Nested shielded ribbon cables

A first electrical cable comprising a plurality of conductor sets extending along a length of the cable assembly and spaced apart from each other along a width of the cable, each conductor set comprising:

• at least one insulated conductor substantially surrounded by an electrically conductive shield;
• and
• first and second carrier films disposed on opposite first and second sides of the first electrical cable, the first and second carrier films including cover portions and pinched portions arranged such that the cover portions of the first and second carrier films in combination substantially surround each conductor set and the pinched portions of the first and second carrier films in combination form pinched portions of the cable on each side of each conductor set, wherein, when the cable is laid flat, a width of at least one pinched portion is greater than a diameter of an insulated conductor of a conductor set, and wherein the at least one pinched portion comprises a slot therein that extends through the cable, the slot having a slot width that is not greater than the width of the at least one pinched portion and a slot length that is less than the length of the cable, the slot being sufficiently wide to allow an insulated conductor of a conductor set disposed in the at least one pinched portion to at least partially penetrate the slot.