Cable Twisting Services

A twisted pair cable is two insulated conductors twisted together. This design reduces electromagnetic interference and crosstalk and is used in automotive, electronic and communication applications. The twisting balances the magnetic fields generated by current flow and cancels out noise and improves noise immunity.

One conductor carries the signal and the other is a ground reference or return path with signals often transmitted in opposite directions for further noise reduction. Compared to untwisted wires or parallel conductors twisted pairs are much better at protecting against signal degradation.

Invented by Alexander Graham Bell twisted pair cables are the cornerstone of modern communication technology. They are used in car wiring harnesses, communication systems and sensitive electronics where clear reliable signals are critical. Our cables can have multiple individually twisted pairs each twisted at a specific rate to minimize interference from adjacent cables.

Common types are:

• Twisted pair copper wire: Unshielded wires twisted together for standard applications.

Shielded twisted pair cable: Twisted pairs wrapped in shielding materials for extra protection against interference.

The twisting of cables is a deliberate engineering solution to balance electromagnetic fields generated by current flow. Each conductor generates a magnetic field; twisting the wires causes external interference to convert into a common mode signal which the receiver can filter out. The tighter and more consistent the twists the better the cable performs in noise rejection.

Choosing twisted pair cables offers many benefits:

• Better noise reduction: Twisting wires reduces electromagnetic interference.
• Clearer signals: Ideal for data, control and communication systems.
• Cost effective: Twisted pair copper cables are cheap to produce due to minimal materials making them an economical choice for many applications.
• Flexible and easy to install: Twisted pair cables bend easily around complex routes without compromising signal quality.

For applications that require even more protection shielded twisted pair cables add an extra layer of shielding to maximise signal integrity in harsh environments.

Compared to coaxial cables, twisted pair cables like UTP are lighter, more flexible and easier to install, though coaxial cables offer higher bandwidth and better noise immunity for long distance or high frequency transmissions. Twisted pair cables are typically used for shorter distances and where installation flexibility and cost is key.

Twisted pair cables especially UTP are widely used in Ethernet and local area networks supporting standards like Fast Ethernet making them the go to choice for connecting computers and devices within LANs.

Our twisted pair copper cables serve many industries and applications including:

• Automotive wiring harnesses: Reliable connections for electronic control units, sensors and communication systems.
• Marine and defence sectors: Shielded twisted pair cables for reliable performance in harsh conditions.
• Electronics manufacturing: Circuits that require clear noise free signal transmission.
• Industrial equipment: Control systems, data transfer and signal cabling.

Twisted pair cables integrate seamlessly into wire harnesses and enclosures making them practical for many applications.

While twisted pair cables are used for data and signal transmission over short to medium distances fibre optic cables are often used for long distance or high frequency applications due to their superior signal integrity.