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25-pair color code Chart
Twisted pair cabling is a type of wiring in which two conductors of a single circuit are twisted
together for the purposes of canceling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external
sources; for instance, electromagnetic radiation from unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables, and
crosstalk between neighboring pairs. It was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
Coaxial cable, or coax (pronounced /ko.ks/), is a type of cable that has an
inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular
conducting shield. Many coaxial cables also have an insulating outer sheath or
jacket. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield
sharing a geometric axis. Coaxial cable was invented by English engineer and
mathematician Oliver Heaviside, who patented the design in 1880.[1] Coaxial cable
differs from other shielded cable used for carrying lower-frequency signals, such as
audio signals, in that the dimensions of the cable are controlled to give a precise,
constant conductor spacing, which is needed for it to function efficiently as a radio
frequency transmission line.
Coaxial cable is used as a transmission line for radio frequency signals. Its
applications include feedlines connecting radio transmitters and receivers with their
antennas, computer network (Internet) connections, and distributing cable
television signals. One advantage of coaxial over other types of radio transmission
line is that in an ideal coaxial cable the electromagnetic field carrying the signal
exists only in the space between the inner and outer conductors. This allows coaxial
cable runs to be installed next to metal objects such as gutters without the power
losses that occur in other types of transmission lines. Coaxial cable also provides
protection of the signal from external electromagnetic interference.
An optical fiber (or optical fibre) is a flexible, transparent fiber made of extruded glass (silica)
or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It can function as a waveguide, or light pipe,[1] to
transmit light between the two ends of the fiber.[2] The field of applied science and engineering
concerned with the design and application of optical fibers is known as fiber optics.
Optical fibers are widely used in fiber-optic communications, where they permit transmission
over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data rates) than wire cables. Fibers are used
instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss and are also immune to
electromagnetic interference. Fibers are also used for illumination, and are wrapped in bundles
so that they may be used to carry images, thus allowing viewing in confined spaces. Specially
designed fibers are used for a variety of other applications, including sensors and fiber lasers.
Optical fibers typically include a transparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material
with a lower index of refraction. Light is kept in the core by total internal reflection. This causes
the fiber to act as a waveguide. Fibers that support many propagation paths or transverse modes
are called multi-mode fibers (MMF), while those that only support a single mode are called
single-mode fibers (SMF). Multi-mode fibers generally have a wider core diameter, and are used
for short-distance communication links and for applications where high power must be
transmitted. Single-mode fibers are used for most communication links longer than 1,000 meters
(3,300 ft).
Joining lengths of optical fiber is more complex than joining electrical wire or cable. The ends of
the fibers must be carefully cleaved, and then carefully spliced together with the cores perfectly
aligned. A mechanical splice holds the ends of the fibers together mechanically, while fusion
splicing uses heat to fuse the ends of the fibers together. Special optical fiber connectors for
temporary or semi-permanent connections are also available.
