Sheath Types

Cable sheaths are classified as follows, with a general progression towards more comprehensively shielded cables:

• U/UTP. Unshielded cable.
• F/UTP. Shielded. Overall foil, but the pairs are not screened.
• U/FTP. Shielded. No overall screen, but the pairs are individually screened.
• F/FTP. Shielded. There is an overall foil and the pairs are individually screened.
• S/FTP. Shielded. There is an overall copper braid and the pairs are individually screened.
• S/STP. Shielded. There is an overall copper braid and the pairs are individually braided.

As a final note, most data cables are not designed to get wet and to maintain warrantees should be replaced in the event of significant exposure to water. For external use an external data cable should be used.