- A
UTP Cat6 cable.
Why wrong: UTP lacks shielding, making it susceptible to EMI from high-voltage machinery.
- B
STP Cat6a cable.
STP provides shielding against EMI, making it ideal for environments with electrical interference.
- C
Coaxial RG-6 cable.
Why wrong: Coaxial is used for video or broadband, not standard Ethernet networking.
- D
Fiber optic cable.
Why wrong: Fiber is immune to EMI but is overkill and more expensive for a 60-meter run; STP is sufficient.
Question 462 of 1,020
Which Cable to Use Near High-Voltage Machinery?
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Quick Answer
The answer is STP Cat6a cable, as it is specifically designed to minimize interference in high-EMI environments like a warehouse near high-voltage machinery. Shielded twisted pair (STP) cabling incorporates a conductive foil or braided shield around the twisted wire pairs, which blocks electromagnetic interference from external sources, while the Cat6a rating supports reliable 10-gigabit data transmission over the full 60-meter run. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cable types and their shielding properties, often appearing as a straightforward choice between UTP (unshielded) and STP in industrial settings. A common trap is selecting UTP Cat6a because it also handles 60 meters, but without shielding it remains vulnerable to EMI from nearby machinery. Remember the mnemonic: “Shielded for the Shielded—STP stops the spark.”
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
UTP lacks shielding, making it susceptible to EMI from high-voltage machinery.
- ✓
STP Cat6a cable.
Why this is correct
STP provides shielding against EMI, making it ideal for environments with electrical interference.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Coaxial RG-6 cable.
Why it's wrong here
Coaxial is used for video or broadband, not standard Ethernet networking.
- ✗
Fiber optic cable.
Why it's wrong here
Fiber is immune to EMI but is overkill and more expensive for a 60-meter run; STP is sufficient.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
STP Cat6a uses a foil or braided shield around each twisted pair and an overall shield, which must be properly grounded at both ends to drain induced currents. In real-world warehouse deployments, improper grounding can turn the shield into an antenna, actually increasing EMI susceptibility—so termination and bonding to a common ground are critical. The 100-meter limit for Cat6a is defined by IEEE 802.3an for 10GBASE-T, but signal integrity degrades faster in high-EMI environments, so keeping runs under 60 meters provides additional margin.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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