To maintain rated performance for twisted pairs, how close must the twists be maintained to the termination?

To maintain rated performance for twisted pairs, it is crucial to limit the untwisted length of the pairs as close to the termination as possible. The correct choice specifies a maximum untwisted length of 1/2 inch. This limitation helps to preserve the integrity of the twisted pair design, which is essential for minimizing interference and maintaining the intended electrical characteristics, such as impedance and crosstalk performance.

When the twists are kept intact up to this maximum distance, it ensures the cable continues to perform within its specified parameters. Exceeding this untwisted length can lead to significant degradation in performance, as it exposes the pairs to external electromagnetic interference and potentially disrupts the balance that the twists provide.

Understanding this principle is key in telecommunications and networking, where maintaining the physical characteristics of cabling is vital for reliable signal transmission over distances.