What is the difference between coaxial cable and twisted pair cable?

The three main types of network cables used in telecommunication systems include coaxial cables, twisted-pair cables, and fiber optic cables.

Table of Contents Show

Coaxial Cable
Twisted-Pair Cable
Fiber Optic Cable
Coaxial Vs. Twisted Pair Vs. Fiber Optic Cables
· Performance
· Installation & Maintenance
· Application
What Is a Twisted-Pair Cable?
What Is a Coaxial Cable?
What Is a Fiber Optic Cable?
Comparison Chart: Twisted Pair Cable Vs Coaxial Cable Vs Fiber Optic Cable
Core Differences: Twisted Pair Cable Vs Coaxial Cable Vs Fiber Optic Cable
Comparison Video

These cables are different from each other and made for different purposes. They can be used by businesses for effective network cabling. However, they differ in specifications, applications, and features.

Let’s compare these different types of network cables and learn their differences to give you a better idea of coaxial vs. twisted-pair vs. fiber optic cables.

Before we begin, always remember to consult Communication Solutions Inc. in Jacksonville, for the best network cable solutions in Florida.

That being said, let’s begin by looking closely at each type of network cable.

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable, also known as coax cable or simply coaxial, is the oldest of the three network cables and is designed to transmit high-frequency signals.

It is made up of a round, central copper conductor at its core, protected by three layers of insulation and shielding. These protective layers include an insulating layer, covered by a mesh of conducting shields, and, lastly, a jacket.

These layers prevent crosstalk and electromagnetic interference (EMI) from external sources like light, motors, electronic devices, and other cables. Moreover, the shield allows the coaxial cable to run longer distances without substantial signal loss.

There are many types of coaxial cables. However, they are all mainly used for digital video signal transmission, cable TV, and satellite TV.

Twisted-Pair Cable

Twisted-pair cables are the most commonly used network cables for Ethernet cabling and are often used for telephone communications as well. The cables are designed for data transmission and are made with twisted pairs of copper wires at their core.

These pairs are twisted to prevent interference from external sources and also crosstalk from neighboring twisted pairs. These cables are categorized broadly into two main categories of unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) and shielded twisted-pair (STP).

STP cables have additional shielding in the form of a braided protective foil around the collective twisted pairs inside the cable. They provide better resistance to interference and crosstalk than UTP cables. There are also foil shielded twisted-pair cables (FTP) that have a foil around individual twisted pairs.

You can learn more about these types of twisted-pair cables used in Ethernet cabling by reading our post on the subject here.

Fiber Optic Cable

Unlike the others, fiber optic cables are Ethernet cables that use light signals, or pulses, to transmit data. They have a glass core that allows light signals to carry data from one device to another. This is what makes them far superior to other Ethernet cables like twisted-pair cables.

They have a transmission capacity that is up to 26,000 times higher than a twisted-pair cable. There are two main types of fiber optic cables; single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. Single-mode fibers have a smaller glass core that only allows a single light signal to travel at any given time.

Whereas multimode fibers have a wider glass core that allows multiple light signals to travel simultaneously. Single-mode fiber cables can travel longer distances of up to a few kilometers than multimode but, the latter has a higher capacity for data transmissions at shorter distances of up to 550 meters.

You can learn all about the basics of fiber optic cables in our detailed post on the subject here.

Coaxial Vs. Twisted Pair Vs. Fiber Optic Cables

Now that you have a better understanding of each of the mentioned network cables and their structural differences, let’s look at their performance, installation, and application differences.

· Performance

Coaxial cable and twisted pair cable are copper-based cables protected by insulating and shielding materials. They both transmit television, telephone, and data through electrical signals, whereas fiber optic cables use light to transmit similar types of signals.

The performance difference is much higher with fiber optics than with the others. They provide wider bandwidth, faster speed, and higher frequencies. Here is a chart to give you an idea of the performance differences of each of these cables.

