Coaxial Cable vs. Twisted Pair Cable: What Should I Choose?
The market of modern communication and network cables is oversaturated with offers, so it could be difficult to choose a cable that is best for your particular application. In this article, we compare the most popular types of network cables, coaxial cable and twisted pair cable, to help you make a well-informed choice. We focus on the differences between various subtypes of these cables and the benefits of each.
What Is A Coaxial Cable?
Coaxial, or coax cable, is a high-level signal transmission cable that consists of a round solid conductor, ground conductor, three coats of insulation, and a strong metal shielding. The transmission of signal in coaxial cable happens with the help of an internal conductor.
Coaxial cable is used for ethernet and the transmission of video signals. It is known for its wonderful resistance to electromagnetic interference and the ability to transform signals over significant distances.
What Is A Twisted Pair Cable?
A twisted pair cable is a communication cable that consists of two insulated copper wires twisted into a pair, and a plastic cover. The signal in a twisted pair cable is transmitted through a metallic conducting wire. The cable is used for Ethernet (including Gigabit ), shielding, and the transmission of telephone signals. It is a cheap, easy-to-install cable that gets better with every consequent generation.
From RG 6 TO RG 59: Types of Coaxial Cables
Common types of coaxial cables on the market are RG 6, RG 11, and RG 59.
RG 6 is a thin cable that can be installed into walls and ceilings. It has thick insulation and is recommended for frequencies above 50 MHz. It also has a superior signal quality. RG 6 is used with CATV, TV, analog video, and broadband internet.
RG 11 is a thick cable for underground and outdoor uses to carry signals over long distances. It is a wonderful cable for HDTV because it can translate strong signals.
RG 59 is a thin cable recommended for frequencies below 50 MHz and for short distances. The cable is superior when it comes to CCTV.
From CAT 1 to Cat 7: Types of Twisted Pair Cables
Twisted pair cables can be categorized as shielded/ unshielded. They can also be categorized according to generation.
STP vs. UTP
Twisted pair cables can be shielded (STP) or unshielded (UTP). Just like the name suggests, a shielded cable has a shield that protects it from electromagnetic interference. UTP twisted pair cables are good for most ethernet applications, whereas STP are premium cables used in industrial applications where electromagnetic interference is a concern.
Category Cables
Twisted pair cables are also commonly known as category cables. There are CAT cables from CAT1 to CAT7, and each of them indicates a new generation of a cable with superior properties. CAT1 and CAT4 are the categories of telephone and ethernet cables that are used to a lesser extent today. Cables from CAT5 to CAT7 are common modern category cables.
Cat 5 is a 100 Mbps cable for 100BaseT Ethernet.
Cat 5e is a 1,000 Mbps cable for Gigabit Ethernet.
Cat 6 is a 1,000 Mbps cable for Gigabit Ethernet with higher frequency and bandwidth than CAT5 cables.
Cat 6a is a variety of Cat 6 with a higher frequency maximum of 600 MHz and a speed of 10,000 Mbps.
Cat 8 is the newest-generation category cable with the highest frequency and speed on the market. It is mainly used in data centers.
Coaxial vs. Twisted Pair: Points of Comparison
- Length. Coaxial cables support longer distances compared to twisted pair cables. You can run your Ethernet for 100 meters with a twisted pair cable. With a coaxial cable, this distance increases five times to an impressive 500m.
- Transmission Rate. Both coaxial and twisted pair cables have excellent transmission rates for their price, though coaxial cables always transfer more data. Transmission rate is one of the factors that explains price difference.
- Bandwidth. Coaxial cables have superior bandwidth to twisted copper cables. However, with each new generation, the bandwidth of twisted-pair cables improves significantly. Currently, the maximum bandwidth of a Cat 7 cable is 750 MHz.
- Price. Twisted pair cables are way cheaper than coaxial ones. Your average CAT6 cable has a price of $8-9 per foot, whereas a coaxial cable costs $12-13 per foot. A new generation CAT7 is slightly more expensive but is still cheaper than a coaxial cable.
- Ease of Installation. Twisted pair cables are very easy to install because they are thin. Meanwhile, the installation of coaxial cables can be difficult and expensive because those cables are stiff.
- Crosstalk and EMI. Coaxial cables are better protected from crosstalk and electromagnetic interference because of their overall structure and excellent metal shielding. Twisted pair cables offer only mild protection that is negligible. It is the lowest protection among all types of network cables on the market.
- Durability. Due to its structure, coaxial cable is very durable, while twisted pair cable has low durability and may have to be regularly maintained. However, this factor is not extremely significant in the case of regular residential use.
The Bottom Line
For short-distance applications, choose twisted pair cables, especially if price and ease of installation matter to you. For long-distance applications, coax cables are your best bet. Always choose coax cables if crosstalk and electromagnetic interference matter to you. While both cables are used for Ethernet, coaxial is the best option for analog video, CATV, HDTV, and CCTV.
At Nassau National Cable, we carry the newest generations of top-quality twisted pair and coaxial cables at some of the best prices in the industry. Click on the link to shop for computer and data communication cables of all types.
