Smart Encyclopedia | Why are optical cables better than copper cables?

Making it a more attractive cabling infrastructure solution than copper cables. Wondering what makes them popular among other cabling installations, or what are the benefits of fiber optic cables? This post aims to simplify the selection by discussing this cable technology in detail.

What is Copper Cable?

Copper cables are conventional cables used in various electrical and electronic devices. Highly conductive copper strands are insulated in a non-conductive plastic sheath. Copper is tough, durable, and flexible, so it can be bent into strands. This helps in wiring installation through turns, facades, etc. They are bundled in pairs, so a cable may have two, four, or more wires bundled in an insulating sheath. There are many types of copper cables, such as coaxial and twisted pair. Twisted pair cables can be shielded (STP) or unshielded (UTP). Over the years, copper cables have evolved with Gigabit Ethernet cables that comply with the IEEE 802.3 standard. Newer versions of cables have been developed over the years, such as Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat7, Cat8, etc. These Cat series cables are twisted pair cables with four pairs in each cable. The evolution of these cables has led to developments in network speeds, transmission rates, etc., and are therefore commonly used in large and complex networks.

What is Fiber Optic Cable?

This type of cable uses optical fibers or bundles of glass fibers that are enclosed in an insulating sleeve that is mostly made of plastic. Fiber optics as a technology has been revolutionary in terms of increasing network bandwidth, transmission speed, signal strength, security, etc. In every fiber optic cable, there is a bundle of these glass fibers with a layer of glass wrapped around the fiber core. Above that is a buffer tube layer that protects the cladding. The topmost layer is the protective jacket layer. While copper cables have evolved over time, fiber optic cables have many advantages over the former.

Why choose fiber optic cables instead of copper cables?

Both copper and fiber optic cables carry data across a network, but in very different ways. Copper cables transmit electrical pulses along their metal wires, while fiber optic cables transmit light pulses along flexible glass wires. Learn more about the differences between fiber optic and copper cables and the benefits of fiber optic cables.

• Large Bandwidth: Copper cables have limited bandwidth and are therefore more suitable for voice signal transmission. Fiber optics, on the other hand, offer more bandwidth than copper cables of the same diameter. This cable structure has standardized performance of over 10 Gbps. More bandwidth means more data transmission and higher reliability.
• Long distances: Both fiber-optic and copper-based signals weaken their waveforms over distance. However, fiber-optic cables can transmit data over much longer distances. In fact, the difference is huge. Copper cables can transmit signals to a typical length of 330 feet, according to governing standards. Depending on the type of cable and the signal, fiber-optic cables can transmit distances far greater than 25 miles.
• High Speed: Both cables can carry data across a network, but it is undeniable that fiber optic cables carry data faster than copper cables. Fiber optic cables have a core that transmits light to carry data, allowing the cable to carry signals at speeds around 31% slower than the speed of light. With fiber optic cables, there is less chance of signal degradation.
• High security: Data transmission via optical fiber is always safe. Since the cable does not transmit electricity, it cannot be tapped by an antenna, whereas copper-based cables require an antenna to receive the energy radiated by the cable, which will cause the entire system to malfunction. In addition to this, optical fiber is made of glass, so it does not generate electromagnetic interference (EMI). So, it is not prone to fire.
• Reliability: Fiber optic cables can withstand weather changes and moisture that would otherwise hamper connectivity. As mentioned earlier, fiber optic cables do not carry electricity, so they allow for seamless connectivity.
• Cost-effectiveness: The initial investment of optical cables is much higher than that of copper cables. However, as production technology improves, the overall cost of optical cables has steadily decreased. In addition, it is cost-effective in the long run.