Before using fiber optic as a medium for transmitting information, copper was the most common medium, and it is still very common to find copper in computer networks. That's why today on the blog we will talk about UTP cable.
UTP cable, also known as unshielded twisted pair, allows voice or data signals to be transmitted. Since it has no shielding, it is prone to electromagnetic interference but is easy to install and economical compared to fiber optic. Currently, there are different types of cable known as categories and abbreviated as "CAT". In Figure 1, we can see the construction of a UTP cable.
Figure 1. UTP Cable
As we can see in Figure 1, we have 8 wires twisted in pairs, each pair has a characteristic color: orange, green, brown, and blue. Wires with a solid colored sheath are positive, and those with a striped sheath are negative. These wires connect to a connector known as RJ45, and there are two ways to connect: direct and crossover. To make the connection, we use crimping tools, and in Figure 2, we show the connection methods, and in Figure 3, we can see the necessary tools for the connection.
Figure 2. UTP Cable Connections
In the following table, we show you the main differences between UTP cable categories.
