Cat 3 F/UTP Cable for Shielded Multipair Data and Telephone Networks

Cat 3 F/UTP Cable provides foil-screened multipair copper connectivity for telephone systems, switchboards, subscriber distribution, legacy data networks and low-frequency communication infrastructure. ETK Kablo manufactures Cat 3 F/UTP cables with 24 AWG solid copper conductors, an overall foil screen and PVC, LSOH or PE outer jackets in constructions ranging from 2 pairs to 100 pairs.

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP range uses 0.51 mm solid copper conductors with solid polyethylene insulation. The twisted pairs form a multipair cable core, while polyester tape, an overall Al/PET foil and a tinned copper earthing wire create the screening system. ETK Kablo publishes Category 3 transmission characteristics through 16 MHz.

F/UTP means that one overall foil surrounds the complete multipair cable core while the individual twisted pairs remain unshielded. This construction adds electromagnetic screening compared with Cat 3 U/UTP without changing the underlying Category 3 frequency range or legacy communication role.

What Is Cat 3 F/UTP Cable?

Cat 3 F/UTP is a foil-screened balanced multipair copper cable designed for Category 3 voice and legacy data applications.

The designation means:

• Cat 3 – Category 3 transmission performance
• F – one overall foil screen around the complete cable core
• UTP – individually unshielded twisted pairs

The foil therefore surrounds all pairs together. It does not wrap each twisted pair individually.

This distinction is important because F/UTP should not be confused with U/FTP or F/FTP architectures used in higher-category Ethernet systems.

ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP Cable Range

Product	Outer Jacket	Main Selection Direction
Cat 3 F/UTP PVC	PVC	General fixed indoor communication installations where PVC is permitted
Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH	Halogen-free / low-smoke material	Projects requiring defined smoke and halogen characteristics
Cat 3 F/UTP PE	Polyethylene	Outdoor-oriented communication routes

All three products share the same basic Category 3 F/UTP electrical architecture. The primary difference is the outer-jacket material.

Cat 3 F/UTP Cable Construction

Component	Current ETK Kablo Construction
Conductor	Electrolytic solid copper
Conductor Diameter	0.51 mm
Conductor Size	24 AWG
Insulation	Solid polyethylene
Pair Construction	Twisted pairs in multipair configuration
Wrapping	Polyester tape
Overall Screen	Al/PET foil
Earthing Wire	Tinned copper
Individual Pair Screens	None
Outer Jacket	PVC, LSOH or PE according to product

How Cat 3 F/UTP Foil Screening Works

The current Cat 3 F/UTP construction places an Al/PET foil around the complete multipair cable core.

This metallic layer helps reduce electromagnetic coupling between the communication pairs and surrounding electrical equipment.

The foil surrounds all twisted pairs together. The individual pairs remain electrically unshielded.

Pair twisting still supports balanced signal transmission, while the overall foil adds an additional electromagnetic barrier around the complete bundle.

Tinned Copper Earthing Wire

ETK Kablo includes a tinned copper earthing wire together with the overall Al/PET foil.

The earthing wire supports electrical continuity and practical termination of the screen.

Screen effectiveness also depends on connectors, bonding, termination and installation practices. A foil-screened cable therefore performs as part of a complete screened communication system rather than as an isolated component.

24 AWG Solid Copper Cat 3 F/UTP Cable

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP products use 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors.

Solid copper provides predictable conductor resistance and stable electrical characteristics for fixed communication infrastructure.

The current documentation publishes a maximum conductor resistance of 94 Ω/km at 20°C.

Professional buyers should distinguish solid-copper communication cable from copper-clad alternatives where electrical performance and project specifications are important.

Cat 3 F/UTP Is a Multipair Cable Family

Cat 3 F/UTP differs substantially from modern four-pair Ethernet cable families because ETK Kablo offers it in many pair counts.

The current range includes:

• 2 pairs
• 3 pairs
• 4 pairs
• 6 pairs
• 8 pairs
• 10 pairs
• 12 pairs
• 16 pairs
• 20 pairs
• 24 pairs
• 25 pairs
• 30 pairs
• 32 pairs
• 48 pairs
• 50 pairs
• 64 pairs
• 75 pairs
• 100 pairs

This broad range makes Cat 3 F/UTP relevant where one shielded cable must carry many telephone, signal or legacy communication circuits.

How High-Pair-Count Cat 3 F/UTP Cable Is Stranded

ETK Kablo strands lower pair-count constructions in layers up to 10 pairs.

For larger cables, constructions from 20 to 100 pairs use groups of 10 pairs. Polypropylene identification tape identifies these groups before polyester wrapping and overall foil screening.

This grouped architecture supports circuit identification during installation, termination and maintenance of large multipair communication systems.

