Are your Teams meetings constantly freezing, or does downloading files take forever? Then it might be time to upgrade your network! A new UTP cable can make your connection more stable and faster. Read all about UTP cables and which one to choose here.
What is a UTP cable?
UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair. A UTP cable is a network cable consisting of multiple twisted wires without additional shielding around the wires. This cable is used to transmit data within networks, such as internet connections and connections between devices such as computers, printers, and routers. Other commonly used terms for this type of cable are internet cable, network cable, Ethernet cable, or twisted pair cable.
Is a UTP cable the same as Ethernet?
Yes and no. An Ethernet cable can be a UTP cable, but not every Ethernet cable is necessarily a UTP cable. How does that work? Ethernet is the type of network these cables are used for. There are also other types of Ethernet cables, such as FTP (Foiled Twisted Pair) and STP (Shielded Twisted Pair). UTP cables are the most popular option to use. So when people talk about an Ethernet cable, they are usually referring to a UTP cable.
Which UTP cable do I need?
Choosing the right UTP cable depends on the speed and range you need. The most common options are Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7, each with their own maximum speed (expressed in Mbps, Megabits per second) and frequency range (expressed in MHz, MegaHertz).
Cat5e – suitable for speeds up to 1,000 Mbit/s and frequencies up to 100 MHz. Great for home networks with standard internet use.
Cat6 – suitable for speeds up to 1,000 Mbit/s over short distances and frequencies up to 250 MHz. Can be used for more data traffic and business use.
Cat6a – has a higher frequency range of 500 MHz and is suitable for speeds up to 10,000 Mbit/s over longer distances.
Cat7 – has an even higher frequency range up to 600 MHz and is suitable for speeds up to 10,000 Mbit/s. Perfect for heavy-duty networks with many devices and high data traffic.
We offer the CAT6 Path cord U/UTP and various CAT6 installation cables, perfect for super-fast internet for standard internet use. This cable is available in various lengths, from 0.5 to 5 meters.
Read more about the difference between U/UTP, U/FTP, and LSZH cables.
Which color UTP cable should I use?
Should you choose a red, black, purple, or orange network cable? In principle, it doesn’t matter. The color of a UTP cable has no technical significance. The different cable colors provide more clarity. Use the different colors for different network segments, such as blue for internet and green for telephony. This way, you can easily distinguish between the different cables.
How long can a UTP cable be without signal loss?
The shorter the cable, the better the connection. There are even cables up to 100 meters long. But don’t worry, good quality cables still provide a good connection. Do you want to extend the UTP cable? Then you need an Ethernet amplifier.
Choosing the right network cable
Do you still have questions after reading this article? Or are you unsure which cable is suitable for your situation? We are happy to provide professional advice. Please contact us using the contact form on our website.