4.2 Categorize network cables and connectors and their implementations
Cables
Plenum / PVC
The plenum is the open space found above a building's ceiling or beneath the floor and is often used to house the ductwork in heating and air-conditioning systems. This space may also be used for routing telephone and network communication cables from one location to another.
Plenum cable can be any one of the standard cables, but is designed with a special flame-retardant jacket, often either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP) to help supress fire hazards.
UTP (e.g. CAT3, CAT5 / 5e, CAT6)
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is a regular copper wire used in many home and business telephone and LAN applications. UTP is the most common form of twisted pair wiring, because it is less expensive and easier to work with than STP (Shielded Twisted Pair). It is used in Ethernet 10Base-T and 100Base-T networks.
Category
Maximum Data Rate Transfer
Category 3
10 Mbps
Category 5
100 Mbps
Category 5e
Rated for 100 Mbps and gigabit networks
Category 6
Rated for 100 Mbps and gigabit networks
STP
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cabling is commonly used in areas where EMI (Electro-magnetic Interference) may present an issue
Fiber
Fiber optic cabling uses light to transmit data signals
Fiber cabling can transmit signals farther than copper
Supports 1000 Mbps and 10 Gbps transmission speeds
Not affected by EMI
Connectors include ST, SC, LC, and MTP types
Coaxial cable
Composed of a copper core inside a dielectric insulator, wrapped by a woven metallic shield and surrounded by an outer plastic sheath
Commonly uses BNC connectors