ExamFinch.com My Study

Study guide

Cables & Connectors

Practice this exam

CompTIA A+ 220-1201 & 220-1202

Track your progress as you read

Finished sections get a check mark.

1 Introduction & Exam Overview

About the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Domains & Study Strategy

2 Core 1 Domain 1: Mobile Devices (13%)

Laptop Hardware & Components Laptop Features & Display Types Mobile Device Connectivity & Accessories Mobile Operating System Features Mobile Device Synchronization & Data Transfer

3 Core 1 Domain 2: Networking (23%)

TCP/IP Fundamentals & the OSI Model Common Ports & Protocols Wireless Networking Standards Network Hardware & Devices Network Configuration & Internet Connections Network Types & Topologies

4 Core 1 Domain 3: Hardware (25%)

Cables & Connectors RAM Types & Storage Devices Motherboards, CPUs & Power Supplies Printers & Multifunction Devices Peripheral Devices & Expansion Cards Network Cable Tools & Testing

5 Core 1 Domain 4: Virtualization & Cloud Computing (11%)

Virtualization Concepts Cloud Computing Models & Services Client-Side Virtualization in Practice

6 Core 1 Domain 5: Hardware & Network Troubleshooting (28%)

CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology Hardware Troubleshooting Network Troubleshooting Printer Troubleshooting Display & Mobile Device Troubleshooting

7 Core 2 Domain 1: Operating Systems (28%)

Windows Editions & Features Windows Administrative Tools & Utilities Windows Command Line & PowerShell macOS & Linux Basics Windows Networking & File Sharing Windows Installation & Upgrade Methods

8 Core 2 Domain 2: Security (28%)

Physical & Logical Security Measures Malware Types & Threat Mitigation Wireless & Network Security Encryption & Data Protection

9 Core 2 Domain 3: Software Troubleshooting (23%)

Windows OS Troubleshooting Mobile OS & Application Troubleshooting Browser & Application Troubleshooting

10 Core 2 Domain 4: Operational Procedures (21%)

Documentation & Change Management Backup & Recovery Methods Safety & Environmental Procedures Scripting & Remote Access Technologies Privacy, Licensing & Organizational Policies

Cables & Connectors

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Cat 5e supports Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) up to 100 meters, Cat 6 supports 10 Gbps up to 55 meters, and Cat 6a supports 10 Gbps up to the full 100 meters.

Fiber optic cables come in single-mode (long distance, up to 100+ km, yellow jacket) and multimode (shorter distance, up to 2 km, orange/aqua jacket).

Straight-through Ethernet cables connect different device types (PC to switch), while crossover cables connect same types (PC to PC); modern Auto-MDI-X devices erase the distinction.

Coaxial cable types include RG-6 (cable TV/internet, 75 ohm) and RG-59 (short runs, legacy CCTV); both use F-type connectors.

DisplayPort supports daisy-chaining multiple monitors via Multi-Stream Transport, while HDMI does not — a key differentiator for multi-monitor setups.

Last updated: October 2026

Network Cables (Copper)

Domain 3 (Hardware) is 25% of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) exam, and cable types and connectors are a named objective (3.2). Memorize the speed/distance ceilings exactly.

Ethernet Cable Categories

  • Category Max Speed Max Distance (Full Speed) Shielding Common Use
  • Cat 5 100 Mbps 100m Unshielded (UTP) Legacy — avoid for new installs
  • Cat 5e 1 Gbps 100m UTP Most common existing cabling
  • Cat 6 10 Gbps 55m (1 Gbps at 100m) UTP or STP New office installs
  • Cat 6a 10 Gbps 100m STP (Shielded) Data centers, high-performance
  • Cat 7 10 Gbps 100m Fully shielded (S/FTP) Industrial, data center
  • Cat 8 25/40 Gbps 30m Fully shielded (S/FTP) Server-to-switch short runs

Exam Tip: The maximum distance for copper Ethernet is 100 meters (328 feet) — except Cat 8, which drops to 30m to hit 40 Gbps. Beyond the limit you need a switch, repeater, or fiber. A frequent trap: Cat 6 at 10 Gbps is only 55m, NOT 100m.

