Fiber optic cable is also known as “Optical Fiber Cable”, it is special types of networking cable that is made by glass or special type of plastic which can allow to transmit light from one edge of fiber cable to another edge. Optical fiber cable use the beam of light signals for transmitting data signals beyond of traditional electrical signals, whereas by twisted pair cables, electrical current is used for transferring data signals.

In this post, we will explain various Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cable | Limitations & Benefits of Fiber Optic Cable. At the end of this article, you will aware the many pros and cons of using fiber optic cables.

Advantages of Fiber Optic Cable

Here, we will spread light on the various benefits and advantages of optical fiber cable over the coaxial cable; below explain each one –

High Level Bandwidth

Fiber optic cable has much better bandwidth compare to other metal cables. This cable is capable to transmit data as per unit time of fiber over another transmission media.

It allows to decrease latency with fiber, and also provides faster download and uploading times, as well as it is able to fast access to resources. Due to less loss, this cable can capable to carry all data across longer distance without getting any delay otherwise interruptions.

Having Fastest Speed

Fiber optic cable contains a core that can carry light to transmit entire data. So, it can support fiber optic cables to carry signals at speed that are only about 31% slower compare to speed of light fastest than Cat5 or Cat6 copper cables.

Low Cost

Raw materials are used for glass are plentiful, unlike to copper. That means, glass can be constructed less cost compare to copper. Its durability and reliability of fiber can make the total cost of ownership (TCO) lower.

Ability to Longer Distance Transmission

Fiber optical cable is getting to low power loss medium that means you can grab higher bandwidth over the very long distance. It can support to data transmission up to 10’s KM in distance, whereas copper cable has limited to 328 foot for transmission. For instance, few 10Gbps single mode fiber cables can carry signals about 25 miles.

Thinner and Light Weight

Fiber optic cable are very thinner and light weight compare to copper metal wires, so it is capable to occupy less space along with cable of similar information capacity, and due to light weight, it easier to install. Fiber cable has less probability to damage and breakage.

Having Better Security

Fiber optic cable has ability to keep data secure, because it doesn’t get radiate electromagnetic energy, emissions and is much difficult task to tap without your information. It is very secure medium available for carrying transmitted data.

Having Better Flexibility

Fiber optic cable is very flexible, because it can easily bend and resist most  corrosive elements compare to often attack copper cables.

Interference

Fiber optic cables are enabled immune to electromagnetic interference, so it is capable to run in electrically noisy environments without getting any electrical noise will not fire affect fiber.

Improved Latency

Fiber optic cable removes many of latency problems user experience on Internet cable, while downloading or uploading a video or consuming high-definition data. Due to lower your latency, it helps to improve voice quality for VoIP users, can be moved many aps to cloud, downloading and uploading massive files without any disruption.

Having Great Reliability

Due to change temperature, weather and moisture, copper cable can get to hamper the connectivity. But, here fiber does not carry electric current, so it’s not bothered by electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can interrupt data transmission.

Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cable

In this section, we will spread light on the various limitations and disadvantages of optical fiber cable over the coaxial cable; below explain each one –

Challenges in Splice

Fiber optic cable is getting very difficult to splice that means it is not easy task, because when you are bent in shape too much then it can break. Fiber optic cable gets to loss due to scattering. It has to bound in physical arc of cables.

Costly to Installation and Production

Technical specialist must be hired for installing the optical fiber cable, so it can be got more costly, while its installation. Fiber optic cable is not as robust like as wires. Special test equipment’s are mostly needed to optical fiber.

Attenuation and Dispersion

While transmitting data in long distance, light will get attenuate and disperse, that means extra equipment’s are needed like as EDFA (Erbium-doped fiber amplifier), and optical repeater component that is help to improve the intensity of optical signals during carried via fiber optic communications system.

Fragility

Fiber optic cables are constructed by glass, so they are more fragile compare to electrical wires like copper cabling. When, you will try to bend them very much then they will get break.

Integration

Integration is very difficult task in merging, because there are getting very high possibility of beam loss inside the cable. There are taken very necessary steps for testing and measuring the fiber optic cable.

Data Transmission

Fiber optic cable is capable to propagate of light only in one direction. If, you require the data to be moved in both sides then extra cable is needed to installation.