Cables are devices used for the transmission of information from one network to another. Sometimes networks may utilise only one type of cable, while others might use a variety, depending upon the network’s size and protocol. The different types of cables are Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable, Coaxial Cable, Fiber Optic Cable.

 

Twisted Pair cabling includes two conductors where the forward and return conductors of a single circuit are twisted together. Twisting helps reduce the crosstalk between the wires and once twisted with copper, it is known as a cable unit, the entire cable is then wound onto a reel or a coil. Twisted pair cabling is used in high bandwidth data transfer.

 

Among the twisted pair cabling both Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) as well as Shielded Twisted Pair are almost equally used except that, when there is a lot of radio or electrical frequency interference, transmission gets interrupted and therefore shielded cables are preferred over unshielded ones, although the latter is less expensive. These shielded cables also help to increase the distance between the cables giving better and uninterrupted transmission. We will be learning about the Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable here.

 

STP cables are each individually covered with copper foil or the wires may be grouped and shielded alternatively each individual wire may be covered in foil and the group also shielded. This enables the maximum bandwidth capacity despite unfavourable conditions outside. The dimensions of STP cable range from 3 ft, 20 ft, 100 ft to 1000 ft long and the cable types are Cat 5, Cat5e and Cat6.

 

They are generally used in places like large offices that require extensive bandwidth, places that are vulnerable to interference from electromagnetic sources, high security buildings and in places that are sensitive to electrical current.

 

 

See also:

 

Fibre Optic Cable - Simple Technology and Greater Bandwidth

Wireless LANs- Their Advantages and Disadvantages as Compared to Wired Networks

Introduction to Network Cabling: Cables for Computer Networking

Ethernet Cable Specifications for Maximizing Speed and Efficiency

Networking through Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cables

Coaxial Cables - Brief Characteristics and Features of Coaxial Cables for Networking