What does UTP stand for?

UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair, which is a type of copper cabling commonly used in networking and telecommunications. This cable consists of pairs of wires that are twisted together, which helps reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk from adjacent pairs. The "unshielded" part of the name indicates that the cables do not have additional shielding around the twisted pairs, which makes them more cost-effective and easier to install but also more susceptible to interference compared to shielded cables.

In networking, UTP is widely used for Ethernet connections and is the standard for many local area networks (LANs). Its design allows it to support various data rates and distances, making it a versatile choice for different networking applications. The twisting of the wires within the cable mitigates the negative effects of interference, which is crucial for maintaining signal integrity in data transmission.