Twisted Pair UTP, FTP, Cat 5e/6/6a: Which Cable to Choose

What Numbers Mean

A 305m roll labeled "LW Cat6 FTP outdoor 305M":

• LW — manufacturer
• Cat6 — category (max speed)
• FTP — foiled shielding
• outdoor — UV/armored sheath
• 305M — standard roll length

Categories — Real Performance

Cat 7 is mostly a myth — TIA standard unrecognized, rare connectors, 2-3× price for same real speed. Skip it.

UTP vs FTP

• UTP — unshielded, cheaper, fine for 90% cases
• FTP — foiled, anti-interference
• STP/SFTP — per-pair shielding, rarely needed

Use FTP when:

• Cable runs alongside power lines (within 30cm parallel)
• Industrial/electrically noisy environments
• Long external runs between buildings

Standard office? UTP is enough.

Indoor vs Outdoor

• Indoor — PVC sheath, grey
• Outdoor — PE with UV protection, black, anti-rodent armor
• Outdoor with messenger — between buildings

Outdoor mandatory outside. Indoor PVC cracks within 1-2 years in sun.

How Many Meters

• Office workstation — 15-20m
• Between WiFi APs — 10-30m
• Office → server room — actual length + 5-10m

305m roll covers 12-18 workstations.

Real Cables in Uzbekistan

Common Mistakes

1. Cat 7 "for the future." Cat 6a covers everything; Cat 7 = overpay.
2. UTP in noisy environments. Will drop packets near 380V.
3. Indoor cable outside. Saved 500k, lose 5M redoing it.
4. No crimp tool/connectors. Useless cable without RJ45 + crimper (180k).
5. Cuts too short. Leave 1-2m slack each end.

Bottom Line

• Home / small office (≤8 ws): Cat 5e FTP indoor
• Office 10+ ws: Cat 6 FTP indoor
• Between buildings: Cat 6 FTP outdoor
• DC / 10G: Cat 6a UTP/FTP

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