16 MHz Cat 3 F/UTP Performance

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP technical documentation publishes transmission data through 16 MHz.

The performance tables include measurements at frequencies such as:

• 0.772 MHz
• 1 MHz
• 4 MHz
• 8 MHz
• 10 MHz
• 16 MHz

Published transmission parameters include insertion loss, near-end crosstalk, return loss, structural return loss and propagation delay.

The overall foil screen does not create a higher Ethernet category. It adds electromagnetic screening around a Category 3 multipair core.

Cat 3 F/UTP for 10BASE-T

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP documentation lists 10BASE-T according to IEEE 802.3 among the supported legacy applications.

10BASE-T operates at 10 Mbps and belongs to an earlier generation of twisted-pair Ethernet infrastructure.

Cat 3 F/UTP can therefore remain relevant when maintaining or replacing legacy network systems that specifically require Category 3 cabling.

New modern LAN installations should generally evaluate Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 6A according to the required network performance.

Cat 3 F/UTP for Telephone Systems

Telephone infrastructure is one of the main natural applications for multipair Category 3 cable.

The current range can carry many balanced communication circuits within one common screened cable.

Typical uses can include:

• Telephone switchboards
• PBX infrastructure
• Subscriber distribution
• Internal communication systems
• Legacy voice networks
• Low-frequency signal transmission

The overall foil can provide additional electromagnetic protection where the communication route passes through electrically active areas.

Cat 3 F/UTP for PBX Systems

Private Branch Exchange systems can require many copper pairs between distribution frames, equipment and subscriber circuits.

Cat 3 F/UTP offers multiple twisted pairs inside one overall foil-screened cable construction.

The required pair count should follow the active circuits, spare-pair requirement and distribution topology of the installation.

Cat 3 F/UTP for Subscriber Distribution

High-pair-count constructions can distribute many individual circuits from one central point.

The grouped stranding used in larger ETK Kablo constructions helps installers identify pair groups during termination and maintenance.

Projects should specify the required pair count, jacket material, screening requirement and installation environment during quotation.

Cat 3 F/UTP in Electrically Active Environments

The overall foil can make F/UTP relevant where telephone or low-frequency communication circuits operate near electrical equipment that can create electromagnetic interference.

However, screening should form part of the complete installation design. Cable separation, routing, screen termination and bonding remain important.

F/UTP should not be interpreted as permission to ignore applicable separation requirements from power cabling.

Cat 3 F/UTP vs Cat 3 U/UTP

Feature	Cat 3 U/UTP	Cat 3 F/UTP
Overall Metallic Screen	No	Al/PET foil
Individual Pair Screens	No	No
Earthing Wire	No data screen to terminate	Tinned copper
Transmission Range	Up to 16 MHz	Up to 16 MHz
Current Conductor	0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper	0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper
Main Difference	Unshielded architecture	Overall foil-screened architecture

Both families address Category 3 communication systems. F/UTP adds overall electromagnetic screening, while U/UTP remains completely unshielded.

F/UTP Is Not the Same as U/FTP

F/UTP and U/FTP use foil in different locations.

F/UTP places one foil around the complete cable core while the individual pairs remain unshielded.

U/FTP places a separate foil around each individual twisted pair and has no common overall screen.

ETK Kablo's Cat 3 family uses F/UTP rather than U/FTP.

F/UTP Is Not the Same as F/FTP

F/FTP uses both an overall foil and individual foil screens around each twisted pair.

Cat 3 F/UTP uses only the common overall foil. The individual pairs remain unshielded.

Procurement documents should therefore use the complete screening notation instead of relying only on the generic term FTP.

Cat 3 F/UTP vs Cat 5e F/UTP

Characteristic	Cat 3 F/UTP	Cat 5e F/UTP
Frequency Range	Up to 16 MHz	Up to 100 MHz
Primary Positioning	Telephone and legacy data	Gigabit Ethernet
Pair Architecture	Multipair, 2–100 pairs	Four twisted pairs
Current ETK Conductor Diameter	0.51 mm	0.51 mm
Overall Foil	Yes	Yes

Although both families use an overall foil and 0.51 mm solid copper conductors, they serve different network requirements.

Cat 5e F/UTP is the appropriate family for modern Gigabit Ethernet. Cat 3 F/UTP remains focused on telephone and legacy communication infrastructure.

Cat 3 F/UTP vs Cat 6 F/UTP

Characteristic	Cat 3 F/UTP	Cat 6 F/UTP
Frequency	16 MHz	250 MHz
Primary Application	Telephone / legacy communication	Modern professional Ethernet
Pair Structure	Multipair	Four pairs
Current ETK Conductor Diameter	0.51 mm	0.57 mm
Overall Foil	Yes	Yes

The common F/UTP designation describes screening architecture, not network category. The two cable families differ substantially in frequency, pair geometry and intended network performance.

