Fibre Optic Cables: Fact vs. Fiction

Fibre Optic Cables have increased in popularity extensively, over the last few years.

Many companies are now relying on these cables for internal and external communication.

Many communication companies use fibre cables to create a reliable communication network for their customers.

Despite being immensely popular, many people still believe some myths about optical fibre cables.

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Here are some the myths and the facts:

Fibre Optic Cables Myth: it is Expensive.

Fact: Fibre cables were more expensive than other types of cables when they were first introduced.

But, with the advancement in technology, these cables are now more in line with the budget of businesses.

Moreover, with time, the cost of installation of fibre cables has also decreased significantly.

The cables also cut down the long term cost.

As the cables use light signals instead of electrical signals, they have less operating costs than copper cables.

The network constituting of fibre cables, therefore, requires less operating power and less equipment, resulting in further cost savings.

Fibre Optic Cables Myth:  it is not durable.

Fact: As these cables are made of glass, people believe that the cables are not durable and are very fragile.

This myth is born from a small truth. These cables are made of glass but are not as fragile as glass.

The strands of glass in fibre optic cables are thinner than a strand of hair.

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When these strands are put together in hundreds however, it becomes more durable than a copper cable.

Moreover, these cables can withstand any kind of weather condition.

Hence, it is a myth that the cables are not durable.

Fibre Optic Cables Myth: it is not safe.

Fact: This is a completely false statement.

The cables are way safer than the traditional copper cables as they have a minimal risk of fire.

As the cables use light signals to transmit the data rather than electricity, the risk of fire is minimal.

The use of light signals also eliminates the risk of interference with other equipment.

Myth: The cables are very challenging to install.

Fact: This was true during the early stages of fibre optic cable.

As technology has grown leaps and bounds, there has been a huge development in the way the cables are installed.

Now, the installation and testing of cables has become quite simple really.

Myth: The cables cannot be bent.

Fact: Fibre cables are quite sensitive as compared to the copper cables, but still the cables can be bent.

The cable manufacturing companies have made the cables more flexible.

Since 2007, the fibre cables have become less sensitive, and the improvements have made the cables more durable than ever.

This has in turn provided the option to bend the cable (according to the bend radius recommended by the manufacturer).

With the option to bend the cables, they have now been used to cover hard-to-reach places.

Companies therefore do not have to worry about any hindrance in performance caused by any bending of the cables.

With the introduction of bend insensitive cables the bend radius of fibre optic cable has seen even more amazing results.

 Fibre Optic Cable – Bend Insensitive

Conclusion: 

Myths about the fibre optic cable have been around for quite some time.

It is now time to break the myths and start looking at the benefits these cables have to offer over conventional copper cables.

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