What is Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)?

Unshielded Twisted Pair, also known as UTP, is a communication cable composed of two or more copper wires twisted into pairs. This type of cable is characterized by the absence of shielding or any other form of protection against electromagnetic interference. Unshielded Twisted Pair cables are primarily used in Local Area Networks (LANs) for connecting devices such as computers, printers, and routers.

Difference between Shielded and Unshielded Twisted Pair

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) differs from unshielded primarily by having a shield to protect the cables from electromagnetic interference. This shield can be made of aluminum foil or a copper mesh. Shielded Twisted Pair cables are often used in industrial, medical, and military applications where greater resistance to electromagnetic interference is required.

Throughput and Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair

Unshielded Twisted Pair cables are available in various categories, defining their technical parameters such as throughput and signal transmission distance. The most common categories of unshielded twisted pair cables include:

1. Category 5e (Cat5e) - throughput up to 1 Gbps at distances up to 100 meters
2. Category 6 (Cat6) - throughput up to 10 Gbps at distances up to 55 meters
3. Category 6a (Cat6a) - throughput up to 10 Gbps at distances up to 100 meters
4. Category 8 (Cat8) - the latest category allowing data transmission speeds up to 40 Gbps at distances up to 30 meters. Cat8 cables are mainly used in data centers and high-performance networks.

Applications of Unshielded Twisted Pair

Unshielded Twisted Pair cables are most commonly used in Local Area Networks (LANs) where a cost-effective and efficient method of connecting network devices is needed. They can be used in connections between computers, routers, switches, printers, and other devices