When you are building a high-speed, long-range, and/or high-bandwidth network, fiber optic cables are hands down, your best option. To understand why and where copper cables may still be the best solution, it is important to understand the difference between the two.
The two types of cables transmit data but in very different ways. The copper transmits electrical pulses along the metal wires. On the other hand, optical fibers transmit light pulses along soft glass wires. This difference is usually equivalent to fiber optics as the best solution for new or upgraded networks, so it is worth a lot of upfront investment.
1. Fiber optic transmission is faster
The standard method of measuring data transmission rate is through bandwidth. Today, its unit of measurement is gigabits per second (GBPS) or even terabits per second (TBPS).
At present, copper-based transmission speeds can reach up to 40 Gbps, while optical fiber transmission data is close to the speed of light. In fact, the bandwidth limit imposed on optical fiber is mainly theoretical, but it has been tested to hundreds of megabits per second.
2. Optical fiber transmission can cover longer distances
Both copper and fiber-based signals are attenuated, or waveform signals are attenuated in distance. However, the distance of the optical cable to transmit data is much longer. In fact, the difference is huge.
According to management standards, the length of copper cables is limited to 100 meters (~330 feet). In theory, long-distance transmission is feasible, but it may bring other problems so that copper cannot be a reliable method for long-distance transmission. Fiber optic cables, depending on the signal and cable type, can transmit more than 24 miles!
3. Optical cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference (EMI)
By its very nature, the electrical signal in the copper network connection creates an interference field around the cable. When you have multiple adjacent cables, this interference may seep into nearby cables and hinder the required information transmission. It can lead to costly retransmissions and even present security risks. This phenomenon is called crosstalk.
The optical transmission of the optical fiber does not produce any electromagnetic interference, so the optical fiber is ultimately safer and requires less retransmission, which ultimately leads to a stronger return on investment.
4. Shown. Save space and strengthen cable management
The fiber optic cable is very narrow. In fact, they are measured in microns or millionths of a meter. The most common fiber optic cable has the same diameter as human hair. However, as we have seen, they can transmit an incredible amount of data, at higher speeds, and far more distances than their less narrow copper counterparts. Optical cables do need a protective layer, which will increase their width by at least two millimeters.
A standard Category 6 copper cable is about four times its width and only carries a small part of the data. When you use fiber, it takes up less space and is more flexible (and therefore easier to manage). Reducing the cable volume has additional benefits: the freed space can better circulate the cooling air in the data center, making it easier to connect to the equipment, and overall it looks more beautiful.
5. Fiber is the future
The amount of data we consume is increasing every year, as does the bandwidth demand. Investing in modern fiber optic cable infrastructure will allow your network to run at future speeds without the need to replace cables.
In a structured environment, a sturdy multi-fiber backbone will last for years, if not decades, and may continue to support ever-increasing bandwidth requirements. On the other hand, the average life span of copper specifications is slightly higher than 5 years.
Also remember that the technology and equipment (switches, fiber optic signals, servers, etc.) that use cables will generally reduce costs over time. Therefore, high-end network connections may become cheaper in the future.
6. Copper Cable Counterpoint
Optical cables are not a “silver bullet” solution. It is more expensive than copper, so it should be used where appropriate. It is usually best suited for connecting devices, between buildings, and between floors of buildings.
The low cost of copper makes it more suitable for applications with less demand, such as desktop computers and household appliances. Smaller networks, wiring closets, and lower-priority traffic are all conducive to copper applications. In addition, considering in some cases there may already be a large amount of copper, thereby further reducing the overall cost.
7. Conclusion
The right medium for your network really depends on the need. However, if you have large bandwidth requirements, investing in robust, scalable infrastructure will pay off. As we have seen, fiber optic cables allow for a greater return on investment through their faster speed, increased durability, cleaner signal, and smaller physical footprint. Copper cables have their applications and help reduce the initial cost. A combination approach that focuses on future development will be very suitable for you.
