A twisted pair is a type of electrical cable used primarily for transmitting data and voice signals. It consists of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference. This design helps maintain signal quality over distances, making it a popular choice for networking and telecommunications. Twisted pairs are commonly used in Ethernet networks and telephone systems. There are two main categories: unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP). UTP is widely used for most applications, while STP provides additional protection against interference, making it suitable for environments with high electrical noise.