What are the two general classifications of power cables?

The correct classification of power cables is indeed shielded and unshielded. Shielded power cables have an additional layer of conductive material that encases the inner conductors, providing protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). This shielding is crucial in environments with heavy electrical noise or where signal integrity is paramount. Unshielded cables, on the other hand, do not have this protective layer and are simpler and cheaper but can be susceptible to interference.

Other classifications, while significant in their own contexts, do not encompass the two general types of power cables in terms of their construction and protection from interference. For instance, single-phase and three-phase refer specifically to the type of electrical supply rather than the design of the cable itself. Overhead and underground are terms related to the deployment method of the cables, not their intrinsic characteristics. High voltage and low voltage classify cables based on the electrical voltage they carry rather than their structural protection. Therefore, the distinction between shielded and unshielded serves as the foundational classifications that directly relate to the cable’s design and expected operating environment.