|
Cables are an important, but often overlooked, component in a display system. Poorly performing cable can adversely
affect an entire system, which is why they are often called the weakest link in any chain of electronic devices.
There are so many different models and types of cables available in the industry that it's easy to be intimidated
when glancing through a cable catalog. However, all the various cable types aren't that different. They are simply
combined variations of basic cable configurations that fall into the following main conductor groups:
- Individual conductor- Most basic of cables, referred to as wire. Consists of a center conductor wrapped
in a plastic or rubberized outer jacket. Generally used to distribute low-frequency signals such as digital
communication signals and computer ID-bit information.
- Twisted pair- Comprised of two individual conductors -- generally running signal and return -- that have
been twisted together to form one pair of cables. Available in two styles: unshielded and shielded.
- Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)- Most commonly seen in telecommunications and computer networking environments.
Compatible with many different data transfer rates. CAT 5 is a type of UTP cable
- Shielded twisted pair- Consists of a regular twisted pair surrounded by a wire braid shield or foil shield with a drain wire. Shield
provides additional protection against low frequency EMI interference, making it useful for sensitive signal
distribution of audio and computer sync information.
- Coaxial- Two-conductor wire in which one conductor completely wraps the other, with the two separated
by insulation. Abbreviated "coax." Due to complex design, coax is more expensive than twisted pair cable, but
provides excellent performance and shielding that make it very reliable. Crimp style of cable termination used
with these cables makes them very easy to terminate in the field.
|