Cable Type	Transmission Speed	Bandwidth	Travel Distance
Coaxial Cable	–	750 MHz	Up to 500 meters
Twisted-Pair Cable	Up to 10Gbps	Up to 4700 MHz	Up to 100 meters
Fiber Optic Cable	Up to 200Gbps	Up to 4700 MHz	Up to 80 kilometers

The performance difference is greatest between twisted-pair and fiber optics, mainly due to the speed difference between an electrical signal and a light signal.

· Installation & Maintenance

While fiber optic cables are far better than the other two, they are still not as popular or commonly used as twisted-pair or coaxial cables. Fiber optics are faster and more reliable but, because of their glass core, they are also more difficult to install and maintain.

Similarly, the insulating layer of the copper core of a coaxial cable makes it more difficult to install and maintain. This is one of the reasons why twisted-pair is the most popular and common for Ethernet and network needs of businesses around the world.

· Application

Fiber optics are becoming more and more common for businesses and homes due to their performance benefits, however, they are commonly used to connect cities and countries over long distances. They are also great for data centers where large amounts of data transmissions are the norm.

Twisted pair cables are most commonly used in voice and data networking, Ethernet networking, and cable shielding. Whereas coaxial cables have applications in radio transmitters and receivers, network connections, digital audio, and distributing cable TV signals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are noticeable differences between coaxial, twisted-pair, and fiber optic cables. However, fiber optic cables are the future and are increasingly trending in global markets due to their high performance that can support developing technologies.

Whether you opt for coaxial cables, twisted-pair cables, or fiber optic cables will depend on the application and performance needs of your business. Although, we highly recommend consulting the expert professionals at Communications Solutions Inc. in Jacksonville for the best cable solutions in Florida.

If you want to learn more about coaxial vs. twisted-pair vs. fiber optic cables, or about the best Ethernet and network cable solutions in Jacksonville, Florida, Contact Us Today.

What is the difference between twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable?

Network cables have made communication systems in the world quite simple and easy. Twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, and fiber optic cables are some of the valuable network cables to consider.

These cables play different roles and they tend to be quite distinct from each other in terms of features and specifications. Each cable has its advantages and disadvantages.

The lesson provides detailed insight into the difference between twisted pair, coaxial cable, and fiber optics in tabular form. Take the time to read to know the twisted pair cable vs optical cable vs coaxial cable.

Read More: Difference between HDMI and VGA

What Is a Twisted-Pair Cable?

A twisted pair cable is mainly used in telephone communication and a modern Ethernet network. The cable is a type of wiring with two conductors twisted together.

The wires are responsible for transmitting data in a complete circuit and the twisted pair offers protection against crosstalk which is the noise generated by the adjacent pairs.

Twisted pair cables can either be shielded or unshielded pair cables. The shielded twisted pair cable is surrounded by a fine wire mesh to protect wires from the transmission. Unshielded twisted pair cable is not surrounded by a fine mesh.

Characteristics of Twisted Pair Cable

A single circuit has two conductors twisted together
Modern Ethernet cables are either Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) or Shielded Twisted Pair (STP).
The external magnetic field can affect the twisted pair cable
The pair has insulated copper wire
The price of the cables are quite affordable
Designed to reduce noise from outside
Transmission of signals takes place in electrical form
Has a very high attenuation
Installation and implementation is quite simple and easy
The bandwidth of twisted pair cable is low
Security of data transmission is not guaranteed
Have low-speed transmission of television and telephone data
Suitable for data network, telephone network, and cable shielding
Have copper-based wires insulated with other materials
The cables tend to be quite heavy
Experience resistive loss, dielectric loss, radiated loss and loss over time.

Advantages of Twisted Pair Cable

Comparatively cost-effective
Pliable and easy to install
Suitable for over a short distance

Disadvantages of Twisted Pair Cables

Not durable
Prone to EMI
Have a higher attenuation

What Is a Coaxial Cable?

