mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is installing a new network drop in…
A technician is installing a new network drop in a warehouse where the cable must run near high-voltage machinery. The run is 60 meters. Which type of cable should be used to minimize interference?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common pitfall in CompTIA A+ exams is assuming that UTP is always sufficient for Ethernet, but in high-EMI environments like near machinery, shielded cabling (STP) is required. Fiber is also immune but more expensive and harder to terminate, so STP is the best practical choice.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
STP Cat6a cable.
STP Cat6a cable includes a conductive shield that protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby high-voltage machinery. The 60-meter run is well within Cat6a's 100-meter maximum segment length, making it the best choice for this environment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
UTP Cat6 cable.
Why it's wrong here
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cat6 cable is unsuitable for environments with significant electromagnetic interference (EMI), such as near high-voltage machinery or fluorescent lighting. Its lack of metallic shielding makes it highly susceptible to external electrical noise, which can degrade signal quality, cause data errors, and reduce network performance. While Cat6 supports Gigabit Ethernet, its vulnerability to EMI makes it an unreliable choice for a new network drop where interference is a concern.
- ✓
STP Cat6a cable.
Why this is correct
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cat6a cable is the optimal choice for a new network drop in environments prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The metallic foil or braid shielding within STP cables effectively blocks external electrical noise, preventing signal degradation and ensuring reliable data transmission. Furthermore, Cat6a supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet over longer distances (up to 100 meters), providing superior performance and future-proofing compared to standard Cat6, making it ideal for demanding installations.
- ✗
Coaxial RG-6 cable.
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial RG-6 cable is primarily designed for transmitting high-frequency signals over long distances, commonly utilized in cable television (CATV), satellite systems, and broadband internet connections. It is not compatible with standard Ethernet networking equipment, which requires twisted-pair cabling for data transmission. Implementing RG-6 for a network drop would necessitate specialized transceivers or converters, making it an impractical and non-standard solution for typical local area network (LAN) installations.
- ✗
Fiber optic cable.
Why it's wrong here
While fiber optic cable offers complete immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and supports extremely high bandwidth over very long distances, it is generally considered overkill and significantly more expensive for a typical network drop, especially for runs under 100 meters. The installation of fiber optic cabling requires specialized tools, connectors, and expertise, increasing both material and labor costs. For a 60-meter run where EMI is a concern, STP Cat6a provides sufficient protection and performance at a much more economical price point.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Shield
A shield in IT networking is a conductive layer around a cable or device that blocks electromagnetic interference to protect signal integrity.
Key term
Segment
A segment is a division of a larger network, such as a collision domain, broadcast domain, or a portion of a TCP data stream, used to organize traffic and improve performance.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.