What are the Types of Cables?

CONNECTING DEVICES

Cable

          -it is a medium that connects computer in a network. Alternatively referred to as a cord, connector or plug, a cable is one or more wires covered in a plastic covering that allows for the transmission of power or data between devices. The picture is an example of what the power cord may look like for your computer or monitor. The power cord is just one example of thousands of other cables found in and around computers.

Types of Cables

1. Twisted-pair cable- the use of two wires twisted together helps to reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic induction. While twisted-pair cable is used by older telephone networks and is the least expensive type of local-area network (LAN) cable, most networks contain some twisted-pair cabling at some point along the network.

          a. Shielded twisted pair (STP) cable- was originally designed by IBM for token ring networks that include two individual wires covered with a foil shielding, which prevents electromagnetic interference, thereby transporting data faster. 

     b. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables- are widely used in the computer and telecommunications industry as Ethernet cables and telephone wires. In an UTP cable, conductors which form a single circuit aretwisted around each other in order to cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources.

2. Coaxial cable- is a type of electrical cable that has an inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield. Many coaxial cables also have an insulating outer sheath or jacket.

3. Fiber-optic cable- is an assembly similar to an electrical cable, but containing one or more optical fibers that are used to carry light. The optical fiber elements are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a protective tube suitable for the environment where the cable will be deployed.

           Straight-through-  is the most common type and is used to connect computers to hubs or switches. They are most likely what you will find when you go to your local computer store and buy a patch cable.

           Crossover- is more commonly used to connect a computer to a computer and may be a little harder to find since they aren’t used nearly as much as straight through cable.