Understanding Shielded vs. Unshielded Ethernet Cables

Unshielded twisted-pair cables were the standard for decades before shielded cables changed the scene. Now there is a demand for both varieties, but there are also reasons why you might still choose one over the other.

Depending on the situation, what type of network you run and what you’re using your service for are all valid reasons. Here we will delve into understanding shielded vs. unshielded Ethernet cables, so that you can make the best decisions when looking for Ethernet cables for your personal network connection.

Effects of Both

When handling shielded (STP) versus unshielded (UTP) Ethernet cables, you should keep a few things in mind. The shielded has one primary purpose, which is to block out electromagnetic radio frequencies that can disrupt the signal and cause what is known as “interference,” or crosstalk.

This is just like white noise that can come from other sources and get interpreted through your signal. However, while this is a nice aspect of having shielded, it isn’t mandatory that you go with this variety. Which one you decide to choose will, however, make an impact on your personal business.

Pricing of Cables

Because there is extra hardware involved in making shielded cables, they tend to be made thicker and larger overall for lengthier projects. This also hikes the prices way up. Because shielded cables are thicker, this limits their capabilities, as where unshielded cables have universally been used for all purposes.

Installation Process

Now that we know more about shielded cables, we also know that they have their limitations. This means that you cannot install them anywhere because of their lack of flexibility and their added thickness from the shielding.

You can only apply them in certain applications, whereas unshielded cables can go anywhere and at any time. Outdoor installation is even an option, as long as there aren’t too many radio frequencies from businesses nearby.

This poses a problem for both, as one blocks out the interference and the other cannot. However, placement is key, so if the UTP Ethernet cables are positioned correctly during installation, then chances are there will be no interference. Note that STP Ethernet cables have a much more expensive installation due to all these factors.

Before you ever make any decisions about your network and business, make sure you understand shielded vs. unshielded Ethernet cables first. This will save you a lot of time and trouble down the road.