© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 1 Differentiate among various types of network cables and connectors. Objective Course Weight 2%

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 2 Twisted Pair: Interior  Most commonly used for network and telephone wiring.  Named after the four twisted pairs inside.  Twisted at different frequencies to reduce signal interference.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 3 Twisted Pair: Interior  Unshielded – wires twisted inside the sheath, no extra protection.  Shielded – wires wrapped in metal coating to reduce interference from EMI and RFI.  Individual pairs can be wrapped or the inside of the sheath can be wrapped.  The more shielding, the more expensive the wire.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 4 Twisted Pair: Interior

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 5 Twisted Pair: Exterior Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) sheathing:  Used extensively because of its low cost and good overall properties.  High physical strength  Good moisture resistance  Adequate oil resistance  Good flame resistance  Excellent resistance to weathering and to soil environments  Most commonly used sheath material for low voltage (LV) cables.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 6 Twisted Pair: Exterior  Problems with PVC cabling:  Contains halogens which produces thick, black toxic smoke when burnt.  This is especially dangerous in plenum space.  Plenum Space  An air-filled space in a structure; especially one that receives air from a blower for distribution (as in a ventilation system).  Solution: Plenum rated cable  Different sheath material = safe for use in plenum space but higher cost.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 7 Twisted Pair: Connecting  Registered Jack  RJ-45  8 pin connector  Common for data  Wiring standard  RJ-11  4 pin connector  Telephone

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 8 Twisted Pair: Category The category system is a method of rating cable for its maximum data rate.  All category cable is made of copper so the max length is ~100m due to attenuation.  With any cabling, the higher the transfer frequencies the more likely the signal will attenuate sooner.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 9 Coaxial: Interior and Exterior  Coaxial cable technology dates back to the 1800’s.  Durable  Less susceptible to interference

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 10 Coaxial: Connecting In computer networks, coaxial is connected by:  F-type connector  Screw type  Cable TV internet  Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector  Rotate and click type  Once used for LAN connectivity

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 11 Coaxial: Rating  Coaxial cables come in a wide variety (~40 types).  Common references use RG labelling.  RG = Radio Guide  Comes from World War II terminology.  No longer officially recognized labelling.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 12 Coaxial: Rating Most common RG types:  RG-59  Single shielded  Inexpensive  RG-6  Double shielded  Good for long distance Other associated terminology  10Base2 (thinnet) – 185m – 10Mbps  10Base5 (thicknet) – 500m – 10Mbps

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 13 Fiber Optic: Interior/Exterior  Carries light instead of electricity.  Glass core  Light travels much faster than electricity.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 14 Fiber Optic: Interior/Exterior  Jacket is outermost protection (can contain reinforcing materials).  Buffer keeps out moisture and other harmful substances.  Core and Cladding made of super pure glass.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 15 Fiber Optic: Connecting Common types include:  ST  Usually found in multimode application  Circular, bayonet connector  2.5mm core

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 16 Fiber Optic: Connecting  SC  Multi or Single-mode  Snap-in type  Square shape  2.5mm core  LC (most common)  Multi or Single-mode  Small Form Factor (SFF)  Snap-in type  Square shape  1.25mm core

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 17 Fiber Optic: Rating  Single-mode  Made for long distance  More expensive  Multi-mode  Made for LAN application  Multiple signals traveling through the same core Note the core/cladding ratio differences.

© ExplorNet’s Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning 18 Fiber Optic: Rating *Research lab, South Hampton, UK, specialty fiber