Ethernet Cables, UTP vs STP, Straight vs Crossover, CAT 5,5e,6,7,8 Network Cables

Summary

This video script explains Ethernet twisted pair cables, essential for local area networks. It distinguishes between unshielded and shielded types, with unshielded being common for home and business use due to its resistance to electromagnetic interference. The script details the process of creating custom cables, including wiring standards 568A and 568B, which dictate the color-coded order of wires. It also covers the use of straight and crossover cables for connecting dissimilar and similar devices, respectively. Finally, it discusses cable categories, from CAT 3 to CAT 8, highlighting their speed capabilities and applications.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Ethernet twisted pair cables are used for connecting devices in local area networks for internet access.
• 🔌 There are two types of twisted pair cables: unshielded (common in homes and businesses) and shielded (used mainly in industrial settings).
• 🧵 Unshielded twisted pair cables consist of four pairs of color-coded wires twisted to reduce electromagnetic interference.
• 🛡 Shielded twisted pair cables have an additional foil shield for extra protection against interference.
• 🔩 Custom network cables can be made by wiring a bulk roll of twisted pair cable and attaching RJ45 connectors.
• 🔍 A cable stripper is used to remove the protective sheathing to expose the wires for connector attachment.
• 🔄 The order of wires in a cable can differ based on the cable's purpose, with two main wiring standards: 568A and 568B.
• 🔄🔄 The 568A and 568B standards differ only in the arrangement of green and orange wires.
• 🔄🔄🔄 A straight cable, or patch cable, uses the same wiring standard at both ends and is used to connect dissimilar devices.
• 🔄🔄🔄🔄 A crossover cable uses different wiring standards at each end and is used to connect similar devices.
• 📈 Categories of twisted pair cables (CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7) indicate maximum speed and resistance to interference, with CAT 8 being the latest offering 40 gigabits per second.

Q & A

What are Ethernet twisted pair cables used for?

Ethernet twisted pair cables are used in local area networks to connect devices such as computers to routers or modems for internet access.

What are the two types of Ethernet twisted pair cables mentioned in the script?

The two types of Ethernet twisted pair cables are unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP).

Why are the wires in twisted pair cables twisted around each other?

The wires are twisted to prevent electromagnetic interference or crosstalk, which can disrupt the signal transmission.

What is the purpose of the foil shield in shielded twisted pair cables?

The foil shield in STP cables provides an extra layer of protection against electromagnetic interference, preventing it from leaking into and out of the cable.

What is the main difference between unshielded and shielded twisted pair cables?

The main difference is that shielded twisted pair cables have a foil shield for additional protection against electromagnetic interference, while unshielded twisted pair cables do not.

What are the two wiring standards for Ethernet cables, and what do they represent?

The two wiring standards are 568A and 568B. They represent the color order in which the wires are arranged within the cable.

What is the difference between a straight cable and a crossover cable?

A straight cable uses the same wiring standard at both ends and is used to connect dissimilar devices, while a crossover cable uses different standards at each end and is used to connect similar devices.

Why might one choose to use the 568A standard over the 568B standard, or vice versa?

The choice between 568A and 568B does not affect the functionality of the cable; it is a matter of preference or what is commonly used in a specific region. In the U.S., the 568B standard is more commonly used.

What are the categories of twisted pair cables, and what do they signify?

The categories are CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, and CAT 8. They signify the maximum speed the cables can handle without crosstalk or interference, with higher categories supporting faster speeds.

What is the maximum speed that CAT 7 cables can support?

CAT 7 cables can support speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.

What is the main advantage of CAT 8 cables over previous categories?

CAT 8 cables, being shielded twisted pair, offer a delivery speed of 40 gigabits per second up to 30 meters, which is four times faster than CAT 6a or CAT 7.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Ethernet Twisted Pair Cables Overview

This paragraph introduces Ethernet twisted pair cables, which are the primary type of network cables used in local area networks (LANs) for connecting devices like computers to routers or modems. It distinguishes between two types of twisted pair cables: unshielded twisted pair (UTP), which is the most common and used in homes and businesses, and shielded twisted pair (STP), which offers extra protection against electromagnetic interference and is typically used in industrial settings. The paragraph also touches on the process of making custom network cables, including stripping the cable sheathing, arranging the wires in a specific order according to the 568A or 568B standard, and crimping RJ45 connectors to the ends. It explains the difference between straight cables (or patch cables), which use the same wiring standard at both ends and are used to connect dissimilar devices, and crossover cables, which use different standards at each end and are used to connect similar devices.

05:06

🔌 Categories of Twisted Pair Cables

The second paragraph delves into the categories of twisted pair cables, namely CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, and the latest CAT 8. Each category is defined by its maximum speed capability and the tightness of the wire twists, which affects crosstalk and interference. CAT 3 offers the lowest speed at 10 megabits per second, while CAT 6a and CAT 7 can handle speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. CAT 7 is a shielded version of CAT 6a and is backward compatible with older networks. CAT 8 is the most advanced copper cable, providing speeds of 40 gigabits per second over distances up to 30 meters. The paragraph emphasizes that most modern networks would use at least CAT5e due to the prevalence of gigabit speeds, and that despite the advancement in categories, higher categories like CAT 7 and CAT 8 are still compatible with slower networks.

