1.

Open-Wire:
An open wire transmission line is made up of two parallel wires. Non-conductive spacers are used
between the wires to separate and support them. The distance between the conducting wires is any
where between 2 to 6 inches.

Advantages:
1. The open wire transmission line pair is typically used to transmit acoustic waves for telephone
applications.
2. The advantage of the open wire line is its simplicity construction.
Disadvantage:
1. The major disadvantage of the open wire line pair is its high energy loss.
2. Additionally, the wire pair is capable of picking up random signals, resulting in interference
(crosstalk).
3. Noise is reacting to this transmission line.

2. Parallel Twin-Wire:
Parallel Twin Wire often called flat-twin wire made up two conductors separate by a dielectric plastic
such as polyethylene. The distance between the conducting wires is 5/16 inch or 0.30 inch. Flat-twin
lead is most common used because it is economically low, it has low losses, and it is flexible for ease of
handling. It is available with 300 ohms impedance and matches with the receiver input impedance. It is
used where balanced properties are required.
Advantages:
1. It is used in TV-Receivers (having 300 ohms impedance) or a rhombic-antenna to an HF
transmitter.
2. Parallel transmission line has the advantage that its losses are an order of magnitude smaller
than coaxial cable.
Disadvantages:
1. It is most vulnerable to interference.
2. It must keep away from metal objects which can cause power losses.
3. It is unsuitable for use with frequencies exceeding one or two hundreds MHz.
3. Co-axial Line or Cable:
This line consists of center (inner) conductor in a dielectric that is enclosed by a metallic shield which is a
flexible braided conductor of copper. A plastic jacket is molded over the entire line as protective coating.
The outer conductor acts as grounded shield with only one inner conductor means that it is used in
unbalanced transmission configuration due to different parameters of both conductors.

Advantages:
1. Co-axial lines are best suited for high frequencies.
2. This type of line does not radiate energy due to complete shielding.
3. Co-axial lines are used in noisy locations.
4. It is used where multiple lines and interfering are run.
5. It is work up to 18 GHz.
Disadvantages:
1. Common mode current occurs when stray currents in the shield flow in the same direction as
the current in the center conductor, causing the coax to radiate.
2. A continuous current, even if small, along the imperfect shield of a coaxial cable can cause
visible or audible interference.
3. The gaps or holes in braided shield allow some of the electromagnetic field to penetrate to the
other side.

4. Twisted Pair:
A twisted pair transmission line is formed when two individual insulated wire conductors are twisted
around one other. Twisted pair lines are shielded to prevent energy loss and external interference. The
shielding offered is typically metallic. The twisting cancels out all electromagnetic interference from
neighboring sources. It is used as both configuration i.e. (balanced & unbalanced) but it is recommended
for balanced configuration. In balanced pair operation, the two wires carry equal and opposite signals
and the destination detects the difference between the two. This is known as differential
mode transmission which is used in twisted pair.
Advantages:
1. Co-axial lines are best suited for high frequencies.
2. This type of line does not radiate energy due to complete shielding.
Disadvantages:
1. Common mode current occurs when stray currents in the shield flow in the same direction as
the current in the center conductor, causing the coax to radiate.
2. A continuous current, even if small, along the imperfect shield of a coaxial cable can cause