Networking cables

Following are the main types of Cables:

1. Twisted pair Cable
a) Unshielded Twisted Pair UTP) Cable
b) !hielded Twisted Pair !TP) Cable
". Coa#ial Cable
$. Fiber %ptic Cable
Twisted pair Cable: These are the most common types of cable &sed in
today's ()N networks.) pair of wires forms a circ&it that can transmit data.
The pairs are twisted to pro*ide protection against crosstalk+ the noise generated
by ad,acent pairs. -hen a wire is carrying a c&rrent+ the c&rrent creates a
magnetic field aro&nd the wire. This field can interfere with signals on nearby
wires. To eliminate this+ pairs of wires carry signals in opposite directions+ so
that the two magnetic fields also occ&r in opposite directions and cancel each
other o&t. This process is known as cancellation. Two Types of Twisted Pairs are
!hielded Twisted Pair !TP) and Unshielded Twisted Pair UTP).
Unshielded Twisted PairUTP) Cable:

conductor
insulation
pair
sheath
UTP

.nternal !tr&ct&re of UTP
Unshielded twisted/pair UTP) consists of fo&r pairs of thin+ copper wires
co*ered in color/coded plastic ins&lation that are twisted together. The wire pairs
are then co*ered with a plastic o&ter ,acket. The connector &sed on a UTP cable
is called a 0egistered 1ack 23 01/23) connector.

01/23 P.N! 45!C0.PT.%N
Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair
!hielded Twisted Pair !TP) Cable:
) disad*antage of UTP is that it may be s&sceptible to radio and electrical
fre6&ency
interference. !hielded twisted pair !TP) is s&itable for en*ironments with
electrical
interference7 howe*er+ the e#tra shielding can make the cables 6&ite b&lky.
!hielded
twisted pair is often &sed on networks &sing Token 0ing topology.

Straight-through cable is a type of twisted pair copper wire
cable for local area network ()N) &se for which the 01/23
connectors at each end ha*e the same pinout i.e.+ arrangement
of cond&ctors). .t is identical to crosso*er cable+ e#cept that in
the latter the wires on the cable are crossed over so that the
recei*e signal pins on the connector on one end are connected
to the transmit signal pins on the connector on the other end.
!traight/thro&gh cable is also commonly referred to as patch
cable.
Coa#ial Cable : Coa#ial cabling has a single copper cond&ctor at its center. )
plastic layer pro*ides ins&lation between the center cond&ctor and a braided
metal shield.The metal shield helps to block any o&tside interference from
fl&orescent lights+ motors+ and other comp&ters.

Coa#ial Cable Connectors :
The most common type of connector &sed with coa#ial cables is the
8ayone/Neill/Concelman 8NC) connector !ee fig. 2). 4ifferent types of
adapters are a*ailable for 8NC connectors+ incl&ding a T/connector+ barrel
connector+ and terminator. Connectors on the cable are the weakest points in any
network. To help a*oid problems with yo&r network+ always &se the 8NC
connectors that crimp+ rather screw+ onto the cable.

8NC connector
Fiber %ptic Cable: Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core
s&rro&nded by se*eral layers of protecti*e materials..t transmits light rather
than electronic signals eliminating the problem of electrical interference. This
makes it ideal for certain en*ironments that contain a large amo&nt of electrical
interference.Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals o*er m&ch
longer distances than coa#ial and twisted pair. .t also has the capability to carry
information at *astly greater speeds.