CompTIA Network+ Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is commonly used as an outer coating for network cables. It serves several important functions in networking applications. Firstly, it provides insulation that protects the internal conductors of the cable from external environmental factors, such as moisture and dust, which could lead to signal degradation or interference. Secondly, the durable nature of PVC helps to physically protect the cables from damage due to contact with objects or abrasion during installation or from environmental impacts.

The other choices focus on different applications: insulating cables does not specifically refer to PVC, as insulation can be made from various materials; connecting fiber optics typically involves specialized materials like glass or plastic fibers that can carry light rather than PVC; and providing power to devices is generally related to technologies like PoE (Power over Ethernet), which would not utilize PVC for power transmission. Therefore, the role of PVC as a coating is the most appropriate and relevant answer in the context of networking.