The document discusses the key differences between copper and fiber optic cables used in networking. It highlights the advantages of fiber optics, such as improved bandwidth and scalability, while addressing the continuing use of copper due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation in small networks. It concludes that as demand for high-speed data transfer increases, fiber optics is likely to grow and become more affordable in the future.

1. FIBER OPTICS VS
COPPER CABLE
KNOW THE KEY DIFFERENCES
VERSITRON INC

2. • Copper cable and fiber optic cable are popular types of cable used for networking. Copper cable
are available from several years. Over the last few years, Fiber Optic cables are introduced in
the market and gained the momentum. As per market researcher, Fiber Optic market is growing
steadily for the next five to ten years.
• Fiber Optic cables offer many advantages such as improved bandwidth and extended
geographical distances in a network. There are various reason of fiber optic gaining traction
despite expensive. While copper cabling is used in many places.
• Fiber optic cable and copper cables are used synchronously with each other especially in
existing network. Also, copper cabling still useful for small networks restricted for one building
or so. Here we will discuss the differences, pros and cons of fiber optic cable and copper cable
FIBER OPTICS VS COPPER CABLE

3. COPPER CABLE
Copper is a good conductor of heat and
electricity. Hence copper cables are used in
wiring since the days of analog landline
telephones and even before. A copper cable
has complex constructions with several layers
such as conductor, insulation, bedding, armor,
sheathing. Every layer working is as follows:
• Conductor: It is copper wire which triggers
the flow of electrons
• Insulation: It prevents contact between the
conductor wires
• Bedding: It protects the inner layers from
outer layers
• Armor: It assures mechanical protection
• Sheathing: It encloses cable components,
as well as assure environmental protection

4. COPPER CABLE TYPES & USAGE:
There are various types of copper cables such as shielded
and unshielded twisted pair cables and coaxial cables,
where the construction may slightly vary depending on
application. Unshielded or UTP cables are widely used in
local area networks (LANs). Despite the increasing
demand for fiber optics, copper cables are still used
across industries for the many benefits they offer
including cost.
However, with the rising demand for high speed data
transfer, seamless connectivity. Copper cabling paving a
way for fiber optics even in small applications due to
signal attenuation and less bandwidth.

5. COPPER CABLING – ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES ANALYZED
• Copper metal is metal is highly malleable and ductile. It
is used for conductivity and metal sheets cut into thin
sheets or wires which eases the formation of cables.
• Copper is relatively cheaper than silver and hence
copper cables are cost effective.
• Copper has a high tensile strength and does not break
easily. This property also allows copper to be used along
with other metals to form an alloy for wiring
applications.
• Coper is resistant to corrosion and rust, and hence able
to use in moist and humid areas as well.
• Copper wires are not easy to install, they may be
difficult to move to another area.
• Copper cables produce electromagnetic current. It
effects the quality and speed of data transferred.
• The signals transferred over a copper cable may weaken.
It causes delays in data transfer due to interrupted
connectivity and reduced signal strength.
• There are issues pertaining to EMI, RF, and signal
attenuation.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

6. FIBER OPTICS
Fiber optic cable comprises fiber glass strands
insulated with an outer covering that protects
the strands from external parameters. The
data is transmitted in the form pulses and light
signals. The light signal is transferred through
each strand. The glass covering around the
strands reflect light inward facilitates the light
signal to pass through various bends and
twists in the network. It increases the signal
strength and bandwidth.

7. Advantages:
• Fiber optic cables enables uninterrupted data transfer at high speeds.
• Fiber optic cables are easy to install in difficult to reach areas or cramped up spaces.
• Fiber Optic cables helps to save cost and efforts to install entire fiber optic network.
• Fiber optic cables are durable and can resist harsh environmental conditions, vibrations, moisture
and pass beneath the ground as well as oceans in case of large networks.
• Fiber optic networks are scalable and enable future expansions.
• Fiber optics is beneficial in terms of radio frequency (RF) which can prevent signal attenuations
which may be caused due to the reflected light.
As of now, the only disadvantage of fiber optic cabling is huge upfront investments. Installing fiber
optic networks incur a significant cost, although they may offer cost effectiveness in the long run. But
as the demand for fiber optics rises, and economies of scale are achieved, the prices of fiber optic
cables, devices, and network installation may reduce.
FIBER OPTIC CABLES: ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES

8. • Copper cabling or legacy networks is still exist and function, It is good for very small
businesses restricted to not more than a couple of floors and not spread in other cities or
countries. However, installing fiber optics is ideal for big players and especially mission critical
applications where speed and accuracy are key.
• Mid-sized businesses may opt for network expansion through fiber optic extended networks.
This helps limit your budget and makes your network fast, robust, secure, and scalable. All in
all, businesses in an expanding mode must opt for fiber optics. Most certainly, fiber optics is
set to grow and stay for a long time till another equally or more disruptive technology enters
the market.
• VERSITRON offers fiber optic network solutions and devices as well as network installation
kits.
CONCLUSION

9. CONTACT US
302-894-0699
www.versitron.com
83 Albe Drive - Suite C - Newark, DE 19702 US
https://www.facebook.com/VERSITRON-Inc-1033810473298379/