Computer Network Cabling

Communications cables are used to connect and transfer data and information between
computers, routers, switches and storage area networks. These cables are essentially the
carrier or media through which data flows.

There are mainly 4 different types of Network Cables.

Coaxial Cable

 Single core Coaxial Cable

 Multi core Coaxial Cable

Coaxial Cable are the foundation for local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks
(WANs), linking PCs to routers, switches, and modems. Coaxial cables are perfect for data-
intensive applications like file sharing, online gaming, and video streaming since they
perform well in areas where electromagnetic interference is common. Coaxial cables offer a
reliable and strong connectivity option for computer networks.

Fiber Optic Cable

 SMF (Single-mode fiber) optical cable

Single-mode fiber (SMF) optical cables consist of a narrow glass core surrounded by layers of
protective material, enabling the transmission of light signals over long distances with
minimal signal loss. SMF cables offer high bandwidth and are ideal for applications requiring
high-speed data transmission over extended distances, such as telecommunications
networks, long-haul data connections, and backbone infrastructure. For mission-critical
communications and dependable connectivity where performance and dependability are
crucial, SMF optical cables are indispensable due to their capacity to preserve signal integrity
over extended distances.

 MMF (multi-mode fiber) optical cable

Multi-mode fiber (MMF) optical cables feature a larger core diameter than single-mode
fibers, allowing for the transmission of multiple light signals simultaneously. MMF cables are
well-suited for short to medium-distance data transmission applications, offering cost-
effective solutions for local area networks (LANs), campus networks, and data center
interconnections. With their ability to support high bandwidth over relatively shorter
distances, MMF optical cables are commonly deployed in environments where space and
budget constraints are considerations. They provide reliable connectivity for applications
such as data transfer, video streaming, and cloud computing, making them integral
components of modern network infrastructure.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable

Often referred to colloquially as simply ethernet cables, STP cables employ a special type of
copper telephone wiring used for business installations. An external shield functioning as a
ground is added to the standard twisted pair of telephone wires.

Shielded twisted pair cables can be perfect if you want to set up cables in an area with
potential interference and risks to an unshielded twisted pair cable’s electrical current.
Shielded twisted pair cables can also help to expand the distance between the cables.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are broadly used in the telecommunications and
computer industries as ethernet cables and telephone wires. In a UTP cable, conductors
forming a single circuit are twisted around one another to cancel out electromagnetic
interference (EMI) from external sources.

Different Categories of Network Cables

Network cables are categorized into eight segments, each offering specific features and
capabilities to meet varying connectivity needs:

 Cat5: Introduced in the mid-1990s, Cat5 cables brought fast ethernet capabilities,
providing higher speeds and improved resistance to interference compared to earlier
categories.
 Cat6: Offering enhanced data transfer rates over Cat5, Cat6 cables are utilized in
commercial buildings requiring Gigabit ethernet connectivity. Cat6a, introduced in
2009, further enhances Cat6’s capabilities.
  Cat7: Providing a robust infrastructure, Cat7 cables offer improved performance and
shielding compared to previous categories. Cat7a, a refined version, can transmit
data at speeds up to 40 Gigabits per second.
 Cat8: With conductors wrapped in foil, Cat8 cables enable even higher data rates,
making them suitable for demanding applications in modern networks. They offer
advanced performance and reliability for high-speed data transmission.

Here we will focus on UTP ethernet cabling.

How to Read Ethernet Cable Specification?
Ethernet cable specifications
 Ethernet Cable Category: Described as CAT. Up to now, there are various versions of
Ethernet cables, including Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and the latest version Cat8.
They have different performances, and you should do the search before buying.
 Cable Jacket Ratings: Cable jackets are designed to protect the cable’s conductor
from physical damage and the exterior environment. It is essential to use the correct
cable jacket when cables are installed through walls, under the floor, or outdoors.
The four main ratings of cable jackets are CM/CMG, CMX, CMP, and CMR. CM is the
most basic type, CMP is generally used for plenum applications, and CMX is for
outdoor applications.
When planning the installation of Ethernet cables in walls or ceilings, understanding
terms like CM, CMR, CMP, PVC, and LSZH becomes essential. These terms denote
specific fire resistance ratings and materials specified by the National Electric Code
(NEC) to ensure safety and compliance with building codes. This article provides a
comprehensive analysis of CM, CMR, and CMP Ethernet cable jacket ratings, aiding in
choosing the appropriate cable for different installation scenarios.
 CM (Communication Multipurpose) cables are designed for general indoor use
where fire codes do not impose strict restrictions on cable types. They are suitable
for in-wall installations within residences or single-story commercial buildings. The
primary goal of CM-rated cables is to prevent the spread of fire along the cable
pathway, thus serving as a basic level of protection.
CMR, or “Communications Multipurpose Cable, Riser,” is intended for use in vertical
risers or shafts between floors. These cables are rigorously tested and constructed to
be more flame-retardant compared to CM cables.
CMP, or “Communications Multipurpose Cable, Plenum,” is the highest-rated cable
designed for installation in air handling spaces such as plenum areas. Plenum spaces
facilitate air circulation throughout buildings, which can exacerbate fire hazards if
cables emit toxic smoke or flames spread rapidly. CMP cables are engineered with
materials that restrict flame propagation and emit minimal smoke. They are crucial in
ensuring fire safety and are mandated in environments where building codes require
stringent fire safety standards.
 Cable Shielding Types: Cable shielding can be divided into F/UTP, U/FTP, S/UTP,
SF/UTP, F/FTP, S/FTP, and SF/FTP. In some situations, people may refer to “U/UTP” as
“UTP” and “F/UTP” as FTP.