Ethernet Cable Types

  • Cable Type Wiring Use Case
  • Straight-through T-568B on both ends PC↔switch, PC↔router, router↔switch
  • Crossover T-568A one end, T-568B other PC↔PC, switch↔switch (legacy gear)
  • Rollover (Console) Reversed pin-out PC serial port to router/switch console
  • Plenum Fire-rated jacket (FEP) Air-handling spaces above ceilings (required by code)

Note: Most modern devices support Auto-MDI-X , which auto-detects cable type, so crossover cables are rarely needed. RJ-45 is the 8-pin Ethernet connector; RJ-11 is the smaller 6-position telephone connector — do not confuse them on a PBQ.

Fiber Optic Cables

  • Type Core Diameter Wavelength Max Distance Jacket Color Use Case
  • Single-Mode (SMF) 8–10 μm 1310/1550 nm 100+ km Yellow WAN, long-haul, telco
  • Multimode (MMF) 50/62.5 μm 850/1300 nm up to 2 km Orange / Aqua LAN, campus, data center

Fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and supports far greater distances than copper, which is why it is mandatory for backbone and inter-building runs.

Fiber Connectors

  • Connector Description Memory Aid
  • SC Square push-pull, snap-in S quare C onnector
  • LC Small latching, dominant today L ittle C onnector
  • ST Round bayonet twist-lock S traight T ip
  • MTRJ Tiny dual-fiber, both strands in one body Multi-fiber Termination
  • Coaxial Cable
  • Type Impedance Use Case
  • RG-6 75 ohm Cable TV, cable internet, satellite
  • RG-59 75 ohm Short runs, legacy CCTV, patch

Coax uses an F-type screw-on connector for TV/internet and a BNC bayonet connector for some video/CCTV. RG-6 has thicker conductor and better shielding than RG-59, so it carries high-frequency signals farther — choose RG-6 for a modem feed.

Video Cables & Connectors

  • Connector Type Max Resolution Audio Notes
  • HDMI Digital 8K@60Hz (HDMI 2.1) Yes Consumer standard; TVs, consoles
  • DisplayPort Digital 8K@60Hz (DP 2.0) Yes Monitor standard; daisy-chains (MST)
  • USB-C (Alt Mode) Digital 8K@60Hz Yes Tunnels DisplayPort/HDMI over USB-C
  • DVI-D Digital 2560x1600 (Dual-Link) No Legacy digital only
  • DVI-I Digital + Analog 2560x1600 (Dual-Link) No Accepts passive VGA adapter
  • VGA (DE-15) Analog 2048x1536 No Legacy; blue 15-pin connector
  • HDMI vs. DisplayPort (high-yield comparison)
  • Feature HDMI DisplayPort
  • Primary market TVs, consoles, home theater Computer monitors
  • Daisy-chaining No Yes (MST — Multi-Stream Transport)
  • Passive cable length up to 15m up to 3m (longer with active)
  • Locking Friction fit Latching clip on most plugs
  • Licensing Royalty payment required Royalty-free

Scenario: A user wants three daisy-chained monitors from one port. The correct answer is DisplayPort with MST , not HDMI. HDMI requires one cable per display or an MST hub.

USB Connectors

  • Type Shape Notes
  • USB-A Flat rectangle Most common host port
  • USB-B Square Printers, scanners
  • Mini-USB Small trapezoid Legacy cameras
  • Micro-USB Small flat Legacy phones
  • USB-C Oval, reversible Modern universal, up to 40 Gbps (USB4)
  • Lightning Apple proprietary 8-pin Older iPhones/iPads (pre-USB-C)
  • USB Speed Standards
  • Standard Marketing Name Max Speed Connector
  • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed 480 Mbps A, B, Mini, Micro
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1 SuperSpeed 5 Gbps A (blue), C
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 SuperSpeed+ 10 Gbps A, C
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SuperSpeed 20Gbps 20 Gbps C only
  • USB4 / Thunderbolt 3/4 USB4 40 Gbps C only

Exam Tip: USB 3.x USB-A ports are color-coded blue (and the connector tongue is blue). Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use the USB-C connector and add a lightning-bolt icon; they carry 40 Gbps plus DisplayPort and PCIe, so a single port can drive displays, storage, and an external GPU. A common trap: a USB-C port is not automatically Thunderbolt — check for the bolt icon.