Types Of Computer Cables
What are the different types of computer cables? Computer system is made of various types of cables which perform various functions. Some of these cables have been modified over a period of time to remain relevant to the technology advancement. The knowledge of a good computer cable is very important in making various decisions especially when purchasing or connecting any computer system. There is quite a variety of foreign jargon used to describe various types of computer cables.
Video Graphics Array (VGA)
These types of computer cables are unique in such a way that they have 15 pins with three rows each having five pins each. These three rows corresponds to three primary colours; red, green and yellow. With the advancement in technology and the wide use of digital signal transmission, these cables are rarely used in modern computer systems.
Digital Visual Interference (DVI)
There are quite a number of DVI cables with the type of signal being a priority. Depending on the nature of signal being transmitted, one can choose from either D, A or I type of DVI cables. The DVI A is used while transmitting analogue signals. They can be used with Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) and the Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). On the other hand, the DVI D is used with the digital signals while the DVI I is used both for the digital and analogue signals.
Other types of computer cables are the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
These cables are known for their high efficiency in signal transmission. They are mostly used in modern devices. These types of computer cables also come in variety of sizes to satisfy various market demands. Amongst the available types of cables include the A, B, C and D types. Both type C and D has 19 pins while type A has 19 pins with type B being the
largest with 29 pins.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the most commonly used types of computer cables. Depending on the rate at which data can be sent o4r retrieved from the device, they can be classified into USB 1.0/ 1.1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. They are widely used in most computer peripherals such as the key board, mouse etc. Since they were introduced, there has been a steady improvement in their efficiency the 1.0 series to 3.0 series. Modern computers come with the USB 3.0 since it can support up to a speed of 4.8Gbs. The 1.0 and the 2.0 can support up to a speed of 12Mbps and 480 Mbps respectively.
A c loosely related types of computer cables are the fire wire. They serve the same purpose exactly as the USB cables. They are major used for peripherals with higher band width and therefore not widely used. They exist in two forms which are the 1394a which can support up to a speed of 400Mbps and the 1394b which can support up to a speed of 800Mbps.
Other very important types of computer cables are the Integrated Drive Electronic (IDE), the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) and the External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA). They are used for storage devices such as the computer hard disks. IDE types of computer cables have 40 pins with its form factor consisting of 44 pins while the SATA types of computer cables mostly have 8 pins with higher speeds being one of its distinguishing factors.
With the advancement in technology, the SATA cables have been improved on and hence the External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment cables. This cable allows for connection of both an external hard drive. These cables are characterized with high data transfer speeds.
The Ethernet types of computer cables are important when it comes to computer networking. They are used to set up Local Area Network (LAN) or in connecting routers to computer systems. They come in three forms; the cat 5 which has a data transfer speed of 10Mbps to 100Mbps, the cat 5e which has a data transfer speed of 1000Mbps and the cat 6 which has a data transfer speed of 10Gbs.
Since technology keeps on improving each and every time, more efficient types of computer cables are soon going to be available for computer users. These are just a few although they form the basis for all types of computer cables.
