Wiring Fiber Optic Cable
What is Fiber Optics?


Optical Technology

Types of Fiber-Optic Cables
– Multi-Mode: The optical fibers in a multi-mode cable are 10 times bigger than single-mode cables. Light beams in multi-mode cables can travel in a variety of paths. These modes can send information short distances and are generally used to link together computer networks.
Uses for Fiber Optics
Computer networks
- No Crosstalk: Copper cables are known to have electromagnetic interference, unlike fiber optical fibers. Less interference means better quality.
- Less Signal Loss: With fiber-optic cables, your information travels about 10 times further before there is need for amplification. This makes fiber networks easier to operate and cheaper.
- Higher bandwidth: Fiber-optic cables are able carry much more data than copper cables.
Television Broadcasting
Back in the early 20th century, radio and TV broadcasting were born from a relatively simple idea: it was quite easy to shoot electromagnetic waves through the air from a single transmitter (at the broadcasting station) to thousands of antennas on people’s homes. These days, while radio still beams through the air, we’re just as likely to get our TV through fiber-optic cables because a single optical fiber can carry enough data for hundreds of television channels.
Optical fibers offer higher capacity, less interference, and much better picture and sound quality. They are also able to travel much longer distances and are much more cost effective.
Military
Military planes, tanks, and helicopters have all been switching to fiber-optic cables because they are lightweight compared to bulky and expensive metal cables.