What is a key characteristic of Fiber Optic Cables?

A key characteristic of fiber optic cables is their immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Unlike copper cables, which transmit data using electrical signals and can be affected by electromagnetic fields, fiber optic cables use light to transmit data through glass or plastic fibers. This makes them highly resistant to external interference, allowing for clear and reliable signal transmission, especially in environments with significant electronic activity or radio frequency interference.

Additionally, fiber optic cables have the advantage of being able to carry signals over much longer distances without degradation compared to copper cables, which can experience loss of signal quality over distances due to resistance. Fiber optic technology also typically allows for higher bandwidth, making it suitable for high-speed data transmission. Therefore, their ability to function effectively in the presence of EMI is one of the primary reasons they are preferred in many networking applications.