phone (800) IS-FIBER · (508) 992-6464

    Toggle Nav
    My Cart
    My Quote
    close
    Search

    Key Differences Between Copper and Glass Optical Fiber We Need to Be Aware Of

    by:
    OPTICAL CABLE: Ask FOC Ask FOC
    Published: June 4, 2018

    ASKFOC_web2-

    QUESTION:

    What are the key differences between copper and glass optical fiber we need to be aware of?

     

    ANSWER:

    Copper is a malleable metal that can be drawn or stretched, is relatively strong, has a relatively low thermal expansion and acts as a heat sink to the polymer during the extrusion process.

    Glass optical fiber on the other hand is an engineered crystalline structure consisting of many layers and materials. We have glass and optical index of refraction additives in the core and cladding surrounded by the various ultraviolet-cured acrylate polymers that make up the optical fiber coating. This engineered assembly does not like stretch and in fact any strain shortens the optical glass lifetime. Due to the crystalline nature of glass there is no sheer strength in the fiber.

    READ THE FULL BLOG ARTICLE HERE:  Are all cable lines alike?

     

    ADDITIONAL CONTENT & RESOURCES:

     

      Answered by AskFOC Technical Team: June 4, 2018

    Have a technical question for Fiber Optic Center?

    Please email your question to AskFOC@focenter.com and we will respond ASAP.

    In addition to replying, we will post your question and our answer here on focenter.com.  Everyone remains anonymous when we post so feel comfortable asking.  You can also search your question and others in our content search.

    About the Author
    FOC FAQ Fiber Optic Center has a team of technical experts and marketing strategists with decades of years in the field. This team contributes to the fiber, cable and specialty industries coverage through news, alerts, reports and general media information.
    Education Resources

     

    Light Brigade Certified Training

     

    About Fiber Optic Center, Inc.
    Fiber Optic Center, Inc., (FOC), is an international leader in distributing fiber optic components, equipment and supplies and has been helping customers make the best cable assemblies in the world for over two decades. Several areas of specialization and expertise, in which they are the industry leader, make them the preferred choice for many of the world’s fiber professionals. In these key technology areas, FOC is "at least as technical as the manufacturer" about the products they sell. Striving to "make the business part easy," they offer outstanding and personal customer service, low or no minimum purchase order values, and from-stock delivery on industry-leading products and technology. FOC is the industry connection to the most innovative optical products, technologies and technical experts who integrate their manufacturing knowledge and vast experience into customers' worldwide operations. @FiberOpticCntr

    For further information contact:
    Fiber Optic Center, Inc., 23 Centre Street, New Bedford, MA 02740-6322
    Toll Free in US: 800-IS-FIBER or 800-473-4237 . Direct 508-992-6464. Email: sales@focenter.com or fiberopticcenter@focenter.com

    For media contact:
    Kathleen Skelton, Director of Strategic Marketing, C: 617-803-3014 . E: kskelton@focenter.com
    Copyright Notice: Copyrights in all articles published on focenter.com are owned by Fiber Optic Center, Inc. (FOC) or other individuals or entities. No content on focenter.com may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Fiber Optic Center, Inc.