What characterizes Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables?

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables are characterized by their use of shielding to protect the data transmitted within them. The shielding serves as a barrier against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), which can compromise the quality of the signal.

In STP cables, the shielding often consists of a foil or braided metal layer that surrounds the twisted pairs of wires. This design helps reduce crosstalk between wires within the cable and between adjacent cables. The requirement for grounding is critical because it provides a path for any induced current from interference to dissipate safely into the ground. This grounding connection enhances the performance and reliability of the cable in environments with a high potential for interference.

This grounding requirement distinguishes STP cables from unshielded variants, which do not possess the same level of protection from external sources of interference. The other answer choices do not accurately reflect the characteristics of STP cables: they are insulated, they consist of twisted pairs rather than a single wire, and they are specifically designed to resist interference rather than being more prone to it.