Definition of shielded and unshielded network cables

　　Shielded network cables and unshielded network cables are two different types of network cables, which have significant differences in structure, performance and application scenarios. The following are their definitions and main characteristics:

　　Shielded Network Cable (STP)

　　Shielded network cable refers to a network cable with a metal shielding layer added around the insulating jacket. This metal shielding layer can effectively resist external electromagnetic interference and reduce signal interference and loss, thereby improving the stability and reliability of data tranSMission. Shielded network cable usually also contains an external metal layer as an additional protection. The design of shielded network cable includes four pairs of twisted wires. Each pair of wires is surrounded by a metal shielding layer to prevent signal interference. It should be noted that shielding only works if there is a shielding device throughout the cable and the two ends are properly grounded. According to the different shielding methods, shielded network cable is further divided into STP (Shielded). Twisted-Pair) and FTP (Foil) STP refers to a shielded network cable with its own shielding layer for each line, while FTP is a shielded network cable with overall shielding.

　　Unshielded Network Cable (UTP)

　　Unshielded network cable refers to a network cable without a metal shielding layer. It is usually composed of pairs of insulated wires, each pair of wires are entangled together to form a structure known as a "steering pair". Unshielded network cable consists of four pairs of twisted wires, which are separated by insulating materials to prevent signal interference. Unshielded network cable usually has an insulating jacket for protection. Unshielded network cable has a small diameter, saves the space occupied, is light weight, easy to bend and easy to install. Due to its low cost and less demanding wiring requirements, unshielded network cable is widely used in most home and office environments.

　　summarize

　　To sum up, there are significant differences between shielded network cables and unshielded network cables in terms of structure, performance and application scenarios. Shielded network cables have excellent anti-electromagnetic interference performance and higher cost, and are suitable for environments with higher requirements on signal integrity and anti-interference; while unshielded network cables have the advantages of low cost, easy installation and suitability for general home and office environments. When choosing a network cable, it is necessary to decide which type of network cable to use according to actual needs.