When choosing an Ethernet cable for your network cabling system, it is essential to select the right cable type from various options. One of the critical factors to consider is the level of shielding, such as UTP, STP, FTP, SFTP, etc. Today, we will look at the differences and how to choose between these cables.
What is UTP Cable?
UTP, which stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair, is the most common and basic type of twisted pair cable. It consists of pairs of wires twisted together to reduce and prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI). Since UTP cables do not have shielding, they offer several benefits, such as lower cost, easy installation, and easy maintenance. As a result, UTP cables are a popular choice for small to medium-sized networks.
What is STP Cable?
STP, which stands for Shielded Twisted Pair, differs from UTP cables in that STP cables are covered with a protective material or shielding. This shielding can be made of foil wrapping or a braided copper sheath to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk between the pairs of wires.
Unlike UTP cables, STP cables require grounding. Shielded twisted pair cables (STP) require more maintenance than unshielded twisted pair cables (UTP), making them more expensive.
The metal shielding in STP cables enhances protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI). More importantly, they perform better in environments with high levels of crosstalk. As a result, STP cables are widely used in high-bandwidth networks, such as radio stations and airports.
However, despite these advantages, STP cables also have disadvantages, such as more complex installation and maintenance, and higher costs.
What is FTP Cable?
FTP, which stands for Foil Twisted Pairs, is a type of cable where each pair of wires is surrounded by foil tape to protect against EMI and interference. Sometimes, FTP cables are also referred to as F/UTP.
Compared to UTP cables, FTP cables offer higher bandwidth and better resistance to interference, but they are more expensive and slightly less flexible.
What is S/FTP Cable?
S/FTP refers to a shielded twisted pair cable with double insulation, featuring an additional mesh shield over the STP cable. This mesh is often made from aluminum-magnesium wire. However, these cables can also use tinned copper or pure copper. This design makes S/FTP cables highly resistant to interference and ideal for high-security professional cabling projects.
How Do UTP, STP, FTP, and S/FTP Cables Differ?
Now that we know the meaning of each type of Ethernet cable, let’s compare UTP, STP, FTP, and S/FTP cables in detail. The table below shows the differences between these cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions regarding UTP, STP, FTP, and S/FTP cables:
Q: Is STP better than UTP?
A: In terms of performance alone, STP is better because it has an additional mesh shield that protects the cable from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and eliminates crosstalk. The special shielding also allows STP to deliver higher data rates compared to UTP. Therefore, STP is commonly used in networks that are sensitive to crosstalk, such as networks where data transmission could be heavily affected.
However, the extra shielding in STP increases both the cost and installation complexity. On the other hand, UTP offers better cost-efficiency and is easier to install and maintain due to the lack of shielding. UTP is therefore a better choice for home and general business networks.
Q: How should I ground an STP cable?
A: The ground connection should be made at one end of the STP cable (network device side). It’s important to ground only at one end, not both. If you are terminating the cable with a patch panel, the best practice is to ground the panel itself using a specific grounding panel designed for this purpose.
Q: What are common problems with UTP cables?
A: A common issue with UTP cables is crosstalk. Crosstalk is more frequently seen in older UTP cables (e.g., Category 3 or 5) than in newer ones, such as Cat5e or Cat6.
Q: Do all UTP cables support PoE?
A: No, it depends on the cable type. Only Cat5 or higher-grade cables typically support Power over Ethernet (PoE).
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If you’re interested in UTP, STP, FTP, or if you need to rent network testing equipment or require installation services, feel free to inquire for more information at Metro Technology Co., Ltd. or click here to contact us.