Most businesses require robust IT infrastructures in order to ensure productivity, efficiency, and of course, profitability—and these infrastructures are typically comprised of either copper or fiber optic cabling. Both types of cables transmit data, but they do it in very different ways. Copper carries electrical pulse along its metal strands. Conversely, fiber optic cables carry pulses of light along flexible glass strands.
Ultimately, there are situations where copper is the best solution. However, when a network requires long distances and high speeds as well as heavy bandwidth connections, IT professionals choose fiber optic cables.
In this new explainer, the cabling team at Connectivity will outline why.
The Case for Fiber Amongst IT Pros
Here are some of the primary benefits associated with fiber optic cabling:
1. They Cover Greater Distances. Copper cables are typically limited to lengths of about 100 meters—or 330 feet—per governing standards. Theoretically, longer lengths are possible, but other problems with copper may present themselves, including being a reliable transmission method at long distances. On the other hand, fiber optics can transmit at lengths over 20 miles.
2. They Are Simply Faster. Copper-based transmission maxes at 40 Gbps—and fiber optics carry data at the speed of light. Enough said.
3. They Are Future Proof. We talk a lot about the importance of future proofing here at Connectivity—and this is where fiber optics excel. Bandwidth requirements are always changing for businesses… and they are only increasing in demand. Fiber optic cabling infrastructure will allow a company’s network to operate at future speeds without ever needing to replace cabling. And copper’s average lifespan is just a bit over five years.
4. They Are Impervious to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). Electrical signaling in a copper network connection creates a field of interference around the cables themselves—and this can bleed into other cables, impacting the messaging, which is referred to as crosstalk. Fiber optics do not generate any EMI. This, in turn, is more secure and results in great ROI.
5. They Conserve Space and Improve Cable Management. The strands of fiber optics are very narrow, so narrow, in fact that they are about the same diameter as a piece of human hair—they are measured in microns (millionths of a meter). Copper (specifically standard category 6 copper cable) is about four times that width, and it carries a fraction of the data. Therefore, fiber being smaller and more efficient in its transmission is easier to manage and access. It looks more pleasing to the eye and the space it saves also allows for better circulation of the cooled air in a data center.
Learn More About Fiber Optics
Connectivity provides both fiber optics and copper cabling solutions—and we would love to have a conversation with you about what might be best for your business. To set up a time to talk, reach out to our team today. We welcome the opportunity to be your trusted cabling partner.