Optical fibers are strands of flexible glass used in telecommunications that can transit digital signals in the form of light. If these fibres were arranged in bundles it is becomes an optical fibre cable. The two types of fibre optic cables are single mode and multi-mode cables. Single mode cables use laser lights to transmit signals while in multi-mode cables use light emitting diodes.
Optical fibre is used in telecommunications and very useful in internet signals, medical imaging, television and many more. Compared to the conventional metal or cooper wire, optical fibers are:
1. Less effective. Several miles of optic cables are less expensive than equivalent length of copper wire.
2. Because optical fibers are thinner, they have higher carrying capacity than cooper wire. This allows huge amount of information to be transmitted from one point to another. In communication, it will allow more phone lines to go over the same cable or channels.
3. They are thinner and can be drawn to smaller diameters than copper wire.
4. Flexible, lighter and less bulky. Because they are lighter and less bulky, they can fit in crowded and smaller places. It is easy to transport and very flexible allowing it to move through every corners easily.
5. Less signal degradation. Meaning the loss of signal in optical fibre is lesser than in copper wires.
6. Light signals from one fiber do not interfere with other fibers in the same cable unlike light signals from copper wires.
7. Less power consumption because signals in optical fibers degrade less. Unlike copper wires, it does not require high voltage electrical transmitters.
8. Optical fibers are suited to carrying digital information especially in internet or computer networks.
9. Non-flammable. There is no fire hazard in using optical fibres because there is no electricity that can passed through.
10. Optical fibres are lightweight and take up less space in the ground.
11. They are very useful in medical and mechanical imaging.
12. Safe. There is no danger of fire and electric shocks because optical fibers use light for signal transmissions instead of electricity.
