What some advantages and disadvantages of using fiber optic cable?

Answer 1

The twisting of wires reduce crosstalk because when electrical current flows through a wire, it creates a small, circular magnetic field around the wire. When two wires in an electrical circuit are placed close together, their magnetic fields are the exact opposite of each other. Thus, the two magnetic fields cancel each other out. They also cancel out any outside magnetic fields. Twisting the wires can enhance this cancellation effect.

Answer 2

Advantages: Capacity Optical fibres carry signals with much less energy loss than copper cable and with a much higher bandwidth . This means that fibres can carry more channels of information over longer distances and with fewer repeaters required. Size and Weight Optical fibre cables are much lighter and thinner than copper cables with the same bandwidth. This means that much less space is required in underground cabling ducts. Also they are easier for installation engineers to handle. Security Optical fibres are much more difficult to tap information from undetected; a great advantage for banks and security installations. They are immune to Electromagnetic interference from radio signals, car ignition systems, lightning etc. They can be routed safely through explosive or flammable atmospheres, for example, in the petrochemical industries or munitions sites, without any risk of ignition. Running CostsThe main consideration in choosing fibre when installing domestic cable TV networks is the electric bill. Although copper coaxial cable can handle the bandwidth requirement over the short distances of a housing scheme, a copper system consumes far more electrical power than fibre, simply to carry the signals. Disadvantages: Price In spite of the fact that the raw material for making optical fibres, sand, is abundant and cheap, optical fibres are still more expensive per metre than copper. Having said this, one fibre can carry many more signals than a single copper cable and the large transmission distances mean that fewer expensive repeaters are required. Special Skills Optical fibres cannot be joined together (spliced) as a easily as copper cable and requires additional training of personnel and expensive precision splicing and measurement equipment.

Answer 3

Some advantages of using fiber optics cable are high bandwidth and long distance between terminals.

The main disadvantages of using fiber optics are:

• fiber optic cable is more expensive to install than using metal wire.
• fiber optic cable is much more fragile than metal wire.
• fiber optic cable is more difficult and more expensive to "split" because de-modulation from light back to electrical signals and then re-modulation back into light for each new branch is necessary using an electronic "splitter unit".

Another answer

One problem with USING optical fibers is that the electrical information signals must be converted (modulated) into light at the transmitter and then re-converted (demodulated) from light back to electrical signals at the receiver.