Suggest an editImprove this articleRefine the answer for “What is twisted pair?”. Your changes go to moderation before they’re published.Approval requiredContentWhat you’re changing🇺🇸EN🇺🇦UAPreviewTitle (EN)Short answer (EN)**Twisted pair** is a type of cable made of pairs of copper wires twisted together, used to transmit data in computer networks. **Key point:** twisting the wires cancels out external interference, so data is transmitted more reliably and over a longer distance.Shown above the full answer for quick recall.Answer (EN)Image**Twisted pair** is a **type of cable** made of **pairs of copper wires twisted together**, used to transmit data in computer networks. Put simply: twisted pair is an **Ethernet cable** in which the wires are deliberately twisted to **reduce interference**. --- ## Why are the wires twisted? Twisting is not an accident, it is a **way of fighting interference**. When the wires are twisted: - external interference affects both wires equally - on reception, this interference **cancels out** - the signal becomes more stable Thanks to this, data is transmitted **more reliably and over a longer distance**. --- ## How twisted pair is built The cable usually contains: - **4 pairs of wires** (8 conductors in total) - each pair is twisted with a **different pitch** - copper conductors inside - an outer insulation layer A different twist pitch is needed so that: - the pairs interfere with each other less --- ## Types of twisted pair ### 1. **UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)** - no shielding - the most common - cheaper Used: - in offices - at home - in ordinary Ethernet networks --- ### 2. **STP / FTP (shielded twisted pair)** - has a metal shield - better protected from interference - more expensive Used: - near sources of interference - in manufacturing - in server rooms --- ## Twisted pair categories (briefly) The category affects speed and frequency: - **Cat5e**: up to 1 Gbps - **Cat6**: up to 10 Gbps (over short distances) - **Cat6a**: up to 10 Gbps (up to 100 m) --- ## The role of twisted pair at the physical layer The physical layer: - uses twisted pair as the **transmission medium** - accounts for its length, interference, and category - determines the maximum speed and distance --- ## Simple analogy Two people carrying a heavy object: - if one stumbles, the other compensates The same happens with the wires in a twisted pair - **interference gets "canceled out"**. --- ## Briefly, for the interview > **Twisted pair** is a cable made of twisted pairs of copper wires, used to transmit data and reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference.For the reviewerNote to the moderator (optional)Visible only to the moderator. Helps review go faster.