This tutorial explains the types of network cables used in computer networks in detail. Learn the specifications, standards, and features of the coaxial cable, twisted-pair cable, and fiber-optical cable. Show
To connect two or more computers or networking devices in a network, network cables are used. There are three types of network cables; coaxial, twisted-pair, and fiber-optic. Coaxial cableThis cable contains a conductor, insulator, braiding, and sheath. The sheath covers the braiding, the braiding covers the insulation, and the insulation covers the conductor. The following image shows these components.  SheathThis is the outer layer of the coaxial cable. It protects the cable from physical damage. Braided shieldThis shield protects signals from external interference and noise. This shield is built from the same metal that is used to build the core. InsulationInsulation protects the core. It also keeps the core separate from the braided shield. Since both the core and the braided shield use the same metal, without this layer, they will touch each other and create a short-circuit in the wire. ConductorThe conductor carries electromagnetic signals. Based on conductor a coaxial cable can be categorized into two types; single-core coaxial cable and multi-core coaxial cable. A single-core coaxial cable uses a single central metal (usually copper) conductor, while a multi-core coaxial cable uses multiple thin strands of metal wires. The following image shows both types of cable. Coaxial cables in computer networksThe coaxial cables were not primarily developed for the computer network. These cables were developed for general purposes. They were in use even before computer networks came into existence. They are still used even their use in computer networks has been completely discontinued. At the beginning of computer networking, when there were no dedicated media cables available for computer networks, network administrators began using coaxial cables to build computer networks. Because of its low cost and long durability, coaxial cables were used in computer networking for nearly two decades (the 80s and 90s). Coaxial cables are no longer used to build any type of computer network. Specifications of coaxial cablesCoaxial cables have been in use for the last four decades. During these years, based on several factors such as the thickness of the sheath, the metal of the conductor, and the material used in insulation, hundreds of specifications have been created to specify the characteristics of coaxial cables. From these specifications, only a few were used in computer networks. The following table lists them.
Twisted-pair cablesThe twisted-pair cable was primarily developed for computer networks. This cable is also known as Ethernet cable. Almost all modern LAN computer networks use this cable. This cable consists of color-coded pairs of insulated copper wires. Every two wires are twisted around each other to form pair. Usually, there are four pairs. Each pair has one solid color and one stripped color wire. Solid colors are blue, brown, green, and orange. In stripped color, the solid color is mixed with the white color. Based on how pairs are stripped in the plastic sheath, there are two types of twisted-pair cable; UTP and STP. In the UTP (Unshielded twisted-pair) cable, all pairs are wrapped in a single plastic sheath. In the STP (Shielded twisted-pair) cable, each pair is wrapped with an additional metal shield, then all pairs are wrapped in a single outer plastic sheath. Similarities and differences between STP and UTP cables
The following image shows both types of twisted-pair cables. To learn how twisted-pair cables are used in the LAN network, you can check the following tutorial. Twisted-pair cabling This tutorial explains how the twisted-pair cable works and how it is used to connect different networking devices in a network. The TIA/EIA specifies standards for the twisted-pair cable. The first standards were released in 1991, known as TIA/EIA 568. Since then, these standards have been continually revised to cover the latest technologies and developments of the transmission media. The TIA/EIA 568 divides the twisted-pair cable into several categories. The following table lists the most common and popular categories of twisted-pair cable.
Fiber optic cableThis cable consists of a core, cladding, buffer, and jacket. The core is made from thin strands of glass or plastic that can carry data over a long distance. The core is wrapped in the cladding; the cladding is wrapped in the buffer, and the buffer is wrapped in the jacket.
Fiber optic cable is completely immune to EMI and RFI. This cable can transmit data over a long distance at the highest speed. It can transmit data up to 40 kilometers at the speed of 100Gbps. Fiber optic uses light to send data. It reflects light from one endpoint to another. Based on how many beams of light are transmitted at a given time, there are two types of fiber optical cable; SMF and MMF. SMF (Single-mode fiber) optical cableThis cable carries only a single beam of light. This is more reliable and supports much higher bandwidth and longer distances than the MMF cable. This cable uses a laser as the light source and transmits 1300 or 1550 nano-meter wavelengths of light. MMF (multi-mode fiber) optical cableThis cable carries multiple beams of light. Because of multiple beams, this cable carries much more data than the SMF cable. This cable is used for shorter distances. This cable uses an LED as the light source and transmits 850 or 1300 nano-meter wavelengths of light. That’s all for this tutorial. If you like this tutorial, please share it with friends via your favorite social networking sites and subscribe to our YouTube channel. By ComputerNetworkingNotes Updated on 2022-04-07 07:09:41 IST Which cable has four twisted pairs?CAT3, CAT4 and CAT5 cables are actually 4 pairs of twisted copper wires and CAT5 has more twists per inch than CAT3 therefore can run at higher speeds and greater lengths.
What type of cable is twisted pair?A twisted-pair cabling system is a cable consisting of one or several pairs of copper wires. These wires are twisted together and around each other and are insulated with a dielectric polymeric compound.
What contains 4 pairs of wires that can transmit and receive data?T4 cabling uses all four pairs of wires. Three pairs transmit data, while the fourth pair detects collisions.
How many twisted pairs are in RJ45?Internally, RJ45 devices contain 8 pins and 8 wire positions used to handle signals or power, so they can accommodate 4 twisted wire pairs.
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