What is a practical consequence of not using shielding and grounding in sensor wiring?

• A. No consequences.
• B. Increased susceptibility to EMI but data integrity may still be okay.
• C. EMI issues only affect aesthetics.
• D. Increased EMI leading to false triggers and unreliable data.

Answer: (D)

Shielding and grounding keep sensor wiring from acting like antennas that pick up unwanted electromagnetic interference. Without them, nearby motors, power lines, or radios can couple noise into the signal, causing fluctuations, spikes, and baseline drift. In practice, that interference can push readings across thresholds, triggering false events and making measurements unreliable. So the main consequence is increased EMI that leads to false triggers and inconsistent data.