Page 189 - Computer_Science_F5

Computer Science (Cat5e) and Category 6 (Cat6) as shown in Table 3.8. Higher categories are designed
to carry higher bandwidth. The choice of UTP cables depends on the intended
application. The standard connector for UTP cabling is a Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45)
connector.

FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Table 3.8: Categories of UTP cables
Type Use
Category 1 Voice Only (Telephone Wire)

Category 2 Data to 4 Mbps (Local Talk)
Category 3 Data to 10 Mbps (Ethernet)
Category 4 Data to 20 Mbps (16 Mbps Token Ring)

Category 5 Data to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
Category 6 Data to gigabit connections

Advantages of Unshielded Twisted Pairs less affected by Electromagnet Induction
(a) It is easy to install and maintain, (EMI) compared to UTP cables because

(b) It is flexible. of the metal casing. It has the same
attenuation (decrease of signal strength
(c) It is cheap compared to coaxial and due to length/distance of medium)
fibre optic cables. as unshielded twisted pair. Shielded

(d) It has a high-speed capacity of up Twisted Pair cables are faster and more
to 100Mbps and with category 6 it expensive than unshielded and coaxial
also handles gigabit connections. cables. Figure 3.34 shows an example of

a shielded twisted pair cable.
Disadvantages of Unshielded Twisted
Pairs
(a) It has low bandwidth when compared
with coaxial cable.

(b) It has poor protection against
interference/noise.
(c) It has limitations in distance.
Figure 3.34: Example of shielded twisted
pair cable
Shielded Twisted Pair cable
Shielded Twisted Pairs (STP) cable is a Advantages of Shielded Twisted Pair
cable braided with wire mesh that encases (a) It is easy to install.
each insulated wire pair. STP cables are (b) It has adequate performance.

180
for Advanced Secondary Schools

Computer Science Form 5.indd 180 23/07/2024 12:33