Twisted pair cables

Originally, telephone and early data cables included two copper wires, one for
transmitting data and one for receiving data. The two wires laid parallel to one
another. This configuration was affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI),
radio frequency interference (RFI), and crosstalk between the two copper wires. One
of the initial engineering steps to resolve these issues involved twisting the wire
pair together, which reduced some of the extra noise on the lines.
Twisted pair Ethernet cables are commonly used in LANs because:
 They offer multiple levels of protection against EMI, RFI, and crosstalk.
 The lower levels of interference protection provide low-cost options, which
are generally more accessible to home users and small businesses.
 The cables are thin, light weight, and malleable enough to install and move
easily.
 The transmission range of the cable is suitable for short distance connections
inside of buildings and homes.
 The cable’s frequency range is able to transmit both data and
telephone/voice communications.
UTP, STP, and FTP Ethernet cables
Twisted pair Ethernet cable uses four pairs of color-coded copper wires. Each
colored pair, one solid and one striped, are twisted together. There are multiple
types of twisted pair Ethernet cables available on the market. These types fall into
three main categories:
 Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) - The most common and least expensive
type of Ethernet cable found in business and home networks. UTP cables
offer very basic protection against EMI, RFI, and crosstalk interference.
 Shielded twisted pair (STP) - Used in environments where
electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), and
crosstalk with nearby cables have been identified as a problem for network
communications. An STP cable uses a braided aluminum and/or copper
shielding to encase the four twisted pairs underneath the outer jacket.
 Foiled twisted pair (FTP) - Also used in environments where EMI, RFI, and
crosstalk are a problem. An FTP cable uses a thin foil shield that wraps
around the bundle of twisted pair wires underneath the outer jacket.
The STP and FTP labels are often used interchangeably to reference shielded and/or
foiled cables. STP and FTP braided and foiled shields can also exist together in the
same cable for extra protection against interference. It is important to check the
manufacturer’s description of the Ethernet cable to determine which interference-
reducing method was used in the manufacturing of the cable. UTP, STP, and FTP
Ethernet cables can also be manufactured to have braided and/or foil shields
around each of the four twisted pairs. This configuration further reduces crosstalk
amongst the twisted pairs, but is the most expensive of the Ethernet cable options.
A shielded with foiled twisted pair (SF/FTP) would most likely be used in an industrial
environment where EMI and/or RFI is much higher than normal.
Straight-through cable
Straight-through cables are also known as patch cables. They are the primary type
of Ethernet cable used in computer networks. Straight-through cables normally
connect computers and routers to hubs and Ethernet switches. Ethernet cable can
also connect servers to Ethernet switches.
Straight-through cables can be identified by comparing both ends of the cable with
one another. The cable is a straight-through cable if the color and stripe order of the
twisted pairs are in the same position on both ends of the cable. In a typical
straight-through cable set-up, an orange-striped wire that appears in pin position 1
should also appear at that same position on the other end. This one-to-one pattern
is continued for each color in pin positions 2-8. Ethernet cables that use 100Base-T
standards (common for home networks) do not use blue and brown cables.
Networks using gigabit Ethernet have the option to use blue and brown cables for
Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Straight-through cable key:
 Computers and routers use:
o Pins 1 & 2 - Orange wires for sending data

o Pins 3 & 6 - Green wires for receiving data

 Hubs and switches use:

