Final answer:
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables are used in telecommunications for their ability to reduce electromagnetic interference through wire twisting, lack of additional shielding materials, flexibility in installation, and use of copper conductors insulated by rubber and plastic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of UTP Cable
UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair, which is a type of cable used in telecommunications and networking. The characteristics of UTP cables include:
- Consisting of pairs of wires twisted together, which helps to reduce electromagnetic interference from external sources.
- Being unshielded, UTP cables rely on the twist of the wires to manage interference without additional shielding materials.
- The flexibility of the cable makes it easy to install and route through walls and ceilings.
- UTP cables are often used to connect computer jacks and plugs, and they are ubiquitous in Ethernet networks.
- Common conductor material within UTP cables is copper, a good conductor that allows electrons to move freely through the wires, with insulation materials such as rubber and plastic preventing the electric charge from escaping.
Due to their simpler design, UTP cables are generally less expensive and more common than their shielded counterparts, making them a popular choice for many networking applications.