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 longer distances, making it a popular choice for networking and telecommunications. There are two main categories of twisted pair cables: unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP). UTP is commonly used in local area networks (LANs), while STP provides additional protection against interference, making it suitable for environments with high electrical noise.