How to Choose Communication Cables, Optical Cables or Copper Cables?

The selection of the transmission medium for data centers is a contentious issue, particularly when specialized technical and business requirements need to be taken into account. In such scenarios, the choice between optical fiber and copper cable often arises. While some believe that fiber is the way to go, others favor copper.

When it comes to transmission rates, distance, maintenance management, and cost, optical fiber and copper cable are distinct. So, which one should be chosen in real-world applications? To help you make an informed decision, let's delve into the technical aspects and characteristics of both options.

Characteristic

It can be seen from the above that in addition to the advantages of high bandwidth and long transmission distance, optical fiber also has the characteristics of low attenuation, strong durability and high reliability. At the same time, since the optical fiber is an insulator, it will not be affected by electromagnetic interference and crosstalk during use, so it can be laid next to industrial equipment. In addition to the advantages of good anti-interference, confidentiality, and convenient installation/maintenance/management, copper wire also has good flexibility and emergency power supply capabilities, and can continue to supply power to equipment even if the power is exhausted.

Technology

From a technical point of view, the appropriate data center transmission medium type can be selected according to the following three aspects:

1. The medium's ability to transmit signals

If the wiring environment is harsh or the anti-interference ability is high, the optical fiber is selected, and its anti-interference performance against other signals is stronger than that of copper wire.

2. Whether need to supply power through the cable

It can be seen from the above that copper wires can supply power, and if power supply is required through cables, copper wires should be selected.

3. Issues such as portability or mobility

If you need to change and move frequently, choose a fiber with bend sensitivity.

To put it simply, when ultra-large bandwidth and long-distance transmission are required (such as industrial Ethernet cabling), it is more appropriate to choose optical fiber, while in the case of short-distance transmission and low transmission rate (such as in buildings or corporate offices), Considering the cost issue, it is more appropriate to choose copper wire. Of course, the premise of making such a choice is that your equipment supports the connection of the transmission medium. Finally, if you still have some doubts about the use of the two, you can seek help from

Contact us for more about communication cables

If you need further information on communication cables, feel free to get in touch with us. We have extensive expertise in both optical fiber and copper cable and have conducted comprehensive comparisons between the two based on multiple factors. By now, you may have already gained insights into the differences between the two and how they can be applied in practical scenarios. However, if you still have any doubts or are unsure about how to select the most suitable type for your specific needs, don't hesitate to contact us directly. Our team will be more than happy to assist you with any queries or concerns you may have.