What are the types of copper cabling? Explain any one in detail.

 There are three types of Copper cables: 

1. Unshielded Twisted Pair
2. Shielded Twisted Pair
3. Coaxial Cable

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

• UTP is the most common networking media.
• Terminated with RJ-45 connectors
• Interconnects hosts with intermediary network devices.

Key Characteristics of UTP

1. The outer jacket protects the copper wires from physical damage.
2. Twisted pairs protect the signal from interference.
3. Color-coded plastic insulation electrically isolates the wires from each other and identifies each pair.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

• Better noise protection than UTP
• More expensive than UTP
• Harder to install than UTP
• Terminated with RJ-45 connectors
• Interconnects hosts with intermediary network devices

Key Characteristics of STP

1. The outer jacket protects the copper wires from physical damage
2. Braided or foil shield provides EMI/RFI protection
3. Foil shield for each pair of wires provides EMI/RFI protection
4. Color-coded plastic insulation electrically isolates the wires from each other and identifies each pair

Coaxial Cable

Consists of the following:

1. Outer cable jacket to prevent minor physical damage
2. A woven copper braid, or metallic foil, acts as the second wire in the circuit and as a shield for the inner conductor.
3. A layer of flexible plastic insulation
4. A copper conductor is used to transmit the electronic signals.

There are different types of connectors used with coax cable.

Commonly used in the following situations:

• Wireless installations - attach antennas to wireless devices
• Cable internet installations - customer premises wiring