What is fiber optic cable?

Fiber optics, or optical fibers, are long, thin strands of carefully drawn glass about the diameter of a human hair. These strands are arranged in bundles called fiber optic cables. We rely on them to transmit light signals over long distances.

At the transmitting source, the light signals are encoded with data… the same data you see on the screen of a computer. So, the fiber transmits “data” by light to a receiving end, where the light signal is decoded as data. Therefore, fiber optics is actually a transmission medium – a “pipe” to carry signals over long distances at very high speeds.

Advantages of optical fiber cables

Bandwidth and data transfer

Older metal data cables, usually copper, offer relatively limited bandwidth compared to fiber optics. Copper-type communication cabling was originally developed to transmit voice signals, which don’t require nearly as much bandwidth for mass data transfer as many modern applications now demand.

Speed

Using light pulses as the primary source of information conveyance gives fiber optic cables a huge speed advantage when compared to other modes of data transfer. Fibre will generally far outstrip the expected performance of even high-grade (Cat5 or Cat6) copper cables in this regard.

Distance

As well as being lightning fast, fiber optic cables can also carry their signals over much longer distances than traditional cabling types due to their low rate of signal power loss. Copper cables are usually cited as having a 328-foot limitation in terms of decent quality transfer distance; by contrast, certain single fiber optics can carry a signal over hundreds of kilometers given the right combination of materials, signal type (wavelength) and network setup.

Interference

Fibre optics provide significantly greater protection from interference than traditional metal cable types because they don’t physically carry an electrical signal. This further boosts their ability to transfer data quickly over much longer distances without suffering significant signal degradation.

Safety and reliability

Another difference between optical fiber and copper cable is that the glass versions tend to be much thinner, lighter and yet sturdier, making them able to withstand much greater pull forces and thus less likely to suffer damage or breakage across long runs than equivalent lengths of metal cabling. Fibre isn’t affected by inclement weather, moisture or extremes of temperature to nearly the same extent that metal wiring can be – and furthermore, the fact that glass fibers don’t carry a current means they don’t present a fire hazard even when damaged or aging.

Contact us for fiber optic cables

Rayoptic Comm was established in 2016 and obtained ISO9001:2015 quality management system certification, focusing on the design, production and sales of FTTX Connectivity products. We have three large-scale assembly lines independently designed, with a plant area of 2,000 square meters and 67 employees. With our many years of experience, we can meet the different needs of customers and can provide one-stop procurement. Rayoptic Comm looks forward to serving you.