Say 'Hello' To Fiber Optic Cables And Goodbye To
Copper Cables
Author: James Croydon

In today's world copper wired cables are being replaced by
fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cables are spanning the long
distances between phone systems and also provide backbone for
many network systems. The three types of most commonly used
fiber optic cables are single mode, multi mode and plastic
fiber optic cables.

Fiber optic cables provide high speed-up into gigabytes and
possess a larger bandwidth that is large carrying capacity.
Fiber optic cables enable signals to be transmitted further
without needing to be "refreshed" or strengthened. Fiber optic
cables cost less to maintain and provide greater resistance to
electromagnetic noise such as radios or other nearby cables.

In fiber optics light pulses are used to transmit information.
The principle of 'total internal reflection' is applied in
fiber optic cables. When angle of incidence exceeds the
critical value light cannot get out of the glass. This simple
principle is used in fiber optic cables to transmit information
down fiber lines in the form of light pulses.

Fiber optic cables are usually much smaller and lighter as
compared to other cables. Fiber optic cables are also easier to
handle as well as easier to install. Fiber optic cables use
lesser duct space but fiber optic cables can be installed
without ducts also.

Fiber optic cables offer more benefits than traditional copper
wire or coaxial cables. As the basic fiber is made up of glass,
fiber optic cables do not corrode. They can be buried in all
kinds of soil forms and can be exposed to all kind of
atmospheres as well.

Since the only carrier in fiber optic cables is light, there is
no possibility of spark from a broken cable wire. Thus fiber
optic cables leave no room for fire hazards as well as no room
for electric shocks to the person repairing broken fiber. Fiber
optic cables can prove to ideal for secure communication system
as they are difficult to tap.

Fiber optic cables are made up of transparent glass or plastic
fibers which allow light to be guided from one end to the other
with minimal loss. Single mode fiber optic cables give a higher
transmission rate and used for long distances. On the other
hand multimode fiber optic cables give high bandwidth at high
speeds over medium distances. Moreover, in multimode fiber
optic cables, light waves are dispersed into numerous paths or
modes and travel at very high speeds.

First commercial fiber optical system was installed in 1977 and
since then it has increased at a rapid rate all over the globe.
Today most of the telephone companies prefer to use optical
fiber throughout their system as the backbone architecture and
as long distance connections between city phone systems.

Fiber optic cables are used in local area network which is
collective group of computers or computer systems connected to
each other allowing sharing of programs, software and
databases.


About The Author: James Croydon, Fiber Network Engineer and
Fiber Optic Light Source expert at f-Tech Associates (
http://www.fiber-optic-tester.com ) publishes other articles
related to Fiber Optic Light Source at
http://www.fiber-optic-patch.com and
http://www.fiber-optic-cables-online.com