Telephone cable is a type of low-frequency, balanced cable used in local telephone networks. The cable is made of two or more twisted pairs of copper wires. The cable is often hermetically sealed. Its outer diameter is usually not more than 75 mm. This type of cable is also used in Ethernet networks.
The cable's thickness is determined by its mutual capacitance and the electrical needs for the phone line. It is not rated for a specific voltage. One of the exceptions to this rule is the Superior Essex Outside plant (OSP) copper cable. This copper cable has a working voltage of 300 volts.
There are many different types of telephone cables. Some are flat and connect phones to the wall, while others use a coil. The RJ11/RJ12 connector is the most common. Coiled telephone cables connect the phone to the receiver and are shorter than RJ11/RJ12 cables. There are also smaller telephone cables, called "internal" cables, which are used only in the interior of a home. They are convenient to install, and are easy to route.
While twisted pair cables were widely used for years, fiber optic cables are the future. They can provide the bandwidth that is needed in the communications industry.
