What type of cable uses an inner insulated conductor and is known for its braided metal shield?

The type of cable that uses an inner insulated conductor and is characterized by its braided metal shield is coaxial cable. Coaxial cable consists of a central conductor, which is insulated, surrounded by a braided metal shield that serves multiple functions. This shield helps to protect the inner conductor from external interference and allows for higher frequency signals to be transmitted with minimal loss.

Coaxial cables are commonly used in applications such as cable television, internet data transmission, and other radio frequency communications. The design of the cable, with its dual conductor system (the central conductor and the surrounding shield), facilitates the efficient transfer of signals over long distances.

In contrast, twinaxial cables are used predominantly for short-distance connections, particularly in data center environments, and do not typically feature the same structural design as coaxial cables. Ethernet cables, commonly used for networking, utilize twisted pairs of wires to reduce crosstalk but lack the distinctive outer shield of coaxial cable. Optical fiber cables, on the other hand, carry data as light signals through glass or plastic fibers and do not employ metal shielding in the same manner as coaxial cables.