STP Patch cords have up to ______ more signal loss than solid AWG conductors.

STP Patch cords have up to ______ more signal loss than solid AWG conductors.

• A. 50%
• B. 10%
• C. 25%
• D. 75%

Answer: (A)

Shielded patch cords add loss beyond what a plain solid AWG conductor would show because the shield and extra jacket introduce additional parasitics and interfaces. The shield increases the overall impedance and capacitance seen by the signal, and the end connectors add small amounts of insertion loss. Together, these factors can raise attenuation enough that the patch cord ends up with noticeably more signal loss than a solid AWG conductor of the same gauge. In practical terms, that difference can be up to about 50% more loss, which is why the best answer is 50%.

Shielded patch cords add loss beyond what a plain solid AWG conductor would show because the shield and extra jacket introduce additional parasitics and interfaces. The shield increases the overall impedance and capacitance seen by the signal, and the end connectors add small amounts of insertion loss. Together, these factors can raise attenuation enough that the patch cord ends up with noticeably more signal loss than a solid AWG conductor of the same gauge. In practical terms, that difference can be up to about 50% more loss, which is why the best answer is 50%.