What is Unshielded Ethernet Cable?

 People often refer to an unshielded Ethernet cable as UTP. These Ethernet cables
have no extra insulation covering and provide less EMI protection. But they have the
same bandwidth, speed, and maximum distance as shielded cables in the same
category. Unshielded Ethernet cables are susceptible to interference from electrical
equipment and exterior influence such as temperature and water. So these network
cables are often used in indoor applications such as homes and offices.

What is a Shielded Ethernet Cable?

 The need for speed in the network drives the new development of cabling
technology and shield twisted cables have become commonly used in high-speed
networks. Shielded Ethernet cables are designed to protect from Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI). Shielded Ethernet cables help protect wire through different
constructions including braided and foil shielding. Compared to unshielded cables,
shielded Ethernet cables helps reduce electromagnetic interference and radio
frequency interference. So they are often used in applications where EMI and RFI are
big problems. Shielded Ethernet cables are referred to as “STP”, but it can be
confusing and there are different shielding types.
 Ethernet Cable Shielding Types
Shielded Ethernet cables usually feature a shielding for the entire cable or separated
twisted pairs. There are different Ethernet cable shielding types including F/UTP,
U/FTP, S/UTP, SF/UTP, F/FTP, S/FTP, and SF/FTP.
F/UTP ( Foiled With Unshielded Twisted Pairs), U/FTP (Unshielded With Foiled
Twisted Pairs), S/UTP (Shielded With Unshielded Twisted Pairs), SF/UTP (Shielded
and Foiled With Unshielded Twisted Pairs), F/FTP (Foiled With Foiled Twisted Pairs),
S/FTP (Shielded With Foiled Twisted Pairs), SF/FTP (Shielded and Foiled With Foiled
Twisted Pairs)
 Wire Gauge: Wire thickness is often described as wire gauge. When buying CAT5E,
CAT6, or CAT6A Ethernet cables, you may find the cable jacket is printed with AWG.
What does it mean? The full name of AWG is American Wire Gauge. In general, the
larger the AWG, the thinner the wire diameter.
 Maximum Installation Temperature: The Ethernet cable jacket is often printed with
the maximum operating temperature to ensure maximum cable performance.
 Cable bandwidth: Another specification you will find on the cable jacket is the cable
bandwidth in MHz, for example, 250 MHz.

Cable
CAT5 CAT5E CAT6 CAT6A CAT7 CAT8
Types
 100 100 250 500 600 2000
Bandwidth
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz

 Cable jacket material: PVC is the primary material for most Ethernet cables for its
flexibility and cost-effectiveness. There are also other materials for different
applications such as PUR, PE, and CPE. PVC cable jacket can cause toxic gas if burned,
so in some highly enclosed places, it should be replaced by LSZH cable jacket (Low
Smoke Zero Halogen) for added safety.
 Conductor material: The Ethernet cable quality varies on the market. The cable
conductor can be made of copper-clad aluminum or copper. Remember that copper-
clad aluminum is of poor quality, affecting the network data transmission. You’d
better choose a pure copper conductor.

Straight-Through vs. Crossover Cables

Ethernet cables are comprised of four twisting pairs of wires, each with a different colour:
orange, green, blue, and brown. Each pair consists of a solid-coloured wire and a white wire
with a stripe of the same colour. These wires are arranged in a specific order and terminated
with an RJ-45 connector at each end. The RJ-45 connector has eight pins, numbered from 1
to 8, that correspond to the wires in the cable.
Ethernet cables transmit data using electrical signals. Each pair of wires carries a positive or
negative signal that represents a binary digit (0 or 1). The signal is sent from the transmitter
(TX) of one device to another device’s receiver (RX). The TX and RX pins are assigned to
different pairs of wires depending on the speed and standard of the Ethernet cable. For
example, for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet, which operate at 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps,
respectively, the TX hooks are 1 and 2, and the RX pins are 3 and 6. For 1000BASE-T
Ethernet, which operates at 1 Gbps, the TX pins are 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the RX pins are 5, 6, 7,
and 8.
Straight-Through Cables
Straight-through cables are the most common type of Ethernet cables. They are used to
connect devices that operate at different layers of the network model, such as a computer
and a switch or a switch and a router. In a straight-through cable, the wires are arranged in
the same order at both ends of the cable. This means that one device’s TX pins are
connected to another device’s RX pins and vice versa. For example, pin 1 of one end is
connected to pin 1 of the other rear, pin 2 to pin 2, and onwards.
The standard wiring scheme for straight-through cables is called T568A, which follows this
order of wires from left to right: white-green, green, white-orange, blue, white-blue, orange,
white-brown, and brown. Another wiring scheme, called T568B, swaps the positions of the
orange and green pairs, resulting in this order: white-orange, orange, white-green, blue,
white-blue, green, white-brown, brown. Both schemes are functionally equivalent as long as
the same scheme is used at both ends of the cable.