Fiber vs Copper

The proper cabling infrastructure is critical for performance, cost, and scalability. While choosing between fiber and copper may seem daunting, understanding their differences can simplify your decision. Below, we break down key factors between Fiber vs Copper to consider:

Fiber vs Copper Data Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the main characteristic of communication, so first, we will compare fiber to copper. Fiber optics can support more data bandwidth than copper wire. However, copper wire infrastructure and TDM technology are limited in bandwidth. Because copper wire was initially designed to transmit voice calls only, the demand for bandwidth wasn’t high.

• Fiber: Supports 10 Mbps to 100+ Gbps (and beyond with advanced single-mode fiber), making it ideal for high-speed, data-intensive applications.
• Copper: Typically handles 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps (e.g., Cat6a), but performance degrades over long distances.

Distance Covered

Distance is another important consideration when comparing fiber vs copper. The signal travel on copper wire networks degrades with the length of the cable, so the distance covered by copper wire is very short. However, the signal travel on fiber optic cable does not degrade as the signal degrades in copper wire.

• Copper: Limited to ≤100 meters for high-speed Ethernet (e.g., Cat6). Signal degradation occurs over longer distances.
• Fiber: This transmits data up to 100+ kilometers (single-mode fiber) without loss, which is perfect for long-haul networks.

Reliability

• Fiber: Resists environmental factors (moisture, temperature) and corrosion, offering long-term reliability.
• Copper: Prone to corrosion and signal loss in harsh conditions.

Security

It is essential to consider the security difference between fiber and copper. We can only intercept copper cables by connecting taps to a line to pick up electronic signals. So, it is very easy to compromise your security and challenging to trace compromised cables. However, tapping a fiber-optic cable to intercept data transmissions is very difficult. It’s also easy to quickly find compromised cables, which visibly emit light from transmissions.

Immunity to EMI and RFI

Copper wire is a conductor, so it is shallow in immunity to EMI and RFI. However, fiber optic cable is a non-conducting material, and electrical signals do not interfere with it. So, the immunity to EMI and RFI is very High (Completely immune)

Immunity to electrical hazards

Copper wire is very vulnerable to electrical hazards. However, fiber optics are highly resistant to electrical hazards due to their non-conducting materials.

Size of Cable

The speed via copper cable is directly associated with the weight of the cable used. More cable is required to achieve a higher speed, which requires more space in a system room. However, fiber cable’s speed is not associated with its size and is far lighter than copper. This renders it easier to use and less demanding of limited space in small rooms.

Media and connector costs—The cost of the copper cable for the connector and media is low. Still, fiber optic-related media equipment and connectors cost very high.

Installation skills are more critical for fiber cables than for copper cables. Copper cables require only some installation skills, but fiber optic cables require highly skilled technicians and engineers.

Safety precautions- The copper wire safety precautions are low. But fiber optic required high safety precautions.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)—Copper cable provides power over Ethernet(POE), but fiber optic does not offer such a facility.

Flexibility – Copper wire is more flexible than fiber optic cable.

Reliability- Copper wire is less reliable than fiber optic cable.