What makes fiber preferable to copper cabling for interconnecting buildings?
Choose three Options:
A) greater distances per cable run
B) lower installation cost
C) limited susceptibility to EMI/RFI
D) durable connections
E) greater bandwidth potential
F) easily terminated
The Correct Answer Is A, C, and E.
Fiber optic cabling is preferable to copper cabling for interconnecting buildings for several reasons, including greater distances per cable run, limited susceptibility to electromagnetic interference/radio-frequency interference (EMI/RFI), and greater bandwidth potential.
Firstly, fiber optic cabling allows for greater distances per cable run compared to copper cabling. This is due to the nature of the optical signals transmitted through fiber optics. Fiber optic cables use light to carry data, and this light signal can travel much farther without significant degradation in signal quality compared to electrical signals in copper cables.
In copper cabling, signal strength diminishes over longer distances, requiring signal boosters or repeaters to maintain data integrity. Fiber optics can cover distances of several kilometers without the need for signal amplification, making it ideal for interconnecting buildings that may be located far apart.
This increased reach reduces the need for intermediate equipment, ultimately reducing costs and complexity in network installations.
Secondly, fiber optic cables have limited susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). Copper cables are vulnerable to interference from electromagnetic fields generated by other electronic devices, power lines, or radio signals.
This interference can lead to signal degradation and data loss in copper cabling systems. In contrast, fiber optic cables are immune to such interference since they transmit data using light pulses. This makes fiber optics an excellent choice for interconnecting buildings in urban environments where EMI and RFI sources are abundant.
It ensures reliable and secure data transmission even in areas with high electronic interference, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity and network performance.
Thirdly, fiber optic cabling offers greater bandwidth potential compared to copper cabling. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time. Fiber optics can support significantly higher bandwidths than copper cables.
This increased bandwidth is essential for modern data-intensive applications, such as high-definition video streaming, cloud computing, and data center interconnections. As businesses and organizations increasingly rely on these technologies, having the capacity to handle high data volumes is crucial.
Fiber optics provide the necessary bandwidth headroom to accommodate future growth and emerging technologies, making it a future-proof choice for interconnecting buildings.
Now, let’s explain why the other options listed are not correct:
B) Lower installation cost:
Fiber optic cabling typically has a higher initial installation cost compared to copper cabling. This is because the equipment and expertise required for fiber optic installation, including specialized connectors and fusion splicing machines, can be more expensive.
Copper cabling, on the other hand, often requires less specialized equipment and is easier to terminate, which can reduce installation costs in the short term. However, the long-term benefits of fiber optic cabling, such as lower maintenance and higher reliability, can outweigh the initial installation cost.
D) Durable connections:
Both fiber optic and copper cabling can provide durable connections when installed and maintained properly. However, fiber optic connections tend to be more delicate during installation and require precise alignment and protection from bending or crushing.
Copper connectors are generally considered more rugged and easier to work with, making them appear more durable. Nevertheless, once properly installed, both copper and fiber connections can be reliable and long-lasting.
F) Easily terminated:
Copper cabling is often considered easier to terminate compared to fiber optic cabling. Copper connectors, such as RJ-45 connectors used in Ethernet, are widely known and used, and the termination process is relatively straightforward.
Fiber optic connectors, on the other hand, require more specialized tools and expertise for termination, particularly for fusion splicing. While the process of terminating fiber optics may seem more complex, it offers higher performance and reliability in the long run.
Fiber optic connectors are less susceptible to signal loss due to connector quality and offer better resistance to environmental factors like moisture and dust.
In conclusion, fiber optic cabling is preferred over copper cabling for interconnecting buildings due to its advantages in greater distances per cable run, limited susceptibility to EMI/RFI, and greater bandwidth potential.
While copper cabling may have advantages in terms of initial installation cost, durability of connections, and ease of termination, these factors are outweighed by the long-term benefits and performance advantages offered by fiber optics in modern networking scenarios.
Therefore, businesses and organizations looking for reliable, high-performance, and future-proof interbuilding connections should consider the advantages of fiber optic cabling.
MBA,BBA.
I am Smirti Bam, an enthusiastic edu blogger with a passion for sharing insights into the dynamic world of business and management through this website.
I hold a MBA degree from Presidential Business School, Kathmandu, and a BBA degree with a specialization in Finance from Apex College,