Ferrite Cable Cores

Ferrite cable cores are magnetic cores made from ferrite. The windings of electrical components like electrical transformers and inductors are often formed on ferrite cable cores. Ferrite is used in cable cores as it has several beneficial properties, including high magnetic permeability, low electrical conductivity, and low losses when operating at high frequencies. Ferrite cable cores are often found in RF transformers and inductors in devices like switched-mode power supplies.

What does a ferrite core do?

Ferrite cable cores effectively act as a one-turn choke. They can be used to reduce conducted and radiated emissions from cables and supress any high frequency pick-up within the cable.

Are ferrite cable cores necessary?

It depends on what a cable is being used for. Ferrite cable cores are often used to prevent high frequency radiation from causing disturbances to sound or pictures. If a cable is specifically designed or used for the purposes of sending high frequency audio and visual signals, then a ferrite cable core isn’t necessary.

Are ferrite cable cores needed on HDMI cables?

No. Ferrite cable cores are typically used on power cables that may cause audio and visual disturbances due to high frequency transmissions. However, the purpose of a HDMI cable is to carry high frequency signals.

Does a USB cable need a ferrite cable core?

No. Although it is possible for USB cables to have a ferrite cable core, these often make little to no difference in terms of noticeable user performance.