Twisted Pair
In twisted pair cabling, two conductors are twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference.
Types of Ethernet cables include Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP). Ethernet cables are typically terminated with an RJ45 connector. An Ethernet cable can be connected to both a patch panel and wall jacks.
All Oracle MICROS workstations have at least one 8-pin modular port for Ethernet network communication.
Solid Wire Cable
An Ethernet cable may contain several solid copper conductors. These thicker gauge wires make solid copper Ethernet cables ideal for permanent installations.
Stranded Wire Cable
An Ethernet cable can contain many strands of thin copper wires. This thinner gauge makes the cable more flexible and ideal for connections between wall jacks and workstations.
Unshielded Cable
Unshielded cables are manufactured without any additional insulation or protection against electromagnetic interference. Shielding materials like mesh or aluminum foil are not used in the production of unshielded cables.
Unshielded cables are susceptible to data flow disruptions caused by various types of electrical interference. For this reason, unshielded network cables should not be installed near electrical sources, as magnetic fields from electrical installations can interfere with data transmission.
Shielded Cable
Shielded cables are designed to minimize external magnetic interference. These Ethernet cables may include a drain wire, which provides a means for grounding the cable.
Sources of Interference
- Fluorescent lighting
- Electric motors
- Transformers
- Electrical wiring and equipment
Ethernet Cable
- Category 5e Ethernet
- Category 6 Ethernet
Ethernet cabling is classified into categories that specify the quality of both the cable and related connection hardware, such as faceplates, modular connectors, and patch cables.
Several categories of UTP and related connection hardware are defined for structured cabling systems. Many cable suppliers now also offer STP equivalents of Category 6 cables and connection hardware. Each category is briefly described below.
The Category 5e standard was formally defined in 2001. Category 5e offers improved specifications over Category 5, with tighter standards to support full-duplex Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. Most current Oracle MICROS workstations support Gigabit Ethernet.
Category 5e cable performance characteristics and certification methods are defined in the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-2001 standard.
Category 6, ratified in June 2002 (ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1), offers higher performance than Category 5e, with stricter specifications for crosstalk and system noise, and supports bandwidths up to 250 MHz. Category 6 cable is standardized for Gigabit Ethernet, which is included on all current MICROS workstations.
Category 6a cable, also known as Augmented Category 6, was defined in February 2009 by ANSI/TIA-568-C.1. It is rated to operate at 500 MHz and offers improved protection against alien crosstalk.
Ensure that the installation and termination of Category 6 or 6a cables and connection hardware comply with the required specifications.
In environments with high levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI), shielded cables are required. The shielding helps reduce the impact of EMI on the data transmitted through the cable. To maintain effective shielding, use a drain wire in the same sheath as the twisted pairs, ensuring the shield is continuous from one end of the cable to the other.
Table 7-2 Examples of Ethernet Data Transmission Capacity
| Name | IEEE Standard | Media |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Ethernet | 802.3u |
100Base-TX 100Base-FX |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 802.3z |
1000Base-T 1000Base-SX 1000Base-LX |
| 10 Gigabit Ethernet | 802.3ae |
10GBase-SR 10GBase-LX4 10GBase-LR/ER 10GBase-SW/LW/EW |
Even with shielding, grounding, and bypassing, metallic cables can act like antennas and remain susceptible to RF noise. The longer the cable, the higher the risk of interference from nearby electrical equipment.
Metallic cables can experience voltage differences between the cable and electrical ground. This issue often arises in large buildings or campus environments where equipment is powered by multiple AC power panels that may not share the same ground potential.
Parent topic: Cable Types