Fiber Optic vs Ethernet Cable: When and Where to Use
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- In this week’s video Don Schultz breaks down the scenarios in which you would want to use fiber optic over Ethernet cable, and vice versa. Depending on the job you are doing, copper cable may not be enough! However, there are also advantages of copper Ethernet cable that you can’t get with fiber optic.
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Video Time Codes:
[0:00-1:06] - Intro
[1:07-2:27] - When is Copper Not Enough?
[2:28-3:25] - Comparing Speed of Fiber Optic & Ethernet
[3:26-3:53] - Comparing Size of Fiber Optic & Ethernet
[3:54-4:32] - Comparing Speed Over Distance of Fiber Optic & Ethernet
[4:33-5:06] - Power Over Ethernet
[5:07-5:52] - Outro
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Most installs Ive seen are all copper and fiber for idf to mdf. You see alot of fiber in big open buildings like warehouses and home depot where the data runs exceed the 100 meter limit.
Hello Henry. Indeed, that is an ideal use case for fiber optic...where the 100 meter limit of copper twisted pair Ethernet is exceeded!
I would also use fiber over copper for anything that really needs more than 1 gigabit of speed. Copper ethernet simply wasn't made with that speeds in mind and it shows:
5/10Gbit Ethernet NICs and SFPs have the same power consumption and heat output of a graphics card.
Cat 6/7/8 cable is thick and flexible as a broom stick.
Switches are way too expensive etc.
For most things gigabiy ethernet or wifi are more than enough, for everything else fiber all the way.
@@qdaniele97 Fiber is for distance. Cat6 is certified for 10G up to 150'. You only need fiber if the run over 300'.
Nice overview.. Thanks
Thanks Keith! We are glad you enjoyed the content. You might also want to check out our Cable Academy at www.truecable.com/blogs/cable-academy/
Would you use copper or fiber for outdoors, 3 stories, to a solar controller on the roof?
Should I worry about lightning/grounding?
Link speed is not important. There is AC power in place.
Hello! I would honestly use fiber for this if you can get away with it. No concerns about lightning with it, and no worries about EMI/RFI either. Check out our complete Fiber collection using the link in the video description! Happy Networking!
I want to be able to hardwire an Ethernet cable to my PS5 from my router and the distance is under 50 feet. Can you give me an answer objectively as to whether or not I should use fiber for speed? I would appreciate any kind of information or insight you could give me.
Hello James! Objectively, use a pre-made copper Ethernet cable (patch cord) that is 50 feet long. You certainly don't need fiber. Buy a Cat6 Ethernet cable and you can achieve 10G if needed since Cat6 can handle that speed under 165 feet. That is the honest and direct answer!
Is there any noticeable performance gains to use fiber over copper for short patching from a router to a switch?
Hello and good question. The answer is...it depends. Each installation is different. If you want 25G or 40G, I would automatically defer to fiber no matter how short the patching distance is. When it comes to 10G it is more of a toss-up on short distances, with perhaps some deference going to one or the other depending on the environment and what you want to achieve down the line. For 1G, either one will work great no matter what.
Most interesting presentation. What about Streaming HiFi Audio in your home over say 10 meters. Costwise Optical Fiber (with converters) is cheaper than Ethernet. For a good Ethernet cable you pay around 1200 US Dollars. But what about the advantages/disadvantages for streaming applications using Fiberoptic. I guess lower (or none) impedance for fiber optical cables is one and much lower noise floor is another. But can you come up with other reasons?
Hello and thanks for your comment. The primary advantages to fiber, besides speed, are near total immunity to EMI/RFI (therefore avoiding environmental noise issues you are referring to) plus the ability to much reach greater distances. Fiber is also physically thinner, requiring far less physical space. Cost-wise, if you are merely installing fiber patch cords then they cost the same or less as traditional copper twisted pair patch cords. Where the greater costs of fiber come in is when you need to install bulk unterminated fiber. The cost and complexity of bulk fiber termination far exceeds the cost and complexity of bulk copper twisted pair Ethernet termination.
wait what, 1200 US dollars? Was that a big typo? I can find the absolute best ethernet cables for just 35-40 euros here where I live, most of them are well under 15 euros lol.
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Fiber optic cables are called Ethernet?
Hello! Fiber optic cable falls into the "communications cable" realm, just like copper twisted pair Category cable does. Both cable mediums are capable of carrying Ethernet signaling. That is the brass tacks precise answer to your question.