Fibre Optic Cable vs. Copper Cable
Advantages
over Copper Cable
Fibre optic cables can carry signals with much less energy loss than copper cable as copper wires lose signal energy as heat (P=I2R) due to their resistance.
They are much lighter than copper cables with the same band width, so much
less space is required in underground cabling ducts and costs
for transportation and handling are therefore less.
They are immune to electromagnetic interference from radio signals, lightning
etc
They can
be routed safely through explosive or flammable atmospheres where
are the risk of sparks from electrical cables would be to great
for them to be used without a lot of precautions taken.
The raw materials
to make them are plentiful (silicon can be extracted from sand) whereas copper
supplies are dwindling.
Disadvantages
to Copper Cable
Optical fibres
are still more expensive per metre than copper because they are
manufactured to a high standard as they are made to carry multiple
signals.
They cannot
be joined together as easily as copper cable
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