What potential problem can electromagnetic interference (EMI) cause in a wiring installation?

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can disrupt the normal operation of electronic devices and systems by introducing unwanted noise or signals that can corrupt the data being transmitted. When EMI impacts a wiring installation, it can lead to signal integrity issues. This means that the quality of the electrical signals can be degraded, resulting in data loss or errors in communication.

For instance, in a data cable installation, if the cables are not properly shielded or situated away from potential sources of EMI (like motors, fluorescent lights, or other devices), the signals can become distorted. This interference could cause slow data transmission speeds, errors in data packets, or even complete loss of communication, which undermines the reliability of the system. Consequently, ensuring that installations are designed and executed with EMI considerations is crucial for maintaining high-performance electronics and communication systems.