Optical Fiber and Copper Cable and The Differences

Since ages, man has had a fascination with technology. The instinct in us has always driven us towards new inventions and discoveries. The technology that was once hailed as new has been replaced with even better ideas. There is no doubt that the technology that intrigues us today is constantly evolving into something more progressive. Amidst this, it is interesting to notice that the advent of Fibre Optics brought forth changes that reflected in many spheres. The question about the use of Fibre optics over the conventional Copper cables has become a topic of interest.

Copper cables use electrical signals to transmit information. Copper cables are used widely in communications and in the wirings of speakers, computers and telephone systems. The use of Copper cables dates back to many years. The cables use a single strand of Copper. The dimensions of the copper cable are specific to their purpose. The Copper cables are equipped with a protective cover called Braiding. Optical fiber cable , on the other hand, comprises of one or more cables that transmit information in the form of light. These cables have a layer called cladding, covered by a jacket which imparts strength and protection to the fibers. So, the main difference between the copper cable and the optical fiber is the mode of transmission which results in extensive distinctions in the properties.

The significant point of difference in the performance of the Copper cables and Optical fibers is their resistance to interference. Interference can cause distortion in the transmitted signal which leads to loss of data. Copper cables are more prone to the effects of interference compared to Optical fibers. Signal degradation is much less in the Optical Fibers compared to Copper cables . Optical fibers are capable of transmitting data over longer distances at faster rates compared to Copper cables. The former also has smaller diameter and lesser weight than Copper cables. Since copper cables are inexpensive they are widely preferred for domestic applications.

Optical fibers have many advantages over copper cables, such as:

With the advancements in technology, speed and security of data have gained priority. We are constantly looking for means of data transmission that has the ability to cover long distances efficiently. Fibre optics is a branch of science with immense potential and the further exploration in this area will bring forth results that will take transmission technologies to new heights.