Telecommunications cable

{{Short description|Bundles of wires used for transmitting information}}

Telecommunications cable is a type of guided transmission medium. Telecommunications are based on transmitting and receiving modulated waves/signals through a medium. Types of telecommunications cable include:[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-1012/cable#109115.hook cable (electronics) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia][http://www.thefoa.org/splicebk.htm A Guide for Telecommunications Cable Splicing] electrical cables when electric current is carried; transmission lines and waveguides when electromagnetic waves are transmitted; optical fibers when light signals are transmitted.

When the distances involved are very short, the term signal cable may be used, for analog or digital communication. A data cable is used in digital data communications. Data cabling must conform to certain standards and best practices to ensure reliable performance and safety.{{cite web |title=Essential Guide to Data Cabling |url=https://network-data-cabling.co.uk/blog/essential-guide-to-data-cabling/ |website=network-data-cabling.co.uk |access-date=8 April 2025}} When the distance between the transmitter and receiver is very far, an unguided or wireless medium transmission may be used, based on antennas.

Examples include:

• Ethernet cables (Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6A)
• Token Ring cables (Cat 4)
• Coaxial cable mainly used for analog communication, sometimes used as a baseband digital data cable, such as in serial digital interface and thicknet and thinnet.
• Optical fiber cable
• Serial cable and parallel cable
• Cat2 or telephone cord
• USB cable