Among STP and UTP cables, which is typically preferred according to standards?

In networking standards, shielded twisted pair (STP) cables are generally preferred in environments where there is a significant amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI). STP cables incorporate shielding that helps to protect the data signals from these types of interferences, enhancing data integrity and improving performance in noisier environments.

This makes STP particularly suitable for installations near electrical equipment or in industrial settings where interference is common. Although unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are more widely used due to their lower cost and ease of installation, they do not provide the same level of protection against interference.

Thus, when considering standards and recommendations, STP's advantage in maintaining signal quality in challenging environments makes it the preferred choice in many professional applications.