Cat 3 F/UTP Is Not a Gigabit Ethernet Cable

Cat 3 F/UTP is not a modern Gigabit Ethernet solution.

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP transmission tables extend through 16 MHz and primarily support telephone and legacy-data applications.

Modern Gigabit Ethernet projects should use an appropriate Cat 5e or higher cable family.

Projects requiring 10 Gigabit Ethernet should evaluate Cat 6A or another suitable high-performance network architecture.

Cat 3 F/UTP PVC Cable

Cat 3 F/UTP PVC Cable combines the foil-screened Category 3 multipair architecture with a PVC outer jacket.

The current product range uses 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors and provides configurations from 2 pairs to 100 pairs.

The cable core uses solid PE insulation, layered or grouped pair stranding, polyester wrapping, a tinned copper earthing wire and an overall Al/PET foil before the PVC jacket.

PVC provides a conventional jacket option for fixed indoor communication installations where PVC materials are permitted.

Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH Cable

Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH Cable combines the same foil-screened 24 AWG multipair architecture with a halogen-free outer jacket.

The current product documentation publishes applicable testing for:

• Smoke density
• Flame retardancy
• Corrosive-gas characteristics
• Halogen content

LSOH or LSZH describes material and reaction-to-fire characteristics. It does not establish defined fire-resistant circuit integrity.

Cat 3 F/UTP PE Cable

Cat 3 F/UTP PE Cable combines an overall foil-screened multipair core with a UV-resistant polyethylene outer jacket.

The current product uses 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors and offers configurations from 2 pairs to 100 pairs.

The PE jacket provides an outdoor-oriented material system for communication routes exposed to environmental conditions that differ from conventional indoor installations.

However, a PE jacket should not automatically be interpreted as mechanical armor, water blocking or universal direct-burial qualification.

PVC vs LSOH vs PE Cat 3 F/UTP

Jacket	Main Selection Consideration
PVC	General fixed indoor communication installations where PVC is permitted
LSOH / LSZH	Projects requiring defined low-smoke and halogen-related characteristics
PE	Outdoor-oriented communication routes requiring a polyethylene jacket

The jacket material changes environmental and reaction-to-fire characteristics. It does not change the underlying F/UTP screening architecture or Category 3 transmission range.

Cat 3 F/UTP Pair Count Selection

Pair count is one of the most important specification parameters for this family.

Typical Requirement	Selection Direction
Small communication connection	2, 3 or 4 pairs according to circuit requirement
Local PBX or communication distribution	Intermediate multipair construction
Large subscriber distribution	Higher pair counts such as 25, 50, 75 or 100 pairs

The required cable should allow for active circuits, spare pairs and the physical distribution architecture of the project.

Cat 3 F/UTP Cable Diameter Varies with Pair Count

The current family extends from 2 to 100 pairs, so overall cable diameter changes considerably with construction size.

Published examples include approximately:

• 4.0 mm for 2 pairs
• 5.6 mm for 4 pairs
• 8.4 mm for 10 pairs
• 13.7 mm for 25 pairs
• 15.1 mm for 50 pairs
• 25.7 mm for 100 pairs

Pair grouping and cable geometry mean that diameter does not necessarily increase in a perfectly linear sequence. Buyers should therefore use the exact selected product table for pathway, gland and termination planning.

Cat 3 F/UTP Electrical Characteristics

The current ETK Kablo product documentation publishes several core electrical values across the Cat 3 F/UTP range.

Parameter	Published Value
Conductor Resistance at 20°C	Max. 94 Ω/km
Insulation Resistance	5000 MΩ/km
Propagation Velocity	67–69%
Characteristic Impedance	Nominal 100 Ω
Operating Voltage	230 V DC
Test Voltage	1200 V DC for 1 minute

Buyers should refer to the approved project datasheet when impedance tolerance, capacitance or unbalance limits form part of a contractual specification.

Cat 3 F/UTP Mechanical Characteristics

Current product documentation confirms:

• 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors
• 2 to 100 pair constructions
• 100 m, 500 m and 1000 m published packing lengths
• Mechanical dimensions according to pair count
• Temperature and bending-radius requirements according to the approved product datasheet

Because high-pair-count constructions can become substantially larger than conventional four-pair LAN cable, installers should use the selected product dimensions during pathway and termination planning.

Cat 3 F/UTP Cable Standards

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP product documentation references:

• ANSI/TIA-568-C.2
• IEC 61156-5
• IEC 11801

The published transmission-performance tables extend through 16 MHz.

Project specifications can require different editions or additional documentation, so procurement teams should verify the requirements for the exact supplied construction.