Keywords

💡Ethernet network cables

Ethernet network cables are the physical links used to connect devices within a local area network (LAN), allowing for the transmission of data. In the video, they are the focus as they are essential for internet access, connecting computers to routers or modems. The script discusses the two main types of these cables, unshielded and shielded twisted pair, highlighting their applications and differences.

💡Twisted pair cables

Twisted pair cables refer to a type of wiring in which pairs of conductors are twisted together. This twisting helps to reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, which are critical for maintaining signal integrity in a network. The script explains that there are two types of twisted pair cables: unshielded and shielded, each with different applications and levels of interference protection.

💡Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is a category of cable that lacks a protective outer covering, making it more common and cost-effective for everyday use. The video describes UTP as the most common type of Ethernet cable used in homes and businesses due to its simplicity and effectiveness in preventing interference through the twisting of the wires.

💡Shielded twisted pair (STP)

Shielded twisted pair (STP) cables are similar to UTP but include an additional layer of shielding, typically a foil, that covers the wires. This extra layer provides greater protection against electromagnetic interference. The script mentions that STP is mainly used in industrial settings where such interference might be more prevalent, as opposed to home or business environments.

💡RJ45 connectors

RJ45 connectors are the most common type of connector used with Ethernet cables. They are named after the registered jack standard and have 45 contacts. In the script, it is mentioned that these connectors are attached to each end of a twisted pair cable after the wires have been arranged in a specific order, making the cable ready for use in a network.

💡Cable stripper

A cable stripper is a tool used to remove the outer sheathing of a cable, exposing the internal wires. In the context of the video, a cable stripper is essential for the process of making custom Ethernet cables, as it allows access to the color-coded wires that need to be arranged and connected to RJ45 connectors.

💡Wire crimper

A wire crimper is a tool used to secure a connector onto the end of a wire by compressing the connector's metal contacts around the wire. The script describes the use of a wire crimper in the process of attaching RJ45 connectors to Ethernet cables after the wires have been stripped and arranged properly.

💡568A and 568B wiring standards

The 568A and 568B wiring standards are two different ways of arranging the wires within an Ethernet cable. Both standards are designed to reduce crosstalk, but they differ in the order of the green and orange wires. The video script explains that while either standard can be used, the 568B standard is more commonly used in the U.S. and is essential for creating straight-through (patch) cables.

💡Straight-through cable

A straight-through cable, also known as a patch cable, is an Ethernet cable that has both ends wired using the same standard (either 568A or 568B). This type of cable is used to connect different types of devices within a network, such as a computer to a router or switch. The script emphasizes that straight-through cables are the most common cables used in local area networks.

💡Crossover cable

A crossover cable is a type of Ethernet cable where one end is wired using the 568A standard and the other end using the 568B standard. This configuration allows the cable to connect two similar devices directly, such as two computers or two switches, without the need for a hub or switch in between. The video script explains the purpose and use of crossover cables in specific networking scenarios.

💡Categories of twisted pair cables

The categories of twisted pair cables, such as CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8, refer to different performance levels and maximum speeds that the cables can support. Each category has a specific tightness of wire twists and is capable of handling different data rates without interference. The script outlines the progression from CAT 3 to CAT 8, with CAT 8 being the highest performing copper cable capable of 40 gigabits per second.

Highlights

Ethernet twisted pair cables are used for connecting computers to routers or modems for internet access.

There are two types of Ethernet twisted pair cables: unshielded and shielded twisted pair.

Unshielded twisted pair is the most common type, consisting of four pairs of color-coded wires twisted to prevent interference.

Shielded twisted pair has an additional foil shield for extra protection against electromagnetic interference, mainly used in industrial settings.

Custom network cables can be made by wiring bulk twisted pair cable with RJ45 connectors.

A cable stripper is used to remove the protective sheathing and expose the wires for wiring.

Wires in a cable must be arranged in a specific order according to the purpose of the cable.

There are two wiring standards for twisted pair cables: 568A and 568B, differing in the arrangement of green and orange wires.

A straight cable, also known as a patch cable, uses the same wiring standard at both ends and is the most common type in local area networks.

A crossover cable is made with different wiring standards at each end and is used to connect similar devices.

Categories of twisted pair cables include CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, and the latest CAT 8, each with different maximum speeds and twist tightness.

CAT 3 operates at 10 megabits per second, while CAT 6a and CAT 7 offer speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second.

Most modern networks use at least CAT5e due to the prevalence of gigabit speeds.

CAT 7 is a shielded version of CAT 6a and is backward compatible with older networks.

CAT 8 is the latest copper cable, offering speeds of 40 gigabits per second over distances of 30 meters.

