Different types of twisted-pair Ethernet cables

A variety of different cables are available for Ethernet and other telecommunications and networking applications. 

These network cables, also called LAN cables, are described by their different categories, e.g.
CAT 5e cables, CAT 6 cables, CAT 6a cables, CAT 7 cables, Cat 8 cables, etc., which are often recognized by the TIA, and they are summarised below:

Common industry nomenclature for cable construction types

U – unshielded / F – foil shielding / S – screened shielding (outer layer only) / TP – twisted pair

Global Types
S/FTP CAT8	F/UTP CAT6
S/FTP CAT7A	U/UTP CAT6
S/FTP CAT7	SF/UTP CAT6
U/UTP CAT6A	F/UTP CAT5E
U/FTP CAT6A	U/UTP CAT5E
F/FTP CAT6A	SF/UTP CAT5E
CMP (UL/ETL)
S/FTP CAT7 600Mhz CMP UL/ETL	F/UTP CAT 6 PVC CMP UL/ETL
U/UTP CAT 6A ILS PVC CMP UL/ETL	U/UTP CAT 5E PVC CMP UL/ETL
U/FTP CAT 6A PVC CMP UL/ETL	F/UTP CAT 5E PVC CMP UL/ETL
U/UTP CAT 6 PVC CMP UL/ETL
Customized Types
DUAL S/FTP CAT7A 1000Mhz LSZH FIG-8	U/UTP CAT 5E with Messenger
F/UTP CAT 6A BC Jelly Double PE	F/UTP CAT 5E with Messenger
U/UTP CAT6 PVC ARMOUR PE	F/UTP CAT 5E Double PVC-UV Global Market
U/UTP CAT6 LSZH ARMOUR LSZH	PH30 U/UTP CAT 5E -Global Market
F/UTP CAT6 LSZH ARMOUR LSZH	PH120 F/UTP CAT 5E -Global Market
SF/UTP CAT 6 PVC+PE Double Jacket

U/UTP

Unshielded Twisted Pair

Unshielded/Unshielded Twisted Pair – a completely unshielded cable, which is still often used for the Lower cable categories Cat.5 and Cat.6 This means that they are usually sufficient for the transmission methods of

Networks up to Gigabit Ethernet, even if they are not optimal. However, in some cases, it may be better to use unshielded cables.

Firstly, if there are large voltage potential differences between the endpoints of the reference potential.

and the network devices used are themselves connected to earth or ground potential via the PE contact of the

A power supply cable, a second earth connection, and an earth loop are created. It generates low-frequency compensation.

Currents via the cable shield considerably impair the signal quality.

Second, some AV or USB extender systems use Cat. X cables are more dependent on good crosstalk

Then good shielding and therefore work better with unshielded cables.

F/UTP

Foiled Unshielded Twisted Pair, A F/UTP cable, comprises a U/UTP cable core wrapped in a foil screen made of mainly aluminum laminated plastic foil. This shielding type was the most frequently used for a long time and is more than enough for Cat.5 and Cat.6 cable categories and transmission standards up to Gigabit Ethernet while significantly optimizing the signal quality compared to U/UTP cables. 

S/FTP

Screened Foiled Twisted Pair This shielding type with braided shielding around the cable core and foil shielding around the individual wire pairs is sometimes referred to as PiMF cable (Pair in Metal Foil). It represents the most substantial shielding and must be used for some cable categories (Cat.7, Cat.7A, and Cat.8.2). The wire mesh of the overall shield should have a coverage of more than 30% to achieve enough shielding against the typically low-frequency (and long-wave) interference.

Producing Reference Standards of twisted pair cables

UL444/UL1581/UL1666/IEC60332-1/IEC60332-3-24/EN50399  

Network cable production flow chart

Conductor Drawing → Insulation → Twisting → Cable Twisting → Jacket Line

1） Fluke: DSX2-8000,DSX2-5000,DTX-1800

Link LINKED testing: This is to place the complete integrated cabling system into the testing equipment for testing, in which the entire integrated cabling system means link.

Channel CHANEL testing: A single integrated cabling product is placed into the testing equipment. Most of the channels involved are related to the testing of cables,

it means testing the cable monomer's performance indicators such as throughput, attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio, and crosstalk.

The testing of links has more practical significance than the testing of channels.

Network Analyzers

Can directly and accurately test 100M, 305M, and other different lengths, with test requirements higher than the FLUKE test. 

Packing

1) Common inner packaging  

Plastic Spool	Pull Box	Plastic Pull box	Wooden Spool
100M	305M	305M	100M,300M,500M

2) Common inner packaging

2 Pull Box in 1 Carton	Pallet 1	Pallet 2