LSOH Cat 3 F/UTP Fire and Material Tests

The current Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH documentation publishes:

• IEC 61034-2 for smoke-density characteristics
• IEC 60332-1-2 for flame retardancy
• IEC 60754-2 for corrosive-gas characteristics
• IEC 60754-1 for halogen content

These tests describe material and reaction-to-fire behavior. They do not establish defined circuit integrity during fire.

Therefore, Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH is not equivalent to FE180 or PH-rated fire-resistant cable.

How to Specify Cat 3 F/UTP Cable

A complete RFQ should define pair count, screening, jacket material and installation requirements.

Specification Item	Information to Provide
Category	Cat 3
Screening	F/UTP – overall foil around individually unshielded pairs
Conductor	0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper
Pair Count	2–100 pairs according to project requirement
Transmission Requirement	Telephone, legacy data or specified Category 3 application
Jacket	PVC, LSOH or PE
Installation Environment	Indoor or outdoor-oriented route according to jacket selection
EMI Environment	Define the reason for overall foil screening
Fire Requirement	Required smoke, flame, halogen or CPR documentation where applicable
Packing Length	100 m, 500 m or 1000 m according to current published range
Documentation	Approved datasheet and project-specific documentation

Why Choose ETK Kablo for Cat 3 F/UTP Cable?

ETK Kablo manufactures foil-screened Cat 3 multipair cables for telephone, legacy data, switchboard and communication-distribution projects.

The current range uses 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors and offers 2-pair to 100-pair constructions with an overall Al/PET foil, tinned copper earthing wire and PVC, LSOH or PE outer jackets.

This broad pair-count range allows distributors, telecommunications contractors and infrastructure projects to select one screened Category 3 family for small communication links or large multipair distribution systems.

ETK Kablo can evaluate pair count, jacket material, electromagnetic environment, installation conditions, packing length and project documentation during the quotation process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat 3 F/UTP Cable

What is Cat 3 F/UTP cable?

Cat 3 F/UTP is a foil-screened multipair communication cable designed for Category 3 telephone and legacy data applications.

What does F/UTP mean?

F/UTP means one overall foil surrounds the complete cable core while the individual twisted pairs remain unshielded.

Is Cat 3 F/UTP the same as FTP cable?

FTP is often used commercially as shorthand for foil-screened cable. F/UTP is the more precise notation because it identifies both the overall foil and the unshielded individual pairs.

What frequency does Cat 3 F/UTP support?

The current ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP products publish transmission-performance data through 16 MHz.

What conductor size does ETK Kablo Cat 3 F/UTP use?

The current PVC, LSOH and PE constructions use 0.51 mm / 24 AWG solid copper conductors.

How many pairs are available?

The current ETK Kablo range includes constructions from 2 pairs up to 100 pairs.

Does Cat 3 F/UTP have individually shielded pairs?

No. One common Al/PET foil surrounds the complete pair bundle. The individual twisted pairs remain unshielded.

What is the difference between Cat 3 U/UTP and F/UTP?

Cat 3 U/UTP has no metallic data screen. Cat 3 F/UTP adds one overall foil screen and a tinned copper earthing wire.

Can Cat 3 F/UTP support 10BASE-T?

Yes. The current ETK Kablo product documentation lists 10BASE-T among the Cat 3 F/UTP applications.

Can Cat 3 F/UTP support Gigabit Ethernet?

Cat 3 F/UTP should not be selected for modern 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet. Modern Gigabit infrastructure requires a higher-category cabling system.

Can Cat 3 F/UTP be used for telephone systems?

Yes. Multipair telephone, PBX, switchboard and subscriber-distribution systems are natural applications for Category 3 cable.

Does ETK Kablo manufacture PVC Cat 3 F/UTP?

Yes. The current range includes a Cat 3 F/UTP PVC construction.

Does ETK Kablo manufacture LSZH Cat 3 F/UTP?

Yes. The current range includes a Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH construction with defined smoke, flame and halogen-related test references.

Does ETK Kablo manufacture PE Cat 3 F/UTP?

Yes. The current range includes a Cat 3 F/UTP PE construction with a UV-resistant polyethylene outer jacket.

Can Cat 3 F/UTP PE be used outdoors?

The PE construction provides an outdoor-oriented jacket material. Buried, water-exposed or otherwise demanding routes should still be evaluated separately.

Is Cat 3 F/UTP LSOH fire resistant?

Not automatically. LSOH and flame-retardancy characteristics describe reaction-to-fire and material behavior, not defined circuit integrity during fire.

What packing lengths are available?

The current Cat 3 F/UTP PVC, LSOH and PE product tables publish 100 m, 500 m and 1000 m packing lengths.

What information should I provide when requesting a quotation?

Provide the Cat 3 F/UTP requirement, required pair count, PVC/LSOH/PE jacket, electromagnetic environment, installation conditions, quantity, packing length and required documentation.