What is the typical construction and number of wires used in Ethernet cables?
Whether the conductor is solid or stranded, twisted pair Ethernet cables are constructed with 8-wires, assembled into 4-twisted pairs. Minimum Conductor sizes differ across Category cables with CAT5 having a minimum of 26 AWG; CAT5E 24 AWG; CAT6 23 AWG. The pairs are laid-up, in the case of a UTP cable directly under the outer jacket. In the case of FTP and SFTP the pairs are laid-up, the applicable shields are applied over the assembled pairs and an overall jacket applied. ProPlex PCCAT5P is a 4-twisted pair, 26 awg stranded, foil and braid shield cable. ProPlex PCCAT5EP is a 4-twisted pair, 24 awg stranded, foil and braid shield cable.