What type of cables are commonly used in local area networks for their low cost and flexibility?

Twisted Pair Cables are widely used in local area networks (LANs) due to their low cost and flexibility. These cables consist of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together, which helps to reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk from adjacent pairs. This design allows for effective data transmission over relatively short distances, making them suitable for applications such as connecting computers, printers, and switches within office environments.

The flexibility of twisted pair cables extends to their installation and management. They are available in various categories, such as Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a, which correspond to different performance specifications for data rates and bandwidth. This variety allows network designers to choose the right category based on the specific requirements of the network.

Overall, the combination of low production costs, ease of installation, and sufficient performance for most LAN applications solidifies twisted pair cables as the standard choice in networking scenarios.