Coaxial cable provides what advantage over twisted-pair conductors?

Coaxial cable provides what advantage over twisted-pair conductors?

• A. Higher data rate
• B. Better protection against EMI
• C. Lower cost
• D. Easier termination

Answer: (B)

Shielding around the signal is the key advantage. Coaxial cable has a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric and then a conductive shield (braid or foil) that sits under the outer jacket. That shield acts like a barrier that blocks external electromagnetic interference from distorting the signal and also prevents the signal from radiating out and interfering with other equipment. Twisted-pair conductors lack that full shielding, so they’re more susceptible to noise and crosstalk, especially in electrically noisy environments. While data rate, cost, and termination effort depend on many factors, the prominent practical benefit of coax is its strong protection against EMI, which helps preserve signal integrity over longer runs.

Shielding around the signal is the key advantage. Coaxial cable has a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric and then a conductive shield (braid or foil) that sits under the outer jacket. That shield acts like a barrier that blocks external electromagnetic interference from distorting the signal and also prevents the signal from radiating out and interfering with other equipment. Twisted-pair conductors lack that full shielding, so they’re more susceptible to noise and crosstalk, especially in electrically noisy environments. While data rate, cost, and termination effort depend on many factors, the prominent practical benefit of coax is its strong protection against EMI, which helps preserve signal integrity over longer runs.