easyMultiple Choice
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 there is high electromagnetic interference (EMI) from machinery. Which cable type should be used to minimize signal degradation?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between cable shielding (STP vs. UTP) and cable jacket rating (plenum vs. riser). The trap here is that candidates confuse plenum rating with EMI protection, assuming a fire-retardant jacket also blocks interference.
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
✓
Cat6a STP
Cat6a STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) is the correct choice because its individual pair shielding and overall braided shield provide robust protection against high electromagnetic interference (EMI) from warehouse machinery. The shielding effectively blocks external noise, preventing signal degradation and maintaining data integrity over longer distances, unlike unshielded cables.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cat5e UTP
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e UTP lacks the foil or braided shield that blocks electromagnetic interference, so machinery noise couples onto the twisted pairs and degrades the signal. It is tempting because Cat5e UTP is the standard, inexpensive choice for ordinary office drops with low EMI, where its 1 Gbps rating and unshielded construction perform perfectly well.
- ✓
Cat6a STP
Why this is correct
STP adds a foil or braided shield that drains induced EMI to ground, preventing machinery noise from corrupting the signal. Cat6a STP also sustains 10 Gbps over 100 metres, satisfying both the interference constraint and any bandwidth headroom the warehouse run needs.
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Coaxial cable
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial cable carries a single signal on a central conductor with a braided shield, but its shield is not the twisted-pair construction that cancels EMI through differential signalling, so induced noise is not balanced out. It suits broadband or CCTV runs, not structured cabling for a warehouse network drop.
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Plenum-rated cable
Why it's wrong here
Plenum-rated cable addresses fire safety, not EMI: its jacket limits toxic smoke when burning in air-handling spaces. Machinery interference couples onto the signal regardless of jacket rating, so shielding (STP/F/UTP) is required. Choose plenum cable when running through ceiling plenums where fire codes demand low-smoke jacketing.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Configuration: IP, DNS, DHCP
Key term
Shielded Twisted Pair
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) is a type of copper cabling that uses a metallic shield around twisted wire pairs to reduce electromagnetic interference and protect data signals.
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.
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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.