Did you know that the original concepts that were later used to create the very first fiber optic cables were developed almost 200 years ago? A pair of French inventors named Jean-Daniel Colladon and Jacques Babinet came up with them way back in the 1840s and helped bring them to life. It took another century or so for physicist Narinder Singh Kapany to invent the initial fiber optic cables. But the technology for those cables had been studied for decades before that. Colladon and Babinet helped lay the groundwork for what would eventually become modern-day fiber optic cables.
Today, it’s hard to imagine living in a world without fiber optic cables. These cables can be used to transmit data a whole lot quicker than copper cables. They can also be used to transmit data over longer stretches without experiencing any issues. If you’re not already taking advantage of fiber optic cables, there’s a good chance that you’ll be doing it soon. Here are some important things that you will want to know about them.
Fiber optic cables contain glass in them.
One of the things that people are surprised to hear when they start learning about fiber optic cables is that they have glass inside of them. You wouldn’t necessarily think that glass would be a key component in cables that play such a big role in this country. But it’s the glass that helps move data through fiber optic cables at lightning-fast speed. Glass also helps fiber optic cables transmit data without experiencing a lot of signal loss, which is another thing that gives it a leg up on copper cables.
Fiber optic cables are not known for being fragile.
Since fiber optic cables have glass in them, there are some people who are under the impression that they must be very fragile. But this is, of course, not the case! If fiber optic cables were fragile, they wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular as they are today. They’re actually very durable, even compared to copper cables, and can be used in a number of different environments without getting damaged. Fiber optic cable installers do need to be careful about stretching cables. But even if a fiber optic cable is damaged, it’s often very easy to fix it and get it working like new again.
Fiber optics are a lot greener than copper cables.
Many people are interested in “going green” these days, and it’s easy to do it when you harness the power of fiber optic cables. It doesn’t take as much energy to send light through fiber optic cables as it does to send electrical signals through traditional copper cables. This makes fiber optic cables a greener option than copper cables and cuts down on the energy that people and companies use when sending and receiving data.
Fiber optic cables are used to do more than just power the internet.
If you were asked to explain what fiber optic cables do, your answer would likely include the word “internet.” This is because fiber optic cables are responsible for powering up the entire internet to some degree. They make it possible for people to send and receive data faster than ever before. But fiber optic cables do more than power the internet. They’re also used in lots of other ways these days. You’ll find fiber optic cables in digital signs, medical devices, and so much more.
Fiber optic cables stretch across almost every part of the U.S.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how many fiber optic cables stretch across the country right now. There are always new fiber optic cables being put into the ground. But researchers have found that there are at least 100,000 miles of fiber optic cables in the U.S., and that number is going to continue to rise in the coming years as more and more fiber optic cables are installed. It’s clear that fiber optic cables have a place in both the present time and in the future. It’s going to be exciting to see how fiber optic technology continues to evolve as we move forward.
Do you want to find out even more about fiber optic cables and what makes them so special? Connected Fiber would love to talk to you about the power of fiber optic cables. We would also love to provide you with fiber optic services if you ever need them. Call us at 910-443-0532 to schedule fiber optic testing,emergency restoration, or one of the other services that we have to offer.
