Wires and Cables


  • Network Cabling

    A cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to the another. There are several types of cables, which can be used to connect network devices. Some networks will utilize only one type of cables, others may use a variety of cable types.

    Many factors will determine which type of cable should be used in a particular network. Some of these factors are the topology of the network, its size, and the protocol.

  • Types of Cables:

    • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

    • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable

    • Coaxial Cable

    • Fiber Optic Cable

    • Wireless LANs

  • Twisted Pair Cabling:

    • Unshielded Cables

    • Shielded Cables

  • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable


    twisted cable

    Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) is the most popular type of cable. It is generally the best option for most of networks. The quality of this kind of cable can vary from telephone-grade wire to extremely high-speed cable.This type of cable has four pairs of wires inside the jacket. Eash pair is twisted with different number of twists per inch to help eliminate interference from adjacent pairs and other electrical devices. Twisting is the triggering element - the tighter the twisting, the higher the supported transmission rate and the greater the cost per foot.

    • Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair

      There are six categories of unshielded twisted pair available:

      Category 1      Used for Voice Only (Telephone Wire)

      Category 2      Used for Data to 4 Mbps (Local Talk)

      Category 3      Used for Data to 10 Mbps (Ethernet)

      Category 4      Used for Data to 20 Mbps (16 Mbps Token Ring)

      Category 5      Used for Data to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)

      Category 6      Used for Gigabit connections

    • Unshielded Twisted Pair Connector


      twisted cable connector

      RJ-45 is a standard conncetor for unshielded twisted pair cabling. RJ stands for Registered Jack. The connector follows a standard used in the telephone industry. The standard designates which wire goes with each pin inside the connector.

  • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable

    Though Unshielded twisted pair is the most popular cable, it has a disadvantage of being susceptible to radio and electrical frequency interference. In those type of environments Shielded twisted pair (STP) is more suitable for overcoming the interference. The down side of this type of cable is that the extra shielding makes the cable bulky.

    • Coaxial Cable


      coaxial cable

      Coaxial cabling consists of a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield. The metal shield helps to block any outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers.

      Coaxial cable may be difficult to install, however, it is highly resistant to signal interference. This cable can also support greater lengths between network devices as compared to twisted pair cable.

    • Thick Coaxial Cabling

      Also know as thicknet. The maximum segment length on this cable is 500 meters. This type of coaxial cable has an extra protective plastic cover that helps keep moisture away from the center conductor. This makes this cable a great choice when running long lengths in a linear bus network. Being a thick cable, it does not bend easily and is difficult to install.

    • Thin Coaxial Cabling

      Also known as thinnet.The maximum segment length of this type of cable is 185 meters. Thin coaxial cable is used in linear bus networks.

    • Coaxial Cable Connector


      coaxial cable connector

      Bayone-Neill-Concelman (BNC) is the most common type of connector used with coaxial cables. A BNC connector requires an adapter. The following adapters are available: T-connector, barrel connector, and terminator.

    • Coaxial Cable


      coaxial cable

      Coaxial cabling consists of a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield. The metal shield helps to block any outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers.

      Coaxial cable may be difficult to install, however, is is highly resistant to signal interference. This cable can also support greater lengths between network devices as compared to twisted pair cable.

    • Thick Coaxial Cabling

      Also know as thicknet. The maximum segment length on this cable is 500 meters. This type of coaxial cable has an extra protective plastic cover that helps keep moisture away from the center conductor. This makes this cable a great choice when running long lengths in a linear bus network. Being a thick cable, it does not bend easily and is difficult to install.

    • Thin Coaxial Cabling

      Also known as thinnet.The maximum segment length of this type of cable is 185 meters. Thin coaxial cable is used in linear bus networks.

    • Fiber Optic Cable


      fiber optic cable

      Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of protective materials. It transmits light rather than electronical signals, thus eliminating the problem of electrical interference. The fiber optic cable is moisture and lighting resistant, thus it has been adopted as means of connectivity of networks between buildings.

      Fiber optic cable transmits signals over much longer distances than coaxial and twisted pair. It also carries information at mucn greater speeds.

      The cost of fiber optic cabling is comparable to copper cabling, though it is more difficult to install and modify.

    • Fiber Optic Cable Connector

      The most common connector used with fiber optic cable is a ST connector. It is similar to BNC connector.


      ST connector


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    Updated 11/27/04