Shielded vs. Unshielded Cat5e Cable: Which Should You Choose?

Whether you are laying down the networking infrastructure of your office or setting up Internet connectivity for your home, choosing the right ethernet cable is critical to the success of the application. Otherwise, you can easily run into frustrating issues such as limited or minimal to no connectivity.

The foremost differentiating factor is the cable’s speed. But that is relatively easy to determine based upon your Internet service provider (ISP) and your overall needs. With a quick look at related statistics, you can know exactly which category of ethernet cable is right for you.

As a result, most office and home users choose a Cat5e cable for their needs. But the tricky part comes in when you have to choose between shielded and unshielded variants of this cable. Since the information is not as widespread, it is common for this requirement to throw you into a wave of confusion.

With that being said, having key details at hand allows you to make an informed decision in quite a straightforward manner. To help you with this process, here’s a lowdown on shielded vs. unshielded Cat5e cables.

What Is A Cat5e Shielded & Unshielded Cable?

Cat5 cables come with 8 wires, which are twisted into pairs. These four pairs are then coated in blue and blue/white, brown and brown/white, green and green/white, and orange and orange/white coating. An extra cable coating goes on top and makes the cable fit for use in many scenarios.

The shielded and unshielded Ethernet cables classification defines whether these wires are coated or wrapped with additional layers. The shielding method is mainly used to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) that could affect the cable’s data transfer capabilities.

There are many types of shielded and unshielded cables available in the market. But for both categories, a specific kind or subcategory holds immense popularity.

For shielded cables, this distinction goes to shielded twisted pair (STP) cables. For unshielded cables, this specification is held by unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables.

What Is A Shielded Or STP Cable?

In an STP cable, the braided or twisted internal wires are wrapped within an additional shield of a thin foil. This foil is then placed between the twisted wires and the cable’s external coating.

This sturdy construction gives a shielded cable more protection from EMI and RFI than what the twisted pairs alone bring to the table. But it also makes it more expensive and trickier to install than unshielded cables.

What Is An Unshielded Cable?

In contrast, the twisted wire pairs in an unshielded Cat5e cable are void of a shielded layer on top. Instead, the cable relies on its twisted wire construction and regular coatings to avoid EMI and RFI from affecting its signals.

But this lack of additional protection actually makes the cable more flexible, lighter, cheaper, and easier to install than shielded cables. This makes it a viable option for many people.

What Are The Ideal Applications For Shielded & Unshielded Cables?

Due to the widespread usage of electronics and related devices and technology, EMI and RFI frequencies are available all around us. But their intensity is higher in specific settings.

If you use an unshielded cable in a place with high EMI and RFI, the signals can interfere with the cable’s data distribution capabilities. On the other hand, if you choose a shielded cable in a setting where EMI and RFI is low, you might be paying an additional price for no good reason.

That is why it is suggested that you choose your cable according to your surroundings, needs, and budget. This makes sure that the cable you end up installing at your property performs according to your expectations.

Possible Applications For A Shielded Ethernet Cable

An STP cable is purposefully made to perform in settings where EMI and RFI are high. The additional foil coating in the Cat5e cable can keep interference at bay and allow the cable to transfer data without losing speed or connectivity.

This makes it ideal for places and equipment including but not limited to:

• Radio stations and communication equipment.
• Airports and aerospace equipment.
• Security centers and security equipment.
• Main points of connectivity with multiple other wires or cables present.

Many other areas with high EMI and RFI can also benefit from the features of an STP cable.

Possible Applications For An Unshielded Ethernet Cable

A UTP cable holds the basic protection of Cat5 against external signals and frequencies. This quality comes through its twisted pair structure and maintains its own in many settings where EMI or RFI is present in moderate frequencies.

This makes this type of cable fit for almost all residential and office settings. Since most of these places steer clear of high external frequencies, this lets the ethernet cable perform its functions without any issues.

However, you should keep in mind that unshielded cables are not ideal for residential or commercial areas where the cable may run through outdoor settings. If these places have high EMI or RFI, your cable’s performance could be affected.

Your Budget Is A Deciding Factor

An STP cable costs more than a UTP cable. This is especially true for buildings or settings where a more considerable length of the Cat5e cable is required to set up the networking infrastructure.

Due to this reason, you must consider how much budget you have for the installation and whether upgrading to a shielded cable will bring any significant benefits to the table.

It’s because even when you spend some extra funds to get the additional protection of a shielded cable, it may not really provide you with any astounding advantage if your setting doesn’t have the risk of high EMI or RFI. Keeping this in mind, make sure that you assess your budget as well as associated factors.

How Should You Make The Decision?

For most residential and office settings, a UTP cable can perform according to your expectations. This means that you can get an unshielded cable without any worries. With that being said, if you think that the cable will run through any sites that are high in EMI or RFI, it’s better to consult with an expert before the installation.

On the other hand, in settings where high EMI or RFI is present, you should always go with an STP cable. This ensures that you can steer clear of any possible issues that could stem from external interference.