Je! Fiber ya Optical Inafanyaje Kazi? Mwongozo Kamili

Optical fiber technology is one of the most significant advances in telecommunications that has made connecting and communicating in today’s world much easier, faster, and more reliable than ever. Unlike regular cables, optical fibers utilize light as a medium for transmitting data, which allows connections to be made much more efficiently, even from far away distances. 

So, knowing how fiber optic cables function is important whether you are building a home network or improving the IT architecture of a company. Thus, in this blog, we’ll discuss in detail the working process of fiber optic technology and many more. So, come with us!

Figure no 1  Fiber optic working Guide

1) Principles of Light Transmission in Optical Fiber

To understand how an optical fiber performs, we need to first look at the principle of total internal reflection. This is what keeps signals of light suspended in the fiber without signal attenuation. Suppose you are shining a flashlight towards one of the ends of a very long glass tube and imagine if that light hits the walls at an appropriate angle; then it will definitely bounce and travel forward. So, the data will be sent through an optical fiber at blistering speeds over long distances.

• Refractive Index and Its Role  

The reason optical light remains contained within the fiber is a result of the refractive index. It is a property of a material that quantifies its ability to bend light rays incident on it. Moreover, the optical fiber is made of two basic concentric layers:

• The core, which is the central transparent portion, keeps the light signal.

• The cladding has a lower refractive index and surrounds the core.  

Since the core’s refractive index is higher, then the light will bend back into the core instead of escaping to the cladding. The difference in refractive index is essential for internal reflection to take place.

Figure no 2 Process of light transimaission in fiber optic

• Snell’s Law and the Angle of Incidence

Snell’s Law is one of the laws of physics that deals with how light refracts as it moves from one material to another with different refractive indices. An angle of incidence is a measurement of how light approaches a certain surface, whether it will pass or reflect. If the angle is considered steep, then the light breaks free. However, if it is within a certain range, it will bounce off without losing the signal.

In short, these principles demonstrate the reasons behind the efficiency of optical fibers and the proliferation of their use in modern-day communication systems.

2) How does fiber optic cable work?

A fiber optic cable transmits light signals through several thin strands of plastic or glass. Which make it differ from copper wires, which employ electrical signals. So, lets have a look that how this tiny fiber cable basically works!

Figure no 3 Fiber Optic working flow sheet

i) Generating Light Signals

First of all, the light signals are created with a transmitter, which might be an LED or a laser. This component transforms electronic data such as phone or internet signals into light pulses. The LED or laser creates a stream of binary data by flashing on and off in rapid succession.

ii) Entry of The Light to the Fiber Core

The light is directed to the core of the fiber optic cable. The core has high-grade glass or plastic and is shielded by a glass layer known as cladding.

iii) Keeping Light Inside Using Total Internal Reflection

Now, keep in mind that the light does not merely flow through; it bounces off the inner walls of the core due to total internal reflection. This is possible because:

• The core has a higher refractive index than the cladding, thus unable to let light escape.

• Light, when striking the core-cladding boundary at a particular angle, reflects inward instead of passing through. 

Thus, due to this bouncing, light is able to traverse great distances with minimal loss.

Figure no 4 Fiber optic working process

iv) Maintaining Signal Strength

Regardless of how efficient the travel of light is, some energy loss happens at long distances. Thus, to maintain the signal, optical amplifiers are fitted along the route of the cable. These devices amplify the light signal and do not have to convert it back into electricity. 

v) Receiving and Converting Light Back to Data

Lastly, a photo-detector (receiver) at the endpoint gathers the incoming light pulses and turns them back to electrical signals. They are then processed by computers, phones, or internet routers so the data can be delivered in an actionable form. 

Thus, all the above processes are completed at an incredible speed, enabling fast Internet, clear phone calls, and real-time data transfer over huge distances.

3) Is Fiber Optic Cable Dangerous?

Absolutely yes, fiber optic cables are safe, but mishandling can pose a danger. For instance, unlike copper wires, they do not carry electricity, so there is no risk of shocks, fires, or short circuits. However, a few dangers require care.

! Laser Light Exposure: Data transmission on fiber optics is done with the use of high-intensity lasers. Such light is usually infrared, which makes it impossible for someone to see it, but looking directly into an active fiber cable can burn your retina. Because eye damage is painless and permanent, always ensure the cable is disconnected before inspection.

! Microscopic Glass Particles: Cables on fiber optics consist of thin glass strands. So, when a cable is spliced, cut, or broken, tiny pieces of glass can become airborne. These particles are not visible and can cause irritation by puncturing your skin. Moreover, these can also cause severe injury by entering your eyes. Additionally, these can be breathed into, possibly injuring your lungs.

So, always put on protective gloves and eye protection to eliminate the risk when dealing with fiber optics and ensure proper disposal of glass waste.

