Fiber Optic Cable
What is Optical Fibre?
Fiber or fibre optic technology is an effective cabled-based communication system. It is reliable, versatile, and widely used in many applications and industries.
Optical fibre cabling is used to transfer information via pulses of light, which pass along one or more transparent plastic or glass pipes. In some cases, this can be more than several hundred pipes. Each of these strands is little wider than an average hair, and is normally surrounded by a further layer of cladding which is also in plastic or glass but constructed at a different density to the main inner strand.
A sheath made up of several layers of insulated casing is also wrapped around the cladded fibres. This usually comprises of a protective wrapper, known as a buffer tube, followed by a final outer jacket designed to protect the entire multi-stranded cable.
Optical Fibre Cable Uses
Optic cables are commonly found in a variety of applications such as the internet and broadband, phonelines, networking, and telecommunications. Additional fibre optic cable uses in the home and workplace include lighting and interior decor.
Optical fibre cable can save space compared to bulkier traditional cabling. This ability has also made it popular for many safety and lighting features in vehicles. Optical fibre technologies are widely used in many other demanding professional fields too, including in medical applications, for detailed mechanical inspections, and as sensors for monitoring and controlling the flow of various sorts of electrical currents, sounds and chemicals.
Optical Fibre Internet and Networking
Fibre optic internet cable is increasingly popular. This is due to the higher speeds and bandwidth it can provide compared to standard ethernet or Wi-Fi signals delivered via coaxial or even copper wire from street-level exchanges. This means that fibre networking is a far better choice where high speeds are advantageous or for particularly intensive data transfer needs. Much of this is also true for fibre optic phone lines.
Fibre optic bandwidth is usually significantly higher than a typical ethernet connection. Fibre is also safe to use in high-voltage locations, and in areas where flammable gases or other harsh chemicals or weather conditions are likely to be a factor. This can be another important factor in choosing fibre optic cables for broadband delivery and telecoms as opposed to standard ethernet.
Fibre Optic Cables for Lighting
LED lighting is also a common application of fibre optic technology in domestic and commercial environments. Fibre optics can transmit data in a clean and versatile manner across a wide spectrum of colours and patterns. This means that it is widely used in decorative lighting applications, accent lights, and feature lamps.
Far less electricity is also used by fibre optic LED lighting compared to standard bulb options, which makes it both environmentally-friendly and economical. You can buy fibre optic lighting cables that are safe to use in a wide variety of applications and environments. They do not carry electrical current and are largely resistant to general wear, damage and degradation.
