Saturday 10 September 2016

UTP/STP Ethernet Cables

  • Ethernet Cables are carries the broadband signals between your router, modem , computer and other wired internet capable devices.
  • This devices are used to connect devices on Local Area Networks.
  • All Ethernet Cables are Twisted Pair cables.

Ethernet Cables are physically manufactured in two basic forms which are:
  • Stranded Cable
  • Solid Cable
Stranded Cable:
  • Stranded cables are uses a series of copper cables twisted together.
  • This are more flexible and should be used at home networks or anywhere you may be moving the cable around often. 
Solid Cable:
  • Solid cables are used a single piece of copper for the electrical conductor.
  • This cables are not as flexible but it more strong which makes it ideal for permanent installations as well as outdoor and in walls.

Stranded vs Solid Cables:

Major Categories of Ethernet Cables:

CategoryCable TypeMaximum SpeedMaximum BandwidthMaximum LengthApplication
CAT1UTP1 MBPS1 MHZ-Old Telephones
CAT2UTP4 MBPS4 MHZ-Telephone and Token Ring Networks
CAT3UTP10 MBPS16 MHZ100 metersToken Ring Networks and 10Base-T Ethernet installation
CAT4UTP16 MBPS20 MHZ100 metersToken Ring Networks
CAT5UTP100 MBPS100 MHZ100 metersEthernet, Fast Ethernet, Token Ring Networks
CAT5eUTP1 GBPS100 MHZ100 metersEthernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
CAT6UTP or STP10 GBPS250 MHZ55 metersGiga Ethernet, 10 Giga Ethernet
CAT6aSTP10 GBPS500 MHZ100 metersGiga Ethernet, 10 Giga Ethernet
CAT7SSTP10 GBPS600 MHZ100 metersGiga Ethernet, 10 Giga Ethernet

UTP vs STP:
  • UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair.
  • STP stands for Shielded Twisted Pair.
  • SSTP stands for Shield Shielded Twisted Pair.



Ethernet Cables: