Metal Tipped Ethernet Cable

[Suttera]

What is the difference between metal tipped ethernet plugs versus not metal tipped ethernet plugs?

[Levent]

You mean RJ45 connectors. STP RJ45 connectors usually have metal shrouds on them to provide connection to ground (that is where STP differs from UTP).

[Windows7ge]

Grounding/Electro-magnetic interference mitigation for STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables.

 

Depending on the design of the cable in particular it may be used to prevent external interference from high voltage/amperage appliance cables nearby. Sometimes depending on the design of the cable each pair of twisted wires may have their own shielding wire to prevent cross-talk between the pairs. Overall this is to help maintain signal integrity and can help when operating Cat cable at higher speeds over longer distances.

 

This requires that each end of the cable be connected to a properly grounded device though for it to work.