What makes fiber preferable to copper cabling for interconnecting buildings? (Choose three.)
A greater bandwidth potential
B limited susceptibility to EMI/RFI
C lower installation cost
D greater distances per cable run
E durable connections
F easily terminated
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answers:
A. Greater bandwidth potential
B. Limited susceptibility to EMI/RFI
D. Greater distances per cable run
Explanation:
When choosing a medium to interconnect buildings within a network, fiber optic cabling is generally preferred over copper cabling for several key reasons that relate to performance, durability, and environmental resilience.
1. Greater Bandwidth Potential (A):
Fiber optic cables can carry significantly more data than copper cables over the same time period. This is because fiber uses light to transmit data, which allows for higher frequencies and less signal loss. As bandwidth demands increase with modern applications like high-definition video streaming, cloud computing, and large data transfers, fiber is ideal for supporting these needs over long distances without degradation in quality.
2. Limited Susceptibility to EMI/RFI (B):
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) are common issues in copper cabling, especially when running through environments filled with electrical equipment or near high-voltage lines. Fiber optics, however, transmit data using light, not electrical signals, making them immune to EMI and RFI. This makes fiber ideal for inter-building connections where such interference is often a concern.
3. Greater Distances per Cable Run (D):
Copper cables (e.g., Cat5e or Cat6) have distance limitations—typically around 100 meters—before signal repeaters or boosters are needed. In contrast, single-mode fiber cables can run for several kilometers without signal degradation, and even multimode fiber supports distances of several hundred meters. This makes fiber far more effective for spanning large campuses or connecting distant buildings.
Incorrect Choices:
- C. Lower installation cost: Copper is generally cheaper in terms of materials and installation, especially for short runs.
- E. Durable connections: While fiber is strong in some ways, it is more fragile than copper when it comes to bending or physical stress.
- F. Easily terminated: Fiber termination is more complex and requires specialized tools and training compared to copper.