Networking - Coaxial Cable

1. Twisted Pair Cable

(Already explained earlier, but here’s a short summary)

A twisted pair cable consists of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other. The twisting helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk between adjacent pairs.

Types of Twisted Pair Cable

• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) → Used in LANs, telephone lines, DSL.

• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) → Used in environments with high interference.

Examples

• Ethernet cables (Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7)

• Telephone cables

2. Coaxial Cable

A coaxial cable (or co-ax cable) is a type of guided transmission medium that has a single central copper conductor surrounded by multiple layers for insulation and shielding. It is designed to reduce signal loss and interference better than twisted pair cables.

Structure of Coaxial Cable

A coaxial cable has four main layers:

1. Central Conductor → Solid or stranded copper wire for transmitting signals.

2. Insulating Layer → Separates the conductor from the shield.

3. Metallic Shield → Braided wire or foil to prevent electromagnetic interference.

4. Outer Jacket → Protects the cable from physical damage.

(I can create a labeled diagram for you if you want.)

Types of Coaxial Cable

a) Baseband Coaxial Cable

• Used for digital transmission.

• Single-channel communication.

• Used in early Ethernet networks.

b) Broadband Coaxial Cable

• Used for analog transmission.

• Multiple channels supported.

• Used in cable TV and internet services.

Examples of Coaxial Cable

• RG-6 → Used for cable TV and satellite TV.

• RG-59 → Used for CCTV and video signals.

• RG-11 → Used for long-distance cable TV connections.

Comparison Between Twisted Pair and Coaxial Cable

Real-Life Examples

• Twisted Pair Cable:

  • Ethernet cables in offices and homes.

  • Telephone wires.

• Coaxial Cable:

  • Cable TV connections.

  • Internet from cable providers.

  • CCTV surveillance systems.