What Are the Benefits of Fiber Optic Cabling Over Copper Cabling?
Fiber optic cables and copper cables are two options for data transmission when you set up a network. Both types of cables are adequate for transmitting data, but fiber optic cables have several advantages over copper cables. Compare both types of cables to determine which cable will best suit your needs.
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Speed
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Fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting data at a faster rate than a copper cable. For example, a copper cable may transmit 1,000 megabytes per second, while a fiber optic cable can transmit 10,000 megabytes per second. Fiber optic cables use lights or lasers to transmit data, which allows for faster speeds than a copper cable, which uses wire for data transmission.
Security
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A copper cable may be tapped into, since transmission occurs along a wire. With a fiber optic cable, transmission is powered by light, so tapping into the data is difficult. Since a fiber optic cable is unlikely to be tapped, it makes data transmission much more secure. Fiber optic cables are also resistant to electronic interference and power surges, while a copper cable may be impacted by either.
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Bandwidth
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Bandwidth describes the amount of data that the cable is capable of transmitting. Fiber optic cables typically can transmit a higher bandwidth than a copper cable. While a copper cable may transmit a gigabyte of data, fiber optic cables can transmit 10 or more times that amount.
Size
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Physically, a fiber optic cable is thinner and lighter than a copper cable. Because a fiber optic cable functions due to light pulsations, the cable itself weighs less than a copper cable, which is made from metal wire. The smaller size and weight of a fiber optic cable allow you to use it in situations where you need light, easy-to-install cable.
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References
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