o Pins 1 & 2 - Green wires for sending data

o Pins 3 & 6 - Orange wires for receiving data

Supplemental Reading for Twisted Pair Ethernet: Crossover Cables

Twisted pair Ethernet: Crossover cable
Crossover cables
Crossover cables may still be in use in older network environments. This section
provides information for working with crossover Ethernet cable for older Enterprise
network devices. Note that most new Enterprise devices have the ability to detect
Ethernet connection types and select the correct wires for sending and receiving
data using Auto Medium Dependent Interface Crossover (Auto-MDI/MDIX)
technology. The Auto-MDI/MDIX ports replace the crossover cable’s function for
connecting two devices that use the same sending and receiving wires for data
communications.
Crossover cables are used to connect two computing devices directly to one
another. As an IT Support specialist, you might use a short crossover cable to
connect an IT administrator laptop directly to an Enterprise machine (e.g., server,
switch, router, hub, etc.). This type of connection is normally used to update, repair,
and perform other administrative tasks on the Enterprise machine. A crossover
cable should be connected between the Ethernet port/Network Interface Card (NIC)
on the IT administrative system and the management port of the Enterprise
machine. This connection is then used to access the operating system and/or the
management interface of the Enterprise machine. Additionally, crossover cables can
connect two switches, two hubs, or a switch to a hub, as well as two routers, two
PCs, or a router to a PC.
Like straight-through cables, crossover cables can also be identified by comparing
both ends of the cable to one another. Crossover cable ends will have different
patterns in the color order of the twisted pairs. The crossover cable key below
describes a typical setup for a T-568-A. If the green wires appear in pin positions 1
and 2 on one side of the cable, on the opposite end of the cable, the green wires
will appear in the pin positions 3 and 6. The orange wires will appear in positions 3
and 6 at one end of the cable, crossing over to the 1 and 2 positions at the opposite
end.
For the T-568-B scheme, if you see orange wires start at pin positions 3 and 6, they
should cross over to pin positions 1 and 2 at the opposite end of the cable. Green
wires should start at pin positions 1 and 2, crossing over to 3 and 6 at the opposite
end. This wiring crossover is needed to connect two computers that transmit and
receive data on the same wires. Blue and brown wires do not cross over to different
positions in this set-up.
Straight-through cables use the T568B wiring scheme, while crossover cables use
both schemes.
Crossover cable key:
 Endpoint 1 of the Ethernet cable:
o Pins 1 & 2 - Green wires for sending data

o Pins 3 & 6 - Orange wires for receiving data

 Endpoint 2 of the Ethernet cable:

o Pins 1 & 2 - Orange wires for sending data

o Pins 3 & 6 - Green wires for receiving data

Cabling Tools
As we have covered, ports and patch panels are part of the Physical Layer. Cabling
tools are an expansion of the Physical Layer. In this reading, you will learn more
about cabling tools, what they look like, and what they are used for.

Crimper
A crimper is a hand-held tool that looks like a set of pliers. It is used to squeeze
down or crimp wires.

Cable Stripper
A cable stripper is another handheld device that also looks like pliers. It's purpose is
to remove the protective rubber coating from cables.
Wi-Fi Analyzer
A WiFi analyzer is a scanner that analyzes the power and quality of the WiFi in an
area. It also collects data about the WiFi and its circumstances.

Toner Probe
A toner probe is a part of a set of devices that are used for finding ethernet and
other internet connectors. One device plugs into a cable, while the other device, the
tone probe, uses a tone which gets louder as it gets closer to the device plugged
into the cable. (Meyers, 2022).
Punch Down Tool
A Punch Down Tool or Krone Tool is used for punching down wires into punch down
panels or jacks. First the protective covering is taken off the wires, then the wires
are punched into place.

Cable Tester
A cable tester digitally measures integrity of the cable for compliance with
developed cabling standards. They measure several parameters:
 Attenuation
 Impedance
 Noise
  Near-End Crosstalk
 Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio (ACR)
 PowerSum NEXT (Network Encyclopedia, 2022).

Loopback Plug
A loopback plug is a device that tests ports. Wires are connected in a loop that
sends traffic back to the port after it receives it.

Network Tap
A network tap is a device that copies traffic information for use in monitoring
devices. It is an external device.
 Meyers, M. (2022). Using a toner and probe. [Video].
 Network Encyclopedia. (2022). What is a cable tester?
  Gig|Mocha.com.(2022). What is a network loopback plug.
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