Telephone cables have been around for quite some time. As the name implies, they were initially used to hook up phones to a hardline connection. Since then, they have grown to be used for a litany of other things.
In the guide below, we will take a closer look at what they are, how they work, and the various uses they still have. By the end, you will no doubt have a greater appreciation for what they can do.
What is a Telephone Cable?
First and foremost, “What is a telephone cable?” They have uses in both business and home settings, but what are they in the first place? Telephone cables are used to connect circuits within a system. They were traditionally used for landline telephones but are also prominent for telecommunications networks.
Telephone cables use conductive materials, typically copper wiring, to transmit data over an electromagnetic signal. These cables have an outer insulation that is generally made of either polyethylene (PE) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These cables operate under 300 kilohertz, making them low-frequency in nature.
The Various Uses of Telephone Cables
Telephone cables aren’t all that complicated, serving two major uses. While it might seem like they are only good for working with telephones, they have other key uses.
Wired Networking. Wireless technology is quite prevalent and generally preferred for flexibility purposes. That said, wired networking still has a prominent place, especially where Wi-Fi signal is poor or in office environments where spotty connections are not acceptable.
Phone cables allow for high-speed data connections between a network of computers. These are generally modified cables that have an RJ45 high-capacity connector. These cables create a local area network (LAN) and can even hook up to standard wall phone jacks.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). DSL hookups are used for transmitting data over telephone lines. It can be delivered alongside a standard landline phone since DSL operates at a much higher frequency. In addition to DSL, there is also ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber line) which has a slower upload speed than download speed. ADSL is generally provided for domestic and business customers.
Telephone Cable Types
Generally speaking, there are three types of cable to be aware of: internal, external, and a combination of both. Cabling that has been designed for external use is typically a lot thicker and designed to be able to hold up against outdoor conditions. Internal cabling is lighter and more flexible. A combination is highly versatile (and more expensive), being able to be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes.
Flat vs. Coiled. Flat cords connect telephones to wall sockets. Coiled cables are generally used to connect a receiver to a landline handset. Coiled cables have a separate connector, something along the lines of RJ9 or RJ22.
Straight vs. Reverse. Straight cords are used for data transfers while reverse cords are meant for voice services. Straight cords have a duplicated arrangement of wires to pin connectors on both sides of the cable. Reverse cables have mirrored connections.
What are Pairs Relating to Telephone Cables?
When talking about telephone cables, you are probably going to hear about “pairs” in some form. Each conductor within this type of cable gets twisted together with another color-coded, insulated unit. They get grouped together with other pairs in a process known as stranding.
There are two- and four-pair cables that are straightforward. There are then three- and six-pairs clustered with connectors. The goal of pairing is to reduce interference and induction between each of the individual conductors. Telephone sockets are simple while communications equipment can require a few different connections.