Triaxial refers to a three-conductor cable with one conductor in the center, a second circular conductor concentric with the first, and a third circular conductor concentric with and insulated from the first two, usually with a braid or impervious sheath overall.
Triaxial cable, often called triax, is a three-conductor cable built in concentric layers, like a coaxial cable with an additional conductor. At its center is a conductor, surrounded by insulation, then a second circular conductor concentric with the first, more insulation, and a third circular conductor concentric with and insulated from the inner two, all enclosed by a braid or impervious sheath overall. This arrangement adds a second shield-like conductor to the coaxial structure.
The extra concentric conductor of triaxial cable provides additional shielding and allows the two outer conductors to serve separate functions, such as an inner shield carrying signal return and an outer shield handling interference and ground. This improves noise rejection and is valued in demanding instrumentation and video applications.
In commercial and industrial systems, triaxial cable serves applications such as precision instrumentation and broadcast video, where its added shielding improves signal integrity. Recognizing the construction helps in understanding how triax differs from coaxial cable.
Because the extra concentric conductor of triaxial cable provides additional shielding and allows the two outer conductors to serve separate functions, such as an inner shield carrying signal return and an outer shield handling interference and ground, triax improves noise rejection in demanding applications.
At Windy City Wire, an understanding of shielded cable constructions, including triaxial cable, reflects a focus on matching cable to demanding signal requirements. Recognizing how triax adds a concentric conductor for extra shielding helps illustrate the range of constructions available for commercial and industrial signal applications.
Also called triax