In a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T connection, which two pin pairs are utilized?

In 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T Ethernet connections, the standards specifically dictate the use of certain pin pairs in an Ethernet cable for transmitting and receiving data. Both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T use the same wiring scheme, which relies on the first and second pairs of the cable.

In a typical RJ-45 connector used for Ethernet connections, the pairs are arranged as follows:

• Pair 1 consists of pins 1 and 2 (often used for transmitting data).

• Pair 2 consists of pins 3 and 6 (used for receiving data).

Thus, the correct answer indicates that these specific pairs, 1-2 for transmission and 3-6 for reception, are employed in both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T connections. This configuration is part of the twisted pair standard that helps reduce interference and ensures effective data transmission.

Understanding which pairs are used is crucial when installing and troubleshooting Ethernet cabling, as using the wrong pairs could result in connectivity issues. The other options do not accurately reflect the standard pin configurations for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T, which is why they are not the correct choices.