Figure no 5 Fiber optic cable’s safety rules

! Chemical Coatings and Protective Layers: Certain fiber optic cables feature chemical coatings to improve strength. Such coatings are highly toxic in cases of dermal contact or inhalation. That’s why handwashing is necessary after handling fiber optic cables to prevent the possibility of ingestion.  

! Safety Against Data Leakage and Interference: In comparison to copper wires, fiber optics is far more difficult to tap because they do not transmit electrical signals, making intercepting data extremely difficult. Optics also do not emit electromagnetic interference, ensuring protection for other electronic devices within the vicinity.  

Thus, if maintained correctly, fiber optic cables offer exceptional safety in comparison to other technologies in communication and networking.

4) Does fiber optic cable conduct electricity?

No, there is no conduction of electricity in fiber optic cable. This non-conductive nature makes fiber optics safe from electrical hazards. 

• Why Fiber Optics Don’t Conduct Electricity  

• Material Composition: Electric conductivity is impossible for non-metallic materials like glass and plastic, which fiber optic cables are composed of.  

• Data Transmission Method: Moreover, there is no electrical flow since fiber optics transmit light pulses generated by lasers or LEDs.  

Figure no 6 Fiber optic non-conductive nature

• Practical Benefits of Non-Conductivity  

+ Safer Installation: First, areas with water, metal structures, or high voltage are also safe for installations using fiber optic cables due to their lack of electrical hazards.  

+ No Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Additionally, Fiber optics can be used in places where heavy electricity equipment is present since they do not get interfered with by electromagnetic fields like metal wires do.  

+ Better Lightning Protection: Conventional metal cables are vulnerable to lightning strikes, but fiber optic networks are not affected because they do not conduct electric currents.

5) What are fiber optic cables made of?

The two major materials that make up fiber optic cables are glass and plastic. These materials were selected due to their ability to transmit light at great distances with little loss of quality. Below is a breakdown of how fiber optic cables are made: 

i) Core

Light travels through the core, which is the middle part of the cable. The core is usually made from glass or plastic: 

• Glass: Nearly all fiber optic cables are constructed from high-purity silica glass because it permits light to be transmitted over vast distances with very little signal degradation. Additionally, glass is remarkably robust and resilient, ideal for use in telecommunication and internet infrastructures. 

• Plastic: Some short-range or budget cables replace glass with plastic cores. Although cheaper, these come with a significant downside in the form of signal attenuation. This means they lose more light over distance than glass fibers. 

ii) Cladding 

The cladding layer encapsulates the core. It’s also typically made of glass or plastic but has a lower refractive index than the core.  The cladding serves an equally important purpose by ensuring that light will remain inside the core by reflecting it so that light signals can be transmitted over long distances through total internal reflection.

Figure no 7 Fiber optic materials compositions

iii) Coating

A protective covering is frequently applied to the core and cladding in order to avoid damage and environmental impacts on the fibers. Such a protective layer is usually made of a polymer (a plastic constituent).

The coating also protects the fiber and provides the necessary strength and flexibility so as to not break or be damaged easily.

iv) Strength Members

Strength members are also incorporated in order to provide the cable with structural support and prevent it from stretching. These incorporate are made of steel or Kevlar fibers. Kevlar, a lightweight, durable material commonly used in bulletproof vests, adds strength and resiliency to the cable.

v) Outer Jacket

The outer jacket protects the cable from moisture, physical damage, and environmental conditions while providing other factors of protection. The outer jacket is made from plastics such as PVC and Teflon which are known for their strength against chemicals, UV light, and temperature variations.

To sum up, the main components of the outer and inner cladding of Fiber optic cables are glass and plastic while protecting layers and strength members are used for additional reliability in a wider range of applications.

6) Do fiber optic cables emit radiations?

Fiber optic cables do not emit any radiation like X-rays or microwaves do. Rather, they carry light signals, which constitute a form of electromagnetic energy, which is infrared light. Infrared light is non-harmful and has longer wavelengths than ultraviolet or X-ray radiation. 

Moreover, lasers and LEDs are used as light sources in fiber optics, and while they can be very strong, the light is only sent along the fiber and does not radiate out of the system. Furthermore, contrary to electrical cables, fiber optics are immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). This means they do not interfere with electronic devices placed nearby. 

This absence of such radiation is one reason these fiber optics are preferred in places where interferences in electronic signals could pose difficult problems, such as hospitals and military facilities.

7) Final Words

In short, the technology of optical fibers is the quickest, most trusted, and safest method for transmitting data in a light signal. It significantly outperforms the traditional copper cables on almost all metrics, especially distance and high speed. If you want to buy quality fiber optic cables, Dekam Fiber is an excellent option. Our products are reliable and durable, guaranteeing exceptional value tailored to your networking requirements. So, wasiliana nasi leo!