The choice between UTP and FTP can be very important when buying an internet cable . In other words, do you choose an unshielded (UTP) or shielded (FTP) network cable? The key question is: how likely is it to experience interference?

Disruptions to UTP and FTP cables

When UTP cables come into contact with power or coaxial cables, this can cause disruptions, also known as interference. This is noticeable in the data transmission. The interference can result in a weaker or even no network signal at all. In practice, network cables (UTP or FTP) are often located close to power cables, for example, and shielding is therefore recommended for optimal performance.

UTP vs FTP: What's the difference?

UTP stands for Unshielded Wired Pair . Unshielded means unshielded. This means interference can easily occur. Pretty simple, right? Incidentally, a UTP cable is officially called a U/UTP cable .

FTP stands for Foiled Twisted P air . Foiled means that (aluminum) foil is used as a shield, i.e., for protection. This significantly reduces/eliminates the risk of disruptions and is therefore, in principle, a better choice, also for the future.

The confusing thing is that "FTP" is a term often used colloquially, but in practice it simply means a shielded network cable . And there are quite a few types of those:

• S/FTP : S houded / Foiled T wisted P air > OUR ADVICE because of the double shielding!
• U/FTP : U nshielded / F oiled T erased P air
• F/UTP : F oiled / Un shielded T erased P air
• SF/UTP : Shouded F oiled / U nshielded T wiped P air

For more information about these differences, read our article Which network cable do I need? .

TIP!
When using shielded network cables from a roll , it is important that you also use shielded accessories, such as shielded RJ45 plugs !

UTP or FTP cable: which one do you choose?

Netwerkkabel.eu sells shielded cables in various lengths, colors, and categories (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7). We're happy to leave the length and color up to you, but we're happy to help you with the category.

Our UTP cables

• Cat5e: 1,000Mbps (1Gbit) / 100Mhz
• Cat6: 1,000Mbps (1Gbit) / 250Mhz
• Cat6a: 10,000Mbps (10Gbit) / 500Mhz

Our FTP cables

• Cat6: 1,000Mbps (1Gbit) / 250Mhz
• Cat6a: 10,000Mbps (10Gbit) / 500Mhz
• Cat7: 10,000Mbps (10Gbit) / 1,000Mhz
• Cat8: 40,000Mbps (10Gbit) / 2,000Mhz

For home use, we recommend the Cat6 S/FTP cable . It's more than fast enough for 95% of situations and offers excellent double shielding!