Copper Cabling

Identify the basic characteristics of copper cabling.

Characteristics of Copper Cabling

Copper cabling is the most common type of cabling used in networks today. It is inexpensive, easy to install, and has low resistance to electrical current flow.

• Limitations:
  • Attenuation – the longer the electrical signals have to travel, the weaker they get.
  • The electrical signal is susceptible to interference from two sources, which can distort and corrupt the data signals (Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Crosstalk).
• Mitigation:
  • Strict adherence to cable length limits will mitigate attenuation.
  • Some kinds of copper cable mitigate EMI and RFI by using metallic shielding and grounding.
  • Some kinds of copper cable mitigate crosstalk by twisting opposing circuit pair wires together

Types of Copper Cabling

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
  • The outer jacket protects the copper wires from physical damage.
  • Twisted pairs protect the signal from interference.
  • 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

Commonly used in the following situations:

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

• Consists of the following:
  • 1. Outer cable jacket to prevent minor physical damage
  • 2. A layer of flexibA woven copper braid, or metallic foil, acts as the second wire in the circuit and as a shield for the inner conductor.
  • 3. le plastic insulation
  • 4. A copper conductor is used to transmit the electronic signals. There are different types of connectors used with coax cable.

Other related topics

 Other useful information

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• 200-301 CCNA Exam Questions and Solutions
• 200-301 CCNA Exam Topics