Which of the following is NOT true about Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables?

Explanation:

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cables

Definition: Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables are a type of twisted pair cables that are commonly used for various telecommunications and networking applications. They consist of pairs of wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources and crosstalk between adjacent pairs within the cable.

Working Principle: UTP cables work by twisting the pairs of wires together, which helps to cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources and minimize crosstalk between the pairs. The twisting of the wires causes the magnetic fields generated by the current in each wire to cancel each other out, thus reducing the overall EMI.

Advantages:

• Cost-effective: UTP cables are generally less expensive than shielded cables, making them a popular choice for many networking applications.
• Ease of installation: UTP cables are lighter and more flexible, making them easier to install and handle compared to shielded cables.
• Widely used: UTP cables are commonly used in local area networks (LANs) and other telecommunications applications.

Disadvantages:

• Susceptibility to EMI: UTP cables do not have shielding, which makes them more susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) compared to shielded cables.
• Limited distance: UTP cables are typically used for short-distance communication due to their susceptibility to EMI and signal attenuation over longer distances.

Applications: UTP cables are widely used in various applications, including local area networks (LANs), telephone systems, and other telecommunications infrastructure where cost and ease of installation are important considerations.

Correct Option Analysis:

The correct option is:

Option 1: They have a higher resistance to EMI than STP cables.

This option is incorrect because UTP cables do not have shielding, which makes them more susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) compared to Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables. STP cables have a layer of shielding that provides additional protection against EMI, making them more resistant to interference than UTP cables. Therefore, it is not true that UTP cables have a higher resistance to EMI than STP cables.

Important Information

To further understand the analysis, let’s evaluate the other options:

Option 2: They are commonly used in local area networks (LANs).

This option is true. UTP cables are indeed commonly used in local area networks (LANs) due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and adequate performance for short-distance communication needs.

Option 3: They are lighter and more flexible than STP cables.

This option is also true. UTP cables are lighter and more flexible than STP cables because they do not have the additional shielding layer present in STP cables. This makes UTP cables easier to handle and install.

Option 4: They are cost-effective for short-distance communication.

This option is true as well. UTP cables are cost-effective for short-distance communication because they are less expensive to produce and install compared to shielded cables. Their performance is sufficient for many short-distance networking applications, making them a popular choice.

Conclusion:

Understanding the characteristics of UTP and STP cables is essential for choosing the right type of cable for specific applications. UTP cables, while cost-effective and easy to install, are more susceptible to EMI compared to STP cables due to the lack of shielding. This makes them suitable for short-distance communication in environments with minimal EMI, such as local area networks (LANs). On the other hand, STP cables provide better protection against EMI and are preferable in environments with higher levels of electromagnetic interference.