The introduction of fibre optic technology has advanced the way we deliver power and communicate digitally but how does it compare to traditional cabling materials and is it sustainable?
What are the differences between fibre optic and metal components in cables and connectors, and how we can efficiently use them in evolving applications?
Finally, when choosing a connector or cable for your application, both fibre optics and metal can be considered based on requirements. So, comparing performance, cost, durability and application which is the most efficient option?
Cost vs speed
Traditionally, metal cabling works by transmitting electric current from one place to another using the metal as a conductor. Copper and aluminium are commonly found in cables and connectors serving as excellent conductors thanks to lower levels of resistance.
Alternatively, fibre optic cables use light to transmit data. These pulses of light flow through glass fibres in the cable and provide power. Its higher bandwidth allows for faster data transmission and makes it suitable for high data rate systems.
It’s fibre optic’s speed that sets it apart from its metal counterparts. Fibre optic cables and connectors are capable of transferring data to an average of one gigabyte per second (GBPS), potentially even maxing out at several terabytes per second (TBPS) in some applications.
Fibre’s rapid transfer speeds can depend on its optical channels – single and multi-mode. When discussing speed, traditional metal components lag, barely reaching GBPS levels. Maxing out at lower speeds makes them less compatible with high data transfer applications. However, at a cheaper cost with fibre optic two to four times more expensive in upfront costs, they are more suitable for short-term applications where high speeds are less crucial.
Cost isn’t the only quality contributing to metal’s short-term suitability. Whilst it’s cheaper to install and maintain cables with metal components, compromised durability is the cost that comes with these installations.
Overcoming interference
Materials like copper are resistant to corrosion but can experience electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is when environmental factors interfere with the magnetic field in cabling. This makes them less suitable for applications in harsh environments, where fibre shines in comparison due to its EMI resistance.
Fibre optics’ use of light is what makes them immune to EMI. A glass or plastic core instead of metal enables data transfer through light refraction rather than current, eliminating the possibility of EMI.
EMI resistance in fibre optic cabling is most efficiently used across industries like military and aerospace where durability is valued. Military vehicles, for example, are often exposed to extreme amounts of dust, water, wind and heat.
Both metal and fibre optic cables can be durable options as both can be designed to meet IP (Ingress Protection) ratings up to IP67. For consistency, fibre optics may be the suitable choice as they are often fundamentally designed with higher IP ratings, whereas it is often something sought out for and specified in metal cabling design.
The Fibreco MAXI Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connector supplied by PEI Genesis uses a single-mode optical channel for superior bandwidth across great distances and 16 multi-mode optical channels for high speeds across shorter distances, making it suitable for applications like data centres or military comms.
The full range of Fibreco expanded beam connectors are suited to harsh environment applications because of their durability. These connectors can withstand -40°C to +85°C when operating and have 6.7kN crush resistance - both specifications ensure performance across harsh environments.
There’s a reason why traditional cabling methods are so consistent. As an everyday short-term solution, they remain reliable and cost-effective across many industries.
But as businesses seek to step up their reliability on secure and optimised power, fibre optic connectors and cables offer an exceptional option for speeder transfers even in harsher environments.
Author details: Mark Baptista is an internal application engineer at electrical connector specialist PEI-Genesis
