Domain 3 of 5 · Chapter 2 of 4

Cables and Connectors

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Included in this chapter:

  • Read a cable by connector, speed, and length
  • Video: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA
  • Peripheral and data: USB, Thunderbolt, Lightning
  • Storage connectors: SATA and eSATA
  • Power connectors: Molex and the AC cord
  • Network cabling: twisted-pair, coax, and fiber
  • How the exam frames cables and connectors

Video connectors compared

AttributeHDMIDisplayPortDVIVGA
SignalDigitalDigitalDigital, analog, or bothAnalog
Carries audioYesYesNoNo
Typical top resolution4K to 8K by version4K to 8K and above by versionUp to about 1920x1200 single link, higher dual linkAbout 1080p, degrades on long runs
Connector cueFlat 19-pin, keyedFlat, often latchingWide with pin grid and screw postsBlue 15-pin with screw posts
Common useTVs, consoles, most displaysPC monitors, multi-display, high refreshOlder PC monitors, transition eraLegacy projectors and monitors

Decision tree

Video signal? Yes No Digital display (audio, high refresh)? Network link? Yes No HDMI / DisplayPort VGA / DVI analog, legacy Yes No Network media: Fiber (LC/SC/ST) for distance RJ45 twisted-pair to 100 m coax RG-6 to a cable modem Internal drive? Yes No SATA (data + power) USB-C / Thunderbolt, USB-A
Cheat sheet

Cheat sheet

  • Identify a cable by its connector, then confirm speed and length
  • A connector shape does not promise a capability
  • HDMI is the video connector that also carries audio
  • Choose DisplayPort for high refresh rates and multi-monitor
  • VGA is the analog blue 15-pin connector, video only
  • Read a DVI plug by its variant: DVI-A, DVI-D, or DVI-I
  • A passive adapter only re-routes; digital-to-analog needs an active adapter
  • USB-A inserts one way; USB-C and Lightning are reversible
  • One USB-C cable can carry data, power, and video together
  • USB speed rides the version, not the connector shape
  • Thunderbolt 3 and 4 run 40 Gbps over the USB-C connector
  • Lightning is Apple's proprietary connector, not interchangeable with USB-C
  • A SATA drive needs two connectors: 7-pin data and 15-pin power
  • SATA revision sets the speed; the connector stays the same
  • eSATA is external SATA that carries data only, not power
  • RJ45 (8P8C) terminates Ethernet; RJ11 is the smaller phone connector
  • Cat 6 carries 10 Gbps only to 55 m; Cat 6a reaches the full 100 m
  • Cable in an air-handling space must be plenum-rated
  • Coax RG-6 with an F-type connector is the cable-internet drop
  • Single-mode fiber goes farther by laser; multimode is shorter by LED
  • Fiber ends in LC, SC, or ST connectors
  • Choose fiber for distance or heavy interference
  • Identify the drive and AC power connectors: SATA power, Molex, and the AC cord
  • HDMI comes in three sizes: Standard, Mini, and Micro

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References

  1. CompTIA A+ (Core 1 and Core 2) Certification