How many pairs of wires are used in a 10GBASE-T cable?

In a 10GBASE-T cable, four pairs of wires are utilized, which is essential for achieving the high-speed data transmission required for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Each pair of wires is responsible for sending and receiving data, enabling the use of all available conductors for increased data throughput and maintaining proper signal integrity.

The design of 10GBASE-T technology is based on the ability to use these four pairs to transmit data in both directions simultaneously, utilizing techniques such as echo cancellation and advanced signal processing. This allows 10GBASE-T to achieve its high data rates over standard twisted-pair cabling, specifically Category 6a or higher.

Other options, such as two pairs, six pairs, or eight pairs, do not align with the specifications of 10GBASE-T. The use of four pairs is a standardized feature that defines the performance and capabilities of this Ethernet standard.