A coaxial fiber is typically designed to transmit high-level signals. It is also known as coax cable. It comprises of round copper conductor, three layers of insulation, and shielding.

Insulation and shielding are responsible for preventing crosstalk from motors, lighting, and other sources of EMI. The coax cable can support longer cable lengths between two devices.

Coax cables are classified into RG59 and RG6. RG59 coax cable is suitable for TV transmission since it has less shielding and thinner in design. RG6 is suitable for digital video signals and satellite TV due to heavier gauges and thick insulation and shielding.

Characteristics of Coaxial Cable

Design to transmit high-frequency signals
Classified into RG59 and RG6 coax cables
Inner conductor transmit signal in the form of electrical form
Coax cable not affected by magnetic fields
Comprise of solid conductor wire, grounding conductor, a layer of insulation, and a layer of exterior insulation
The price of the cable is relatively higher
Installation and implementation is relatively difficult
The bandwidth of the coaxial cable is higher
Transmitted signal security is not guaranteed
Suitable for connecting radio transmitters and receivers with their antennas
Transmit data, telephone and television signal at low speed
Have copper-based wires surrounded with other insulation materials making the diameter wider
The coax cables are heavier in weight
Experience Resistive loss, Dielectric loss, and Radiated loss.
Has low attenuation

Advantages of Coaxial Cable

Quite durable
Perform better over a short distance

Disadvantages of Coaxial Cable

Signal loss over a long distance
Signal tend to leak at point of egress
Speed tends to fluctuate under heavy usage

What Is a Fiber Optic Cable?

A fiber optic cable is an Ethernet cable that consists of two or more optic fibers that transmit data. The optic fiber transmits data as pulses of light go through tiny tubes of glass.

The cable is also known as optical fiber cable. It has the reputation of transmitting 26,000 times higher than that of twisted pair cable.

The optical fiber cable is further divided into single-mode fiber (SMF) and multimode fiber (MMF). These classes differ in performance and how they operate.

Single-mode fiber has a small core that allows one mode of light to propagate at a time while multimode fiber has a larger core which is designed to transfer multiple light rays or modes at the same time.

Examples of single-mode fiber are OS2 cable while those of multimode fiber are OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5.

Characteristics of Fiber Optic Cable

Has one or more optic fibers for data transmission
Classified into Single-mode fiber (SMF) and Multimode fiber (MMF).
Transmit data as pulses of light through tiny tubes of glass
Not affected by magnetic fields
Have very thin optical fibers bundled together into a single cable.
High performance and capacity make them quite expensive
Have low attenuation
Have the highest noise rejection power
Installation and implementation is quite difficult
Have the highest bandwidth
The signal transmission has a security guarantee
Suitable for long distances
Has a faster speed signal transmission
Tend to be lightweight in nature
Consist of very thin and pliable tubes of glass or plastic
Experience dispersion, bending, absorption, and attenuation

Advantages of Fiber Optic Cable

Can be bundled together
Has EMI resistant
Has high performance over longer distances

Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cable

Difficult to install and implement
Tend to be quite expensive
Prone to cut and damage

