Overview
Coaxial cable and fiber optic cable, both are different guided media cables. Both cables are specific in their structure and function marking some prominent differences in them.
Before starting our principal topic, let’s have a general introduction to coaxial cable and fiber optic cable.
Coax or coaxial cable is a specific type of electrical cable comprising an inner conductor or enveloped by a concentric conducting shield, with the two separated by an insulating material. Many coaxial cables also have a defensive outer coat or sheath. The term
“ Coaxial” applies to the inner conductor and the outlying shield sharing a geometric axis.
A fiber optic cable is another special type of network cable. It is designed for high-performance data networking and telecommunications for long-distance. It is like an electrical cable but has one or more optical fibers.
Composition of Coaxial Cable and Fiber Optic Cable
Optical fiber comprises plastic and glass and is used to transport light or optic signals, whereas coaxial cable is made of plastic and copper wires and is used to transfer electric signals.
Applications of coaxial cable
A coaxial cable is a radio frequency signal transmission line. It is used to connect radio transmitters and receivers to their antennas, computer network (e.g., Ethernet) connections, digital audio (S/PDIF), and cable television signal distribution are some of its applications.
The common use and applications of coaxial cables are mentioned as follows
- Used to carry high-frequency signals
- Used in broadband internet networking cables
- Used in connecting radio transmitters and receivers ( to its antennas)
Applications of Fiber Optic Cable
Applications of fiber optic cable include
- Computer networking
- Internet
- Telephone
- Cable television
- Automotive industry
- Dentistry and surgery
- Lighting and decorations
- Space and military applications
The 8 Major Difference Between the Coaxial Cable and Fiber Optic Cable
1. Difference in Composition
- Coaxial cable is composed of plastic and copper wires
- Fiber optic cable is composed of plastic and glass
2. Transmission Type
- Coaxial cable transfers the data/signal in the form of electrical signals.
- Fiber optic cable transfers the data/signal in the form of light.
3. Efficiency
- Coaxial cable has a chance of signal leakage
- Optic Fiber optic cable is the highly efficient chance of signal leakage is negligible.
4. Weight
- Coaxial cable is heavy
- Fiber optic cable has a lighter weight than coaxial cable.
5. Cost
- Coaxial cable has a low cost, and its installation is less expensive
- Fiber optic cable has a high cost and its installation is quite expensive.
6. Diameter
- Coaxial cable has a larger diameter in comparison with fiber optic cable
- Fiber optic cable possess smaller diameter than coaxial cable
7. Bandwidth
- Coaxial cable offers higher bandwidth
- The fiber optic nerve gives lower bandwidth
8. Installation
- Coaxial cables are easy to install
- Installation of fiber optic cable is comparatively complex
Coaxial Vs Optic Fiber… Which Is Better?
Fiber optic cable is becoming more and more popular in the world of telecommunications. Fiber optic cable greatly replaces the use of copper wires because of safety and broad bandwidth.
Although coaxial cable is undoubtedly superior to some internet distribution systems, it cannot compete with fiber’s capabilities. A modem connects a home or company to the provider’s network, and the service provided is typically a shared connection, as the given bandwidth is distributed among all users within a designated segment, such as a neighborhood. Here Optic fiber works better than coaxial cable.
Summing Up
Coaxial cable and fiber optic cables are the two most important single transmission cables that are in common use for a variety of purposes. Both types of cables work efficiently for the place for which they are designed. It is worth considering choosing the right type of cable for your desired purpose.