What unit of measurement is used to express attenuation in network cabling?

Attenuation in network cabling refers to the reduction in signal strength as it travels through the cable. The correct unit of measurement for attenuation is the decibel (dB). This logarithmic measurement allows for a more comprehensive representation of how much the signal is weakened over a certain distance or medium, making it a suitable choice for expressively capturing the loss of signal strength.

Using decibels is standard in telecommunications and networking because it simplifies the calculations involving ratios of power or intensity. For example, a decrease in signal strength by 3 dB represents roughly a halving of the power level, which provides a clear and manageable way to understand signal loss in various environments and applications.

Other choices do not apply: hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency, kilobits per second (Kbps) relates to data transfer rates, and watts (W) measure power, none of which directly convey the concept of signal attenuation in cabling.