Comparison Chart: Twisted Pair Cable Vs Coaxial Cable Vs Fiber Optic Cable

Twisted Pair Cable	Coaxial Cable	Fiber Optic Cable
Has a speed up to 10Gbps	Not define the speed limit	Has a speed of up to 10/100/1000Mbps, 10/40/100/200Gbps
Has a bandwidth of up to 4700MHz	Has a bandwidth of 750MHz (default)	Has a bandwidth of up to 4700MHz
Cover a distance of up to 100m	Cover a distance of up to 500m	Cover a distance of up to 80km
Comparatively affordable	Relatively expensive	Relatively affordable
Easy to install, maintain and operate	Easy to install and implement	Difficult to install, maintain and operate
Resistive loss, Dielectric loss, Radiated loss, and Loss over time.	Resistive loss, Dielectric loss, and Radiated loss.	Dispersion, bending, absorption, and attenuation.
Heaviest in terms of weight	Heavier in terms of weight	Tend to be lightweight
Have larger diameter	Have larger diameter	Have small diameter
Used in the telephone network, data network, and cable shielding	Used in feedlines connecting radio transmitters and receivers with their antennas, computer network connections, and digital audio	Used to support long-distance connections between countries and cities.
Signal transmission security is not to guarantee	Signal transmission security is not to guarantee	Signal transmission security is a guarantee
Have very high attenuation	Have low attenuation	Have low attenuation
Not suitable for noise rejection	Relatively good for noise rejection	Topnotch when it comes to noise rejection
Have no alternative name	Coax cable	Optical fiber cable
Can either be shielded or unshielded twisted pair cable	Can either be RG59 or RG6	Grouped as Single-mode fiber (SMF) and Multimode fiber (MMF).
Transmission of the signal takes place in the form of electrical over metallic conducting wire.	Transmission of the signal takes place in the form of electrical over the inner conductor of the cable.	Signal transmission takes place in light forms over glass fiber.
Affected by the external magnetic field	Less affected by the magnetic field	Never affected by the external magnetic field
Consist of a pair of insulated copper wire.	Comprise of solid conductor wire, a layer of insulation, a grounding conductor, and a layer of exterior insulation.	Made up of very thin optical fibers bundled together into a single cable.

Core Differences: Twisted Pair Cable Vs Coaxial Cable Vs Fiber Optic Cable

Twisted pair cable and coaxial cable have signal transmitted in form of electricity while fiber optic cable in form of optical.
Fiber optic cable has a speed up to 200 GBs and twisted pair cable up to 10GBs while coaxial cable has no define speed limit
Fiber optic cable is more efficient when compared to both coaxial cable and twisted pair cable
Coaxial cable has lower bandwidth while twisted pair cable and fiber optic fiber has a higher bandwidth
Coaxial cable and twisted pair cable are easier to install while fiber optic fiber cable is difficult.
Fiber optic cable is suitable for longer distances while twisted pair cable and coaxial cable for shorter distances
Coaxial cable is also known as coax cable while fiber optic cable as optical fiber cable whereas twisted pair cable has no alternative name
Twisted pair cable and coaxial cable are relatively affordable while optical fiber cable is quite expensive
Coaxial cable and twisted pair cable are heavier while optical fiber cable is lightweight
Twisted pair cable and coaxial cable are heavier than fiber optic cable
Twisted pair cable and coaxial cable experience resistive loss, dielectric loss, radiated loss, and loss over time while optical fiber cable experience dispersion, bending, absorption and attenuation.
Twisted pair cable is suitable for telephone networks, data networks, and cable shielding, coaxial cable is suitable for feedlines connecting radio transmitters and receivers with their antennas and optical fiber cable for long-distance connections between countries and cities.
The signal transmitted security by twisted pair cable and coaxial cable is not guaranteed while that of optical fiber cable is a guarantee
Twisted pair cables have a very high attenuation while both coaxial cable and optical fiber cable is quite low
Twisted pair cable is not good in noise rejection, coaxial cable is good in noise rejection and fiber optic cable is the best in noise rejection
Twisted pair cable consists of insulated copper wire while coaxial cable consists of solid conductor wire, a layer of insulation, a grounding conductor, and a layer of exterior insulation while optical fiber cable consists of very thin optical fibers bundled together into a single cable.
Twisted pair cable is affected with magnetic fields, coaxial cable-less affected by magnetic fields while optical fiber cable never affected by magnetic fields

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Comparison Video

Summary

No doubt that there is a lot of differences between twisted pair cable vs coaxial cable vs fiber optic cable. The optical fiber cable is quite popular across the world when compared to coax cable and twisted pair cable. Their applications are what set them apart.