Transcripts

Hello everyone, in this video we're going  to talk about Ethernet network cables that  

are used in local area networks and I'm  referring to twisted pair cables. These  

are the Ethernet cables that you'll find as you  connect your computer to your router or modem,  

so you can have internet access. One end of  the cable plugs into your computer's network  

interface card and the other end plugs into the  network port of your router, switch, or modem,  

depending upon what you're using. Now Ethernet  twisted pair cables come in two different types.  

The first type is unshielded twisted pair, which  is by far the most common type of cable that is  

used today. Unshielded twisted pair consists of  four pairs of color-coded wires twisted around  

each other. The wires are twisted to prevent  electromagnetic interference or crosstalk.  

This type of network cable is what most people  use in their home or business. And the second  

type is shielded twisted pair. Shielded twisted  pair is very similar to unshielded twisted pair,  

except that it has a foil shield that covers the  wires. And this shielding adds an extra layer of  

protection against electromagnetic interference  leaking into and out of the cable. This type of  

cable is mainly used for industrial purposes and  not so much in a home or business. So if you were  

the kind of person that is going to make their own  custom cables for your network, typically you would  

buy a bulk roll of twisted pair cable and then  you would have to wire them correctly and then  

attach RJ45 connectors to each end. So to do this  you would have to remove the protective sheathing  

at each end of a network cable to expose the wires.  And this is done by using a cable stripper. The  

cable is inserted into the cable stripper and  then the outer sheathing is removed to expose  

the wires. And then you would insert the cable  into a wire crimper to attach an RJ45 connector.  

But before you touch the connector, the wires  in the cable have to be arranged in a certain  

order. And that order will be different depending  upon the purpose of the cable. So for example the  

most common types of twisted pair cables that  are used in a local area network, are straight  

and crossover cables. And these two cables have  two different purposes. So let's talk about the  

wiring order that these twisted pair cables use.  And there are two different wiring standards that  

are used. One standard is called 568A and the other  standard is 568B. And on the screen you can see the  

wiring order for both the A and B standards. The orders are based on the color of the wires. So 

for example the 568A standard is wired in this  order: white green, green, white orange, blue, white  

blue, orange, white brown, and brown. And the 568B  standard is wired in the following order: white  

orange, orange, white green, blue, white blue, green,  white brown, and brown. So the only difference  

between the A and B standards is the green wires  are swapped with the orange. And it doesn't really  

matter which standard you use. Both standards do  the same thing, but here in the U.S. most people  

use the B standard. So whether you choose the A  or B wiring standard, if both ends of the cable  

are wired using the same standard then this is  known as a straight cable, which is also known  

as a patch cable. A straight cable allows signals  to pass through from end to end. This is the most  

common type of cable that's used in local area  networks. A straight cable is used to connect  

computers to hubs, switches, routers, or modems, or  in other words, it's used to connect dissimilar  

devices together. So as I said before this is by  far the most common cable that's used on local  

area networks. So these two straight cables here do  the exact same thing. The only difference is that  

one cable is wired using the A standard and the  other one is wired using the B standard. So let's  

talk about a crossover cable. Now a crossover cable  is also used on local area networks but it's not  

as common as a straight cable. A crossover cable  is created when both ends of the cable are wired  

using the two different standards. For example, one  end is wired using the A standard and the other  

end is wired using the B standard. Crossover cables  are used to connect two similar devices together. 

For example, crossover cables are used to connect  two computers directly to each other without  

using a hub or switch and they can be also used to  connect hubs to hubs, or switches to switches. So 

they are used to connect two of the same devices  together. Now in addition to talking about the  

different types of twisted pair cables, we also  have to talk about the categories of twisted pair  

cables. And these categories are called CAT 3, CAT 5,  CAT 6, and CAT 7. And the difference between these  

is a maximum speed that they can handle without  having any crosstalk or interference. The numbers  

of these categories represent the tightness of  the twists that are applied to the wires. And as 

you can see on the illustration of the categories  and speeds of the different twisted pair cables  

So as you can see, the speed ranges from the lowest  category which is CAT 3 at 10 megabits per second  

and all the way up to CAT 6a and CAT 7 which has  speeds of 10 gigabits per second. Now most networks  

today would use at least CAT5e on their networks.  Because most networks would be running at least  

at gigabit speeds. So CAT 3 and CAT 5 are slower  than gigabit and are pretty much obsolete today. 

But of course if you're running a network that  can handle 10 gigabit speeds, you would have to  

use CAT 6a or CAT 7 on your network. But even if  you have an older network that's running slower  

speeds, you can still use CAT 7 because it is  backward compatible. CAT 7 is actually a shielded  

twisted pair version of CAT 6a. And finally  the latest version is CAT 8. Now CAT 8 is the  

ultimate copper cable. It's a shielded twisted pair  cable which has a delivery speed of 40 gigabits  

per second up to a distance of 30 meters,  which is 4 times faster than CAT 6a or CAT 7.