3.2 - Summarize basic cable types and their connectors, features, and purposes.

Question 1

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Answer 1

UTP is the most common Ethernet cable used in networking.

Characteristics:

Contains pairs of copper wires twisted together

Reduces electromagnetic interference

Used for LAN connections

Uses RJ45 connectors

Common categories include Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a.

Think:
Standard Ethernet cable used in homes and offices.

Question 2

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Answer 2

STP cables include additional shielding around the twisted wire pairs.

Purpose:

Protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI)

Used in environments with heavy electrical equipment

Think:
UTP with extra shielding for noisy environments.

Question 3

Direct Burial Cable

Answer 3

Direct burial cables are designed to be installed underground without protective conduit.

Features:

Waterproof insulation

Resistant to environmental damage

Used for:

Outdoor networking installations.

Question 4

T568A / T568B Wiring Standards

Answer 4

These standards define how Ethernet cable wires are arranged inside an RJ45 connector.

Key point:

Both standards function the same

They differ only in wire color order

Most modern installations use T568B.

Question 5

Coaxial Cable

Answer 5

Coaxial cables use a single copper core surrounded by insulation and shielding.

Common uses:

Cable internet

Cable television

Connector type:
F-type connector

Think:
Used by cable modems and TV systems.

Question 6

Fiber Optic Cables

Answer 6

Fiber cables transmit data using light instead of electricity.

Advantages:

Extremely high speeds

Long-distance communication

Immune to electromagnetic interference

Question 7

Single-Mode Fiber

Answer 7

Single-mode fiber carries light through a single path.

Characteristics:

Very long-distance communication

Extremely high bandwidth

Used in ISP infrastructure

Think:
Long-distance fiber networks.

Question 8

Multimode Fiber

Answer 8

Multimode fiber carries light through multiple paths.

Characteristics:

Shorter distances than single-mode

Used in data centers or building networks

Think:
Shorter distance fiber connections.

Question 9

Plenum-Rated Cable

Answer 9

Plenum cables are designed for installation in air-handling spaces such as ceilings and ventilation systems.

Characteristics:

Fire-resistant insulation

Produces less toxic smoke if burned

Required by building codes in many commercial installations.

Question 10

USB 2.0

Answer 10

USB 2.0 is an older USB standard used for connecting peripherals.

Speed:
Up to 480 Mbps

Common devices:

Keyboards

Mice

Printers

Question 11

USB 3.0

Answer 11

USB 3.0 provides significantly faster data transfer.

Speed:
Up to 5 Gbps

Often identifiable by blue connectors.

Question 12

Serial Cable

Answer 12

Serial cables transmit data one bit at a time.

Commonly used for:

Network device configuration

Legacy hardware

Connector type:
DB9

Question 13

Thunderbolt

Answer 13

Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface that supports:

Data transfer

Video output

Power delivery

Often uses USB-C connectors.

Common on modern laptops.

Question 14

DisplayPort

Answer 14

DisplayPort is a digital video interface used primarily for computer monitors.

Advantages:

High resolution

High refresh rates

Multiple monitor support

Often used in professional workstations.

Question 15

USB-C Video

Answer 15

USB-C can carry video signals using technologies such as DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

Common on modern laptops and mobile devices.

Question 16

SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

Answer 16

SATA cables connect storage drives to motherboards.

Used for:

Hard drives

SSDs

Optical drives

Question 17

RJ45

Answer 17

RJ45 connectors are used for Ethernet networking cables.

Common with:

Cat5e

Cat6

Question 18

RJ11

Answer 18

RJ11 connectors are used for telephone lines and DSL connections.

Smaller than RJ45.

Question 19

F-Type Connector

Answer 19

Used with coaxial cables.

Common for:

Cable TV

Cable internet

Question 20

Fiber Connectors

Answer 20

T (Straight Tip)

Uses a twist-lock connector.

Older fiber connector design.

SC (Subscriber Connector)

Uses a push-pull locking connector.

Common in fiber installations.

LC (Lucent Connector)

Small-form fiber connector used in high-density fiber networking.

Question 21

MicroUSB

Answer 21

Older USB connector previously used on cameras and mobile devices.

Question 22

USB-C

Answer 22

Modern reversible USB connector.

Supports:

Data

Video

Power

Question 23

DB9

Answer 23

9-pin connector used with serial communication cables.

Often used for network device configuration.

Question 24

High-Yield Quick Comparison

Answer 24

Cable Primary Use
UTP Ethernet networking
Coaxial Cable internet/TV
Fiber High-speed long-distance networks
SATA Internal storage drives
HDMI Digital audio/video
DisplayPort High-end monitor connections
VGA Legacy analog video
RJ45 Ethernet connector
RJ11 Telephone/DSL

Question 25

Common CompTIA Scenario Triggers

Answer 25

Cable internet modem connection → Coax / F-type Ethernet networking → UTP with RJ45 Fiber ISP connection → Single-mode fiber High-end monitor setup → DisplayPort Legacy monitor → VGA Internal hard drive connection → SATA Network closet wall jack termination → Punchdown block