All You Need To Know About Fiber Optic Cables

What Are Fiber Optic Cables?

Fiber Optics are long, thin strands of very pure glass that are arranged in bundles called optical cables and used to transmit light signals over long distances.

How Fiber Optics Work

Fiber Optic lines are strands of optically pure glass as thin as a human hair that carry digital information over long distances. They are also used in medical imaging and mechanical engineering inspection. Fiber Optics are similar to shining a flashlight beam down a long, straight hallway. The light travels in a straight line down the hallway. But what happens if the hallway has a curve or turn in it? You could place mirrors strategically in the hallways to get the light to shine through the bending hallway. This science works similarly to how fiber optics work. The light in a fiber optic cables travels through the core of the cable by constantly bouncing from the cladding (mirror-lined walls), also known as total internal reflection. There is no distribution within the cable, allowing the optical light to travel great distances.

Advantages of Fiber Optics

Less Expensive - Long distances of fiber optic cables can be made much cheaper than similar lengths of copper wire.

Thinner - Fiber Optic cables are also smaller in diameter than copper wires.

Higher Carrying Capacity - This allows more phones lines, or more channels through your cable box to come through the Fiber Optic cable.

Clearer Connection - Light signals do not interfere with other fibers in the same cable, like copper wires do, resulting in clearer images or phone conversations.

Non-Flammable - There are no fire hazards because no electricity passes through Fiber Optics.

Cables.com offers custom-ordered Fiber Optic Cables to fit your exact needs. Please visit our website custom cable configurator to custom build the perfect cable for the job. For more information, or to make a purchase, browse our collection of fiber optic cables and related fiber optic accessories Here.