Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
What are the characteristics of Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cable compared to UTP?
STP adds braided/foil shielding (overall and per-pair) for better EMI/RFI protection than UTP, but it costs more and is harder to install; it also uses RJ-45.
STP provides better noise protection than UTP:
| Characteristic | STP |
|---|---|
| Noise protection | Better than UTP |
| Cost | More expensive than UTP |
| Installation | Harder to install than UTP |
| Connectors | RJ-45 connectors |
STP structure (4 layers):
- Outer jacket - Protects from physical damage
- Braided or foil shield - EMI/RFI protection
- Foil shield for each pair - Additional EMI/RFI protection
- Color-coded plastic insulation - Isolates and identifies wires
Go deeper:
-
Twisted pair — Wikipedia — covers both shielded (STP/FTP) and unshielded variants and when shielding helps. -
Electromagnetic interference — Wikipedia — the EMI/RFI that STP's foil and braid shields are there to block.