Understanding Different Types of Cable and their Roles in Network Installation
When setting up a network, choosing the right type of cable is essential for ensuring a successful installation. The type of cable chosen is dependent on the network’s topology, protocol, and size. Some networks use only one type of cable, while others use various types. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of cables manufactured by Superior Essex, one of the leading manufacturers of copper and fiber cables used for voice and data communications inside and between buildings.
Balanced Twisted Pair Copper Cable Media
Balanced twisted pair cable is a wiring system where two conductors are twisted together to cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk from neighboring conductors. This type of cable is typically selected based on performance categories specified in TIA/EIA-568.
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP)
UTP cables are flexible, durable, and lower in cost. However, they are not shielded, which reduces their protection against EMI. UTP cables are the most common cables used in computer networking and are often called Ethernet cables after Ethernet, the most common data networking standard that utilizes UTP cables.
Isolation Wrap Twisted-Pair (XP)
XP cables are a design innovation from Superior Essex that utilize a nonconductive isolation wrap containing discontinuous sections of metallized material. This innovation offers the EMI resistance of a shielded cable while being fully compliant with UL 444 requirements for an unshielded twisted pair product.
Shielded Twisted-Pair
Shielded Twisted-Pair copper cable features a metallic shield to prevent electrostatic or electromagnetic coupling. This shielding effect significantly reduces the instances of interference-related network problems. There are two types of four-pair shielded twisted-pair cables: Four-Pair Screened Twisted-Pair (ScTP) and Four-Pair Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP).
Four-Pair Screened Twisted-Pair (ScTP) cabling features an outer metal shield that covers all the copper pairs to protect against external electromagnetic interference (EMI), including Alien Crosstalk. However, this shielding adds to the cost and size of the cable, and requires bonding and grounding.
Four-Pair Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cabling has metal shielding over each individual pair of copper wires, offering better performance against Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) and external EMI than ScTP. However, multiple shields also increase the cost and size of the cable, and bonding and grounding are still necessary.
Patch Cords
Patch cords may be shielded or unshielded and often feature stranded conductors for added flexibility. They are most commonly 4-pair twisted-pair cables using “RJ-45” connectors with TIA/EIA-568 wiring.
When installing a network, horizontal cable lengths must take into consideration the maximum length of work area cables, patch cords, and equipment cables to be utilized. UTP patch cords can be as short as 8 cm (3 in) to connect stacked components or route signals through a patch bay, or as long as 6 m (20 ft) or more for snake cables.
Choosing the right type of cable is critical for the success of any media network installation. Understanding the characteristics of different types of cables and how they relate to the network’s topology, protocol, and size is necessary for a successful installation. Superior Essex manufactures virtually every type of copper and fiber cable used for voice and data communications inside and between buildings. Their primary media types include balanced twisted-pair copper cable, optical fiber cable, and patch cords. By selecting the right cable for your network, you can ensure a successful installation and a reliable network for your business.
Maximum Length of Horizontal and Work Area Cables
Understanding Optical Fiber Cable Media: Types and Applications
Optical fiber cable media is a high-speed, high-capacity transmission medium that converts information into light, which is then transmitted through fiber optic cable. This type of cable is composed of three essential elements: Core, Cladding, and Coating.
Core and Cladding
The core is the innermost part of the fiber through which light pulses are guided. The cladding surrounds the core to keep light in the center of the fiber. The core and cladding are inseparable layers of glass that make up the optical fiber.
Coating
The coating is a layer of polymer that surrounds the cladding to protect the glass. Optical fiber cable may be Single mode, Multimode or a hybrid of two or more media types.
Multimode Fiber (MMF)
Multimode fiber is generally less expensive than single mode fiber systems. It provides less bandwidth and distance capabilities than single mode fiber systems but is sufficient for premises applications. MMF is the most common type used for backbone and horizontal runs within buildings and campus environments.
Multimode fiber cables are available in various types, including 62.5/125 multimode, 50/125 multimode, and 50/125 laser-optimized multimode. Typical light sources for 62.5/125 multimode and 50/125 multimode are light emitting diodes (LED) operating at 850 nm or 1300 nm. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) operating at 850 nm is the typical light source for 50/125 laser-optimized multimode. TeraGain® is the standard for all types of multimode fiber cables.
Single Mode Fiber (SMF)
Due primarily to the small core size, SMF requires high-end lasers and precise components, which result in overall higher system costs. However, the distance and bandwidth capabilities make SMF the primary choice for long haul networks.
SMF cables are available in various types, including conventional single mode, reduced water peak (RWP) single mode, teraflex RWP, and non-zero dispersion shifted (NZDS) single mode. The typical light source for all types of SMF cables is a laser operating at 1310 nm or 1550 nm.
Optical Fiber Cable Types
Tight-buffered cable and loose tube cable are the two primary types of optical fiber cables.
Tight-Buffered Cable
Tight-buffered optical fiber cable (single mode or multimode) protects the fiber by supporting each strand of glass in a coating, increasing the diameter to 900 µm. This cable is available with various jacket types to meet building codes requirements.
Loose Tube Cable
Loose-tube optical fiber cable is used primarily outdoors. This cable allows fiber to expand and contract with changes in temperature. However, indoor/outdoor loose tube cables offer the double advantage of outdoor robustness and riser rating for easy transition from outdoors to indoors.
Conclusion
Optical fiber cable media is an essential transmission medium for high-speed, high-capacity communication systems. Multimode fiber and single mode fiber are two primary types of optical fiber cables used for different applications. Tight-buffered cable and loose tube cable are two primary types of optical fiber cables available for different environments. Understanding the different types of optical fiber cables and their applications can help make an informed decision when choosing the right cable for a specific application.