---
title: "UTP characteristics and performance"
subject: "Data Communication"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_5/data_communication:utp-characteristics"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/data_communication/utp-characteristics
site: BCT Engineering
---

# UTP characteristics and performance

Data Communication · Chapter 4: Transmission Media

- Asked in: 2068 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Twisted Pair Cable: Guided Transmission Media | Data Communication & Computer Networks | Lecture 38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLWhllr5BY) — Mind Your Exam Channel
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/data_communication/utp-characteristics
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/data_communication/chapter-4

## Question

Describe the characteristics and performance of UTP cables over other guided transmission media.

## Short answer

UTP is the cheapest, lightest, and easiest to install, but has higher attenuation, lower bandwidth, and greater susceptibility to EMI than coaxial or fiber. It is limited to 100 m and used for short-distance LANs.

## Answer

**UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)** consists of pairs of twisted copper wires with a plastic jacket and no metal shield (Cat 3, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A).

#### Characteristics
- Typically 4 pairs with an RJ-45 connector; impedance 100 ohm; length up to 100 m per segment.
- Frequency range up to 100 MHz (Cat 5e), 250 MHz (Cat 6) and 500 MHz (Cat 6A).
- Data rates: 100 Mbps (Cat 5), 1 Gbps (Cat 5e/6), 10 Gbps (Cat 6A).
- Twisting cancels part of the noise and crosstalk.

#### Performance compared with other guided media
- **Advantages**: cheapest cable; lightest, thinnest and most flexible; easy to install, terminate and expand; widely available and standardised; suited to LAN use.
- **Disadvantages**: higher attenuation and lower bandwidth than coaxial and fibre; more sensitive to EMI and crosstalk than STP, coax and fibre; limited distance (100 m); easily tapped, so low security.

UTP is therefore the first choice for short-distance LAN and telephone wiring, while fibre is used where distance, bandwidth or noise immunity are required.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which data rate matches Cat 6A?
   A. 100 Mbps
   B. 10 Gbps
   C. 1 Gbps
   D. 10 Mbps
   Answer: B. Cat 5 is 100 Mbps; Cat 5e/6 1 Gbps; Cat 6A 10 Gbps. (Key point: Data rates)

2. Maximum length per UTP segment:
   A. 10 m
   B. 1 km
   C. 100 m
   D. 2 km
   Answer: C. UTP is limited in distance. (Key point: Limit)

3. UTP compared with coax and fibre:
   A. Lower attenuation
   B. Higher attenuation, lower bandwidth and more sensitive to EMI
   C. Immune to EMI
   D. Hard to tap
   Answer: B. It is cheap but weak electrically. (Key point: Disadvantage)

4. UTP is the first choice for:
   A. Long haul backbone
   B. Undersea links
   C. Satellite uplinks
   D. Short-distance LAN and telephone wiring
   Answer: D. Fibre is used where distance or immunity is needed. (Key point: Best use)

## Related in Data Communication

- [Transmission characteristics of guided media](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdata_communication%3Aguided-media-transmission-characteristics) — Data Communication, chapter 4
- [Guided vs unguided transmission media](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdata_communication%3Aguided-vs-unguided-media) — Data Communication, chapter 4
- [Physical description of guided media](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdata_communication%3Aguided-media-description) — Data Communication, chapter 4, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Guided and other transmission media](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Atransmission-media-explain) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 2, asked 3×
- [Guided and unguided transmission media](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Atransmission-media-explain) — Telecommunications, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Guided media comparison and hybrid operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aguided-media-hybrid-operation) — Telecommunications, chapter 2
- [Guided and unguided media for radio signals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aradio-guided-unguided-compare) — Telecommunications, chapter 2