Twisted Pair Cable Types, Wiring, and Categories | Online Free DevTools by Hexmos

Understand twisted pair cable types (UTP, STP, FTP, S/FTP), TIA/EIA 568A and 568B wiring standards, and category specifications (CAT 3 to CAT 8) for networking.

Twisted Pair Cables

Understanding Twisted Pair Cables: Types, Wiring, and Categories

Twisted pair cabling is a fundamental component in modern networking, used extensively in Ethernet connections. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of different twisted pair cable types, standard wiring configurations, and their performance categories.

Cable Types

Cable Type Shielding Description Use Case
UTP None Twisted wires to reduce EMI and crosstalk Most common and basic type of cable for general networking.
STP Foil wrapping or copper braid jacket Twisted wires wrapped with shielding material for enhanced protection. Used in environments with high electromagnetic interference (EMI) or crosstalk concerns.
FTP Foil wrapping around each twisted pair Each pair of wires is individually wrapped in foil for superior shielding. Offers better protection against EMI and crosstalk than UTP, suitable for more demanding applications.
S/FTP Combines FTP and STP shielding Each pair is foiled (FTP), and the entire cable bundle is further shielded with a braid (STP). Provides the highest level of protection against EMI and crosstalk, ideal for high-speed and critical network infrastructure.

Wiring Standards

Two primary wiring standards are used for terminating twisted pair cables:

TIA/EIA 568A Wiring Standard

PIN Color
1 White and Green
2 Green
3 White and Orange
4 Blue
5 White and Blue
6 Orange
7 White and Brown
8 Brown

TIA/EIA 568B Wiring Standard

PIN Color
1 White and Orange
2 Orange
3 White and Green
4 Blue
5 White and Blue
6 Green
7 White and Brown
8 Brown

Note: For standard Ethernet connections between devices like a PC and a switch, both ends of the cable should use the same standard (e.g., both 568A or both 568B). For direct connections between two similar devices (e.g., PC to PC), a crossover cable is needed, which uses one end with 568A and the other with 568B.

Cable Categories

The category of a twisted pair cable defines its performance characteristics, including bandwidth and maximum speed over a given distance. Higher categories offer better performance.

CATEGORY Frequency (MHz) Max Speed Max Distance
CAT 3 UTP 16MHz 10 Mbps 100m
CAT 4 UTP 20MHz 16 Mbps 100m
CAT 5 UTP 100MHz 100 Mbps 100m
CAT 5e UTP 100MHz 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) 100m
CAT 5e STP 100MHz 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) 100m
CAT 6 UTP 250MHz 10 Gbps 33-55m
CAT 6a STP 500MHz 10 Gbps 100m
CAT 7 STP 600MHz 10 Gbps 100m
CAT 7a STP 1000MHz 10 Gbps 100m
CAT 8 STP 2000MHz 25/40 Gbps 30m

Understanding these specifications is crucial for designing and maintaining efficient and reliable network infrastructure. For more detailed information on networking standards, refer to resources like the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standards.