Hey everyone! I'm a remote tech and I've just started looking into STP cables. I've learned they're different from regular cables, but I'm curious, do they actually need to be grounded on one end to function properly? I stumbled upon a YouTube short about STP cables, but it seemed like no one in the comments really understood that regular home setups might not handle STP correctly. Am I overthinking this or expecting too much from others?
3 Answers
From what I've seen, grounding STP cables isn't typically necessary and can even cause problems if done incorrectly. It's useful in some cases, like draining RF interference over short distances, but grounding both ends can create ground loops. It’s best to only ground at one end. For long runs or between buildings, you might be better off with fiber. In my experience, using shielded cable helped protect my setup, but grounding wasn't the main point; the installation practices really matter.
Solid advice! I ran fiber after my own run of grounding issues—never looking back!
It’s really just shielded Cat5, Cat6, or Cat7, so they all connect the same with standard RJ45 connectors. Grounding isn’t a universal requirement just because it’s STP. In fact, many setups ignore grounding entirely and still work fine!
Interesting! So, is grounding really only required for industrial strength setups?
Yes, that’s right. You only need to worry about it in specific situations where interference is a major concern.
You’re right that grounding can complicate things. In industrial settings, grounding might be needed due to heavy machinery, but it’s not a must for everyday setups. Ethernet switches have grounding through their metal faces as long as they’re properly grounded to the rack. Most people don’t bother with that, though, which can lead to issues. But often, you won’t notice a major difference if everything else is up to snuff.
Exactly! It’s more about the whole system working together than any single cable.
So, if I understand correctly, as long as the switch is grounded properly, the STP cable doesn’t necessarily need its own grounding?
Thanks for the insight! It's great to hear from someone who's actually worked with this stuff.