individual-pair foil screens plus an overall braid. |
These are practical naming conventions, not a guarantee that every vendor uses informal “STP” or “FTP” labels identically. Check the cable’s product specification for its actual screen materials and layout.
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- SPECIFICATIONS: 22AWG 2 conductor shielded wire, Rated voltage: 300V, Rated temperature: 80℃/176℉, Resistance: ≤ 59.4Ω/KM20℃. Current: 3.4A. Conductor: Tinned Oxygen Free Copper. Insulation: PVC. Shield: Tinned Copper + AL, OD: 4.7±0.18mm, UL Listed
- HIGH CONDUCTIVITY: UL2464 22 gauge 2 conductor shielded cable, each cable consists of 17 strands of 0.16 mm tinned oxygen-free copper stranded. It is characterized by high conductivity, low resistance, ultra-low eccentricity and oxidation resistance
- EXCELLENT SHIELDING: This UL2464 CNC shielded cables are double shielded (aluminum + tinned copper) for superior interference immunity with up to 85% shielding. In addition, the shielding serves as a safety protection for the internal cables
- DURABLE MATERIAL: The 22/2 shielded wire has a PVC jacket of uniform thickness. It is flame retardant, safe and stable, anti-aging, acid and alkali resistant, easy to bend, etc. Flame retardant passes the test standards of VW-1 and FT1
- WIDELY APPLICATION: Our 22 gauge shielded cables have excellent data signal transmission capability and efficient conductivity, and are widely used in CNC devices, stepper motors, 3D printers, security and alarm systems, sound, speaker, and so on
What the shield does—and what it does not guarantee
A conductive screen is intended to attenuate electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic interference. Depending on the installation, shielding can also help reduce emissions from the cable. It does not, by itself, guarantee better performance: the right cable category, protocol, installation, and termination must all suit the system.
A shield’s usefulness depends on continuity through the cable and its connections. Poor workmanship, an interrupted shield, or unsuitable termination can undermine the intended benefit and may create noise problems. Shielded cable is therefore not automatically the better choice for every installation.
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- 1. Dual Anti-Interference Shielding: Features tinned copper braid + aluminum foil double shielding, effectively blocks EMI/RFI interference, ensures stable signal and power transmission.
- 2. 18 AWG Pure Copper Conductor: Built with 41 strands of 0.16mm pure copper wire for each core, the conductor has low resistance, high conductivity, stable and long-lasting performance.
- 3. Flexible PVC Jacket & Insulation: PVC outer jacket and inner insulation provide good flexibility, wear resistance, VW-1 flame retardancy, moisture and corrosion protection.
- 4. Wide Temperature and Voltage Range: With a maximum temperature rating of 80℃ and a voltage rating of up to 300V, this cable is suitable for a variety of industrial and commercial applications, delivering reliable performance under demanding conditions.
- 5. Easy to Install & Widely Used: Package contains 5 pcs zip ties and 2 pcs quick wiring connectors for wiring. Easy to strip, route and connect, widely applied in audio equipment, DIY electronics, industrial control and automotive low-voltage wiring.
Grounding and installation depend on the system
Shield bonding is not a one-rule-fits-all decision. Siemens’ ET 200BL V21 industrial controller guidance recommends low-impedance protective-conductor connections and grounding at both ends to reduce low- and high-frequency interference. It also warns that different ground potentials can cause equalizing current and suggests considering equipotential bonding. Where that bonding cannot be installed, the manual describes capacitive grounding at one end as an option for reducing high-frequency interference only.
Those instructions are specific to Siemens equipment and its industrial installation context; they are not a universal prescription for home Ethernet or every premises-cabling system. Follow the applicable cabling requirements and equipment manuals. Also protect cable construction during routing: Siemens cautions against tensile and compression strain on foil shields.
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- [BELDEN 9841 DIRECT EQUIVALENT] Engineered to match the key construction and electrical specifications of Belden 9841—including precise 120-ohm characteristic impedance—making it a reliable drop-in alternative for RS-485 installations.
- [RELIABLE RS-485 COMMUNICATION] Engineered with precise 120-ohm characteristic impedance for stable signal transmission across RS-485 and RS-422 networks. Ideal for Modbus RTU, BACnet MS/TP, PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, RTUs, SCADA systems, industrial control panels, and low-voltage communication applications.
- [SUPERIOR DUAL-SHIELD PROTECTION] Features a 100% coverage aluminum-Mylar foil shield with a drain wire, reinforced by a 90% coverage tinned copper braid shield to provide exceptional protection against EMI/RFI interference and ensure stable, reliable signal transmission in demanding industrial environments.
- [LOW-CAPACITANCE LOW-ATTENUATION DESIGN] Features premium PE insulation, 24AWG stranded tinned copper conductors, and precision twisted-pair construction to minimize capacitance and signal loss for reliable high-speed data transmission over long distances.
- [UL CERTIFIED CE MARKED MADE IN KOREA] Manufactured by KWANGIL, a trusted Korean cable manufacturer since 1984. Produced under rigorous quality-control standards to deliver consistent performance and long-term reliability in professional and industrial applications.
Choosing a cable description for an application
When specifying or identifying cable, use the full construction and application requirements rather than relying on “STP” alone. Check:
- Shield layout: whether the design uses an overall foil, an overall braid, individual-pair foils, or a combination.
- Application and performance: the cable category, data protocol, and transmission performance required by the system.
- Termination compatibility: whether connectors and equipment preserve the intended shield continuity.
- Bonding plan: applicable installation rules, shield connection requirements, and the possibility of ground-potential differences.
- Physical environment: routing, mechanical strain, and suitable jacket and cable construction.
Standards have different scopes. ANSI/TIA-568.0-E addresses generic customer-premises telecommunications cabling, while ISO/DIS 19642-13 concerns specified high-speed data cable for road vehicles. The Fiber Optics Tech Consortium reports that ANSI/TIA-568.0-E was published in March 2020 and its Addendum 1, covering balanced single twisted-pair cabling, in July 2022. Verify the applicable edition and jurisdiction when specifying a system.
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