Types of Internet Cables
An internet cable is a physical link that connects your router, modem and other network-capable devices to the internet. Its primary function is to carry broadband signals from your modem to both router and computer.
Ethernet cables can make a significant difference in speed, especially for those who use their computers to access the internet. But which one is right for you?
Ethernet
Ethernet cables are type of internet cables used for connecting devices within your local area network (LAN). This could include modems, routers and computers.
Ethernet technology was first created in 1973 by a team at Palo Alto Research Center (Xerox PARC) in California. Its key benefit is that it enables devices to share data rapidly without being susceptible to interruptions and crashes.
Ethernet is the ubiquitous network technology, although wireless alternatives like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have become increasingly popular. Ethernet remains ideal when communicating with multiple devices or accessing a large group of computers.
Ethernet cables come in a range of categories or “Cat” ratings to meet different requirements.
Coaxial
Coaxial cable is widely used for transmitting data, internet, video and voice communications. Its shielded construction guarantees that signals remain contained within the cable while electrical noise is prevented from interfering with them.
Coaxial cables can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second. This speed is possible due to their large bandwidth.
Coaxial cables typically consist of a center conductor, an insulating dielectric material and shielding layer. To shield against external interference signals, these outer metal shields are grounded in connectors at both ends to minimize noise transmission.
The center conductor can be made of solid copper or braided copper. The insulating dielectric is usually Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), though other materials can also be used. Shielding is typically aluminum or copper as well. Triaxial and twinaxial cables feature two center conductors with one dielectric; these types of cables tend to be more efficient at transmitting low-frequency digital and video signals than their single center conductor counterparts.
Fiber-optic
Fiber-optic cable is used for transmitting internet signals over long distances, as it’s faster, less likely to experience data loss, and less vulnerable to electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by solar storms or other external influences.
Fiber optics uses light pulses to transport data from a central core and cladding to an optical network terminal (ONT). An ONT converts laser light signal into electrical signal.
The signal then travels through a twisted pair of wires and jack, connecting to your router or modem. A fiber connection offers the fastest, most dependable internet connection available today.
Fiber optics come in two basic varieties: single-mode and multimode. Multimode fiber has a wider core opening that enables multiple beams of light to pass through it simultaneously, making it suitable for various applications such as interconnecting computer networks.
Twisted Pair
Twisted pair cable (TPC) is an internet cable composed of two separate insulated wires twisted together to form a circuit. TPS cables are commonly used in data and voice infrastructures to help prevent signal interference.
Twisted-pair cables use cancellation techniques to reduce noise and electromagnetic interference (EMI) during transmissions. This involves twisting the wires so their magnetic fields cancel each other out, as well as any external magnetic fields.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cables are the two primary types of these cables. UTP reduces crosstalk within the cable by coupling pairs together, while STP prevents electromagnetically induced currents from outside the cable.
Twisted-pair cables are categorised according to ANSI/IAE standards in terms of their maximum bandwidth capability, known as